In 2000, my family started raising sheep. We bought 2 lambs, then 2 more, then 4 more a few times, lambed our own across two decades, and had many ups and some downs. A few years ago we decided it was time to ease out of shepherding. Now, in the fall of 2020, we have...
Directions and decisions, truth and consequences, hellos and goodbyes, roads taken, not taken. The past year, as I time warped into the 6th decade, I have less desire for the destination, more for the journey, like a bloom opening on a warm spring morning, unsure of...
Quietly enjoying a day in my life. One that I am eternally thankful my parents gave me. It was before television, computers, internet, cell phones. The telephone was wired into the wall and it was a party line. When reading books and writing letters transported us to...
Knowing I'd travel a bittersweet trail to the Pacific Northwest, I dyed up yardage in India Flint fashion before I left. I knew I'd want some presents to open when I got home. some close-ups.... In most cases time is a good...
I've been running a bit under the radar since returning from Rwanda. There was a lot to process. I fell in love with this country. Rwandans say "God might visit other countries by day, but every night He returns to rest in Rwanda". But now it's more than geography....
Coming to work at the center on my last day there were bundles to open. It is good to have presents to open before work. The coreopsis blooms smiled at their marks on cloth. Anna Marie had chosen to dye her scarf in cochineal the day before but after seeing the...
Katie and I traveled the rocky road to work with the ladies as usual. I began by teaching how to build and manage an indigo vat. Until their seeds grow for Polygonum tinctoria and woad they will work with Indigofera tinctoria that I will supply. I brought silk pieces...
There is no doubt in my mind that I have felt more welcome being amongst Rwandans than any other country in my memory. They are respectful, reverent, generous of spirit and heart even in the midst of their dark struggles. Katie has introduced me to many of her Rwandan...
Day two the dyework began in earnest. Simon interpreted my instructions for Virginia, the dyer, so she can proceed after I leave with a full understanding. We started by soaking the madder roots, which were already ground to make for a quicker extraction of the dye....
It's been a week now that I been travelling Rwanda. I've met those in utter poverty and chronic sickness, the middle class and the wealthy. Most of the time has been with the poor and it is hard to express the juxtaposition of their complete faith in God's salvation...
