This week moved at warp speed… or at least it felt that way to me! I kind of had a mini-freak out this morning when I realized it was the 7th. Why this surprised me, I am not sure… as long as I can remember 7 follows 6… but yeah. Why this sudden panic? I realized that in two short weeks we will be on vacation!! Yikes!
Anyways, I have two patterns to finish cutting out this morning… so this post will be direct and to the point! Let’s get started!
Resilience —
As in the new podcast series from Sharon Says So. This series is touching on some history that I know little about, and though I have dipped my toes in to learn more, I have miles and miles to go.
From Sharon’s Blog: “For the next few weeks, we are going to explore a part of American history that we tend to learn very little about: the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.”
I am avidly listening and eagerly awaiting each episode. (Sharon has a vast library of podcasts so if you just want to listen to this series – it begins at episode 185.
Inspired (textstorming) —
As you all know I am taking another watercolor painting class this fall, but what you all might not know is that Kym is taking the same class with me! This has provided an entirely new line of learning for me and I wanted to share that joy with you all. The teacher provides feedback each week, but it is especially wonderful to get feedback before you turn your homework in… We have had several “textstorming” sessions and her input has helped me be better. We have both grumbled about the subject matter, and shared that we were yearning to paint some pumpkins! The Painting Gods must have read in on our texts… because this week is all about PUMPKINS! A huge thanks to Kym for all her input, advice, and inspiration!!
Finding —
I am a fairly new poetry reader. I know some (of the more famous) poets, but I feel like there is this deep and wide ocean overflowing with poets I have yet to discover. Sometimes I find a poet and I just don’t “click” with their poetry but other times, I find someone whose words just sing to me… loud choruses! That happened this week… I stumbled across a new-to-me poet (Dr. Rafael Campo) and since then I have been driving Steve mad making him listen to Dr. Campo’s poems. I will be sharing more about Dr. Campo later this month, but for now I am sharing his TED talk about how poetry heals us.
Fall (gnoming) —
I began the October Gnome on Wednesday and it has been a bit of a challenge. I started with a yarn, but very soon things just felt very wrong. The October Gnome did not want to be all grey and dark green… at all. So I got out my “odds and ends bag” and I found some more Autumnal Yarns and that felt so much better.
The hat looks grey, but it is not… it is very tan in color!
The hat is done and I have begun the “body” and I think I see braids (and an acorn or two?) in this little gnomes future!
And with that, I am out of here! Happy Weekend everyone! See you all back here on Monday!
You find the best things to listen to and you’ve hit on two subjects that interest me. I’ll be listening to Sharon’s Japanese American series and Dr. Campo’s TED talk. I love that you and Kym are taking the same class and maybe you’ll even share a pumpkin. I also love your gnome and hope he gets completed before vacation!
Sharon’s series has been so good! I think you will enjoy it as well! (And I think Dr. Campo’s poetry is incredible!)
I am so glad we landed in the same class, Kat! The most surprising thing to me since first getting back into adult art classes . . . has been the level of peer-support, and how helpful that can be. I’m so glad to be able to “textstorm” with you as we paint. XO
I thought of you last weekend when the email for Saturday’s class came in on this very subject! I checked mail a day late, not unusual….so no go for me. (And a moot point to text you, then!) Did you see it?
No I did not! But I wish I had!
I have not known about Sharon Says So and plan to give it a try. The October gnome is going to be darling. I love that autumnal yarn. Best of luck with all the painting. How fun that you and Kym are in the same class.
How fun to be in the same painting class as Kym! And your gnome is very cute – what a fun little collection you have going. Enjoy your weekend!
That podcast series sounds right up my alley — and very timely, as I’ve just been saying I want to learn more about that period of history! I think it’s so nice that you and Kym are in the same class; I always think learning is more fun with a friend.
Enjoy your gnoming this weekend!
I am new to poetry like you and am looking forward to you writing about it.
I am looking forward to seeing those pumpkin pictures. So gnomes have minds of their own when it comes to colours!
I am on my fourth gnome out of eight and I am blitzing through left over scraps of worsted weight wool. (I hope to knit eight as gifts). Hopefully some photos on Wednesday!!