the backs of things

the-backs-of-things

sometimes the backs of these little embroideries are more interesting to me than the fronts. all the little “mistakes” the threads that have managed to escape and knot themselves up are clearly visible and unfixable unless i want to tear the whole thing out and mostly i don’t ever want to do that.

unless i’m knitting in which case i think nothing of unraveling hours of work, it doesn’t matter because it was never the “getting there” i was after with the knitting.

the little threads that connect one line to another are all visible. where i started and stopped, where i jumped, where i changed stitch patterns.  it’s the truth of it but it’s the part that isn’t supposed to be seen.

the backs of things

the-backs-of-things

sometimes the backs of these little embroideries are more interesting to me than the fronts. all the little “mistakes” the threads that have managed to escape and knot themselves up are clearly visible and unfixable unless i want to tear the whole thing out and mostly i don’t ever want to do that.

unless i’m knitting in which case i think nothing of unraveling hours of work, it doesn’t matter because it was never the “getting there” i was after with the knitting.

the little threads that connect one line to another are all visible. where i started and stopped, where i jumped, where i changed stitch patterns.  it’s the truth of it but it’s the part that isn’t supposed to be seen.

so close…

taichi

if i were going to san francisco today i’d stay at the tomo and have lunch at cha-ya (AND saigon sandwich), i’d hit all my favorite thrift stores, have a thai massage and sit and watch tai chi in the park.
as it stands i don’t see an opening for a getaway until next year! which sounds so far away but in reality is just a blink.

until then…

so close…

taichi

if i were going to san francisco today i’d stay at the tomo and have lunch at cha-ya (AND saigon sandwich), i’d hit all my favorite thrift stores, have a thai massage and sit and watch tai chi in the park.
as it stands i don’t see an opening for a getaway until next year! which sounds so far away but in reality is just a blink.

until then…

journal page

journal-page

one of the things i like about making these little impromptu collages is the surprise i feel when i look at them later.  something unexpected is revealed.  it’s one of the things i like about getting older too.  the eyes are going, that’s a nuisance, but things are revealed. 

journal page

journal-page

one of the things i like about making these little impromptu collages is the surprise i feel when i look at them later.  something unexpected is revealed.  it’s one of the things i like about getting older too.  the eyes are going, that’s a nuisance, but things are revealed. 

journal page

journal-page

one of the things i like about making these little impromptu collages is the surprise i feel when i look at them later.  something unexpected is revealed.  it’s one of the things i like about getting older too.  the eyes are going, that’s a nuisance, but things are revealed.

shadows

best-thing-on-tv

we don’t have cable anymore or dish network. we do get netflix and we love it. we watch what we want with no commercial interruptions. only ice cream or other dessert interruptions and for the dishwasher frequent i can’t sit still in my pants anymore interruptions. but sometimes (like last night) the best thing on the tv are the shadows.

shadows

best-thing-on-tv

we don’t have cable anymore or dish network. we do get netflix and we love it. we watch what we want with no commercial interruptions. only ice cream or other dessert interruptions and for the dishwasher frequent i can’t sit still in my pants anymore interruptions. but sometimes (like last night) the best thing on the tv are the shadows.

moon day

According to the Ashtanga Yoga tradition…

The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.

today is a new moon. 0% of full.

and i am most definitely disinclined towards any physical exertion other than eating.  of course. for some reason my appetite is never adversely affected by illness or stress or anything.  i can always eat.  and luckily there is still some of the dishwasher’s super fabulous chicken soup for the soul left.  

no yoga today but the bulldog needs walking. she’s already giving me the eye.





 a stitchery i finished yesterday

moon-day

moon day

According to the Ashtanga Yoga tradition…

The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.

today is a new moon. 0% of full.

and i am most definitely disinclined towards any physical exertion other than eating.  of course. for some reason my appetite is never adversely affected by illness or stress or anything.  i can always eat.  and luckily there is still some of the dishwasher’s super fabulous chicken soup for the soul left.  

no yoga today but the bulldog needs walking. she’s already giving me the eye.





 a stitchery i finished yesterday

moon-day

flattened

flattened

woke up with an evil sore throat the other day and it turns out that was the easy part.  my eyeballs hurt, specifically the backs of my eyeballs.  luckily the dishwasher makes the most excellent chicken soup known to man.  and he bought me a slanket.

flattened

flattened

woke up with an evil sore throat the other day and it turns out that was the easy part.  my eyeballs hurt, specifically the backs of my eyeballs.  luckily the dishwasher makes the most excellent chicken soup known to man.  and he bought me a slanket.

the Monk’s necklace

monk necklace

my friend the Venerable Monk Ben Kong makes the most amazing necklaces i’ve ever seen. he uses a macrame knotting method that makes them surprisingly strong. he’s been beading in this manner for many years, makes them from beads donated to him from his friends and congregation from his temple in ny. he has a wide wide wide circle of friends from all over creation and everyone donates beads and baubles that he adds to these works that he then gives away. if you give him beads he’ll then ask you your two favorite colors and your favorite number and from this he creates a necklace for you. each one takes a long time to make and i marvel that he gets more than one done a year. he works on more than one at a time as well as keeping a full schedule at the temple and studying and translating. he’s fluent in mandarin. he’s also nutty as a squirrel, his most endearing quality. he visits with us every year and we always look forward to having him here.
if you’re in ny and want to buy a Buddhist monk some pancakes, he’s your man.

monk necklace close up

ben kong necklace

the Monk’s necklace

monk necklace

my friend the Venerable Monk Ben Kong makes the most amazing necklaces i’ve ever seen. he uses a macrame knotting method that makes them surprisingly strong. he’s been beading in this manner for many years, makes them from beads donated to him from his friends and congregation from his temple in ny. he has a wide wide wide circle of friends from all over creation and everyone donates beads and baubles that he adds to these works that he then gives away. if you give him beads he’ll then ask you your two favorite colors and your favorite number and from this he creates a necklace for you. each one takes a long time to make and i marvel that he gets more than one done a year. he works on more than one at a time as well as keeping a full schedule at the temple and studying and translating. he’s fluent in mandarin. he’s also nutty as a squirrel, his most endearing quality. he visits with us every year and we always look forward to having him here.
if you’re in ny and want to buy a Buddhist monk some pancakes, he’s your man.

monk necklace close up

ben kong necklace