Workshops
Through Vermont I traveled this morning
on long windy roads
and farmlands
past the ravage of Irene’s wrath.
new bridges reuniting towns
so torn apart
to arrive at a fiber oasis
in Proctorsville VT
with a few more than six loose ladies
and a few tricks from my wizard’s wand
I helped them conjure some
great naturally dyed colors
the results were stunning
a bright backdrop to what has been a very
difficult time in their region
it was fun, this is a good place to stop
Six Loose Ladies is open.
Vermont is going to be okay.
come visit.
on my descent into town I stopped to pay a hello to the lovely ladies
in waiting (heifers) at Windyhurst Farm
the farm owners happened to stop by, who I’m pretty darned fond of
and Roger asked
“haven’t you ever seen a cow before?”
with a big smile from him
and I said “yes, but none so pretty as these”
what a fine day for many good ladies
New Hampshire
early chill, possible frost.
the days are getting shorter
our friends are in full awareness
grateful for just another pasture rotation
and a few windfall apples
they know to soak up the sun.
a mid-afternoon frolick
pasture still wet from Irene’s path
meets the fall sun
New Hampshire, Sheep
the sheep know the days on pasture are waning.
they seize a precious afternoon together with pleasure
quite sure they know much more about the shortening days
and the coming of winter than we credit them for
I took some time amidst regular work in the studio to stick bundle and dye
some small pieces for pleasure,
in honor of India’s presence, and saw my
long necked goose is a feeling kinda loose
New Hampshire, Workshops
…they came to know.
our fieldwork with
India is done and it was a profound experience for each and every one of us.
16 women came to learn and soak in what India offered us.
as the days stitched together so did our relationships with each other.
the weather was perfect.
walks in the woods and fields were part of the course line.
and each glorious morning our first event was to open the bundles from nature we had created
and dyed the day before.
here is just a part of one morning’s presents.
quietly…both alone and perhaps with a walking mate we wandered
the paths on the farm, sometimes to gather windfall, sometimes just for mindfulness
there is a large stand of milkweed in the far field that my husband and I have preserved for 16 years
to help the monarchs in their life cycle
it’s always a joy to find the caterpillars getting ready to make their chrysalis while feeding on the leaves. to learn more about the cycle read
herethe days passed, each beginning with opening bundles from the prior days work.
India read us a poem while Luna enjoyed a wild apple
Luna became quite fond of India early on,
in fact she loved the bundle ceremony especially. she couldn’t wait to get
to the workshop each morning!
as bundle sticks fell to the ground on unwrapping she happily took them and chewed on them.
then she would rest
making friends was the running stitch between everyone.
Kalie offers her paw
we shared stories and conversation
sometimes no words were needed
India fetched more goodness for the dyepots
pieces drying on a fence line after unbundling
a bouquet of St. John’s Wort and a cheerful string of marigold buds
adorn the barn to dry
a piece of wool dyed with eucalyptus
after dying our small pieces we started to stitch them together to form a visual
memory of our week
contemplative moments
wild clematis along the trails….fragrance to capture your heart
and as our last day waned, we shared our stitched stories in progress, set out on the fencelines.
the colors we gathered from nature showed the coming of autumn; golds, browns,
some gentle reds and oranges and still tinges of green.
each of us was proud and awestruck.
our farm was made even more precious with India in our midst.
and each of us who came to learn went away with an intense joy and also
sadness that the week was over.
Long Ridge Farm is on India’s wandering list.
a home away from home.
Luna is delighted, as are we.
and yes, she will be back next year to teach.
if interested, sign up on my
mailing list for future information as it unbundles!
Uncategorized
our first day with walks in the woods and fields
and tales from India scattered about as leaves
our first bundles began their simmer
more sharing which Luna loves as well
our bundles are laid out as gifts to be opened. most exciting!
we opened to find some lovely muted greens and shades of brown.
a learning journey of what can happen with
the forest floor, string and cloth.
no scissors needed
another pot simmers with new presents
to open in the morning. I promise to share
a great first day
