This dog clearly loves her person and her person clearly loves her. This poor man had so many people taking his photo, but it was a wonderful image.
Sleepy Boy Mastiff
one of the best parts of going to the dog show yesterday was seeing the dogs actually be dogs. This boy clearly wasn't bothered by all of the noise. I am sure he was snoring!
(Back) in the saddle again!
Monday, January 18, 2010
After not posting for almost a year, I thought I should resurrect this blog for the purpose of our adoption journey. Since this blog is linked to our Web site and profile on Iheartadoption.org, I thought it a good idea to actually post something.
We are officially visible to the world for adoption. As of Jan 12, we are home study approved, which means the state of California and our agency, Independent Adoption Center, have deemed that we are fit to be parents. The process of the home study was tedious but not impossible, doing your taxes is harder, but it convinced me that if every parent had to go through this process, our prisons would be empty. SO many kids are just thrown away by their parents, even while still "parenting" them, the kids are left to fend for themselves. No wonder they end up being "mentored" by less than desirable character and end up going down a bad path. If everyone had to go through the process of being asked "Why do you want to be a parent?" and they had to demonstrate they had a plan for how to care and support the child(ren) then imagine how many children would be so much better off! And this is regardless of income, for example a single mom could be just making enough to support her and the kid in a one bedroom (or one room!) apartment, but at least she has a plan, and she is committed to that kid. So many great people have come from similar circumstances because their mothers/fathers/grandparents were committed to making a good life for them. If only...
The point of me posting here now is to put our true selves out there for potential birthmothers. I must say that our Web site and Dear Birthmother letter isn't entirely "us". I will save the editorial comments as to WHY it isn't totally "us" but I want to put more of our true selves out there for the right person to see. I want her to know who we are so she can be comfortable with us and not feel like she has been deceived. Our outreach Web site and letter are so general and generic there is a lot of room for interpretation, so I am hoping to help fill in the gaps for her, her family, or others who might be interested.
I don't mean to imply that anything we say on the Web site is a lie, but we just didn't go into much detail. Plus, I hate that it had to be written so simply, almost implying that the reader isn't educated or smart. That just bugs me! So, I will write here like I wish I could have written the letter and web site.
Anyway, our Web site is up, our letter is available, and now we just wait. I know our birthmother is out there and she will find us when the time is right.
Praise Song for the Day
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Praise song for the day.
Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."
We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.
Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."
Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.
What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.
In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.
(transcript of the inaugural poem recited by Elizabeth Alexander, as provided by CQ transcriptions on the New York Times website)
Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."
We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.
Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."
Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.
What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.
In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.
The slow cloth movement
Friday, January 9, 2009
I just discovered what is not a new idea, the slow cloth movement. Evidently it comes from the slow food movement, wherein we are encouraged to take the time to enjoy the food, the preparation, the aromas, and the complex flavors. Wikipedia describes it thus: "Opposed to the culture of fast food, the sub-movement known as Slow Food seeks to encourage the enjoyment of regional produce, traditional foods, which are often grown organically and to enjoy these foods in the company of others. It aims to defend agricultural biodiversity." The slow cloth movement is much the same, take time to enjoy the process, the fabric, and your workmanship.
It is talked about at Beth Ferrier's blog and also at Red Thread Studio. I think they may be on to something.
After watching the newest Quiltville mystery unfold and not participating yet, I've realized something. First, I like Bonnie's patterns. They are traditional and I also think they are evolving, in that I think her secondary and tertiary patterns are becoming more defined elements through color choice. I did the second mystery, Orange Crush, and hated the results, because it was too busy. I used lots of scraps from my stash, so it WAS busy. Ick ick ick.
For the past two mysteries, Bonnie has chosen color ways only, browns or golds or pinks, for example. This makes for a much more pleasing overall look in my opinion, and it then creates the lovely secondary and tertiary patterns and images. I have already picked my color ways for the newest mystery, purple and green, lights, mediums and darks. I don't exactly know how it will come out, but I'm willing to wing it.
Considering these two pieces of information, if I take my time, consider fabrics and cutting and piecing carefully, I think it will be a much more enjoyable experience. And maybe for once I won't have wavy borders.
UPDATE: Lainie at Red Cloth Studio offered another neato link regarding slow stuff: SlowPlanet.com. Go see and thanks to Lainie! Here is a wonderful post by her.
A few of my favorite (quilty) things...
Monday, December 1, 2008
Machine sewing binding on both sides if it is going to be washed and used a lot. Hand sewing the back part of the binding if it is an heirloom that won't be used as much. Example here.
Recycled plastic green batting for quilts that I don't want to shrink much. Cotton batting for that antiqued look.
Having over 10 quilts finished this year!
Getting some old UFO's crossed off my list!
Getting organized.
Giving quilts to friends for special, or not so special occasions.
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