Thinking out loud…
There is what you do, and what you think you should do…where you are, and where you think you should be…who you are, and who you think you should be. Well, at least that’s the stuff that bosses me around in my unsuspecting moments. I blame it on a strong work ethic, learned from a long line of hard working people in hard times.
As a kid, I wondered about things a lot. My brain was very busy thinking, figuring out things, watching. I felt I could almost go unseen and slip into the natural world quietly and peacefully, but alert and observing. I could lose myself in a world of books borrowed from the mobile library that regularly visited our street. In our household, this looked like inactivity, laziness, time wasting, shirking. So I took to going off by myself where I could be out of sight.
That was then, but I certainly internalized all that, and I still prod myself in the same way. I’ve noticed this a lot since retirement. Having the time to ponder, taking the time to ponder brings up an internal tug of war—this is what I want to do, but that is what I should be doing.
The difference now is that I do not accept the self-bullying. I hear it, but I don’t give in to it. I know it is what we actually do that matters. It is what I do that shows me where I am going. As an artist, I have learned to trust this, trust myself—though not without a lot of internal questioning.
Right now I am following my instincts to explore. I notice that it sure seems to involve a lot of yarn and knitting and fabric building. My thoughts are beginning to turn to what this might be leading to, but it still feels too soon to jump in and nail down.
I have a lot of questions for myself, and I want to learn how to do so many things that I keep being happily pulled along in the current.
I am thoroughly enjoying making stuff! I currently have 5 knitting projects to hand—all working with something new to me—fiber, techniques, design or color. I switch back and forth as the spirit moves me, slowly making progress. Some projects allow my mind to roam, some require intense focus, and some just feel good in my hands. I am watching fabric build in my hands. And at the end of it, there is something produced, to use, to wear, something made.
I have started knitting socks recently! I have thought of you when I pick up the needles.
I chuckle because when I saw you knitting at QBL and Alegre, I thought how my knitting days were over! I was wrong it was just a break.
It kinda sneaks up you, doesn’t it? Our hands just want to make stuff!
I could sit for days and look at the view of the river! I know a little knitting and crocheting, have lots of yarns (have a rigid heddle loom) and have been looking at free style! I little switch from thinking about fabric.
The love of fiber! It’s contagious, and a heck of a lot of fun. Cheers!
Cynthia, as always, I love reading your blog. Bits of it always resonate. “Should” is such a bossy force in the universe (and our heads). It has the power to suck the joy out of wonderful pursuits. I’m so glad you’re loving make things and exploring.
Thank you, Linda! I am so pleased to know you are coming by for visits! Always good connections with you.