Life Cycle

Life is a funny old thing, I find.  One can go along for great stretches of time with just routine happenings, and then, whoosh!  The rug is pulled out from under oneself and regrouping is necessary.

My mother

For me, the rug that was yanked out took the form of my mother passing away.  It was rather unexpected in that her ailment did not seem life threatening, yet on the other hand, she was 85 and not in the best of health.  I don't think there is any good way to "lose" a mother. (although I don't think she is lost at all--I'm pretty sure I know where she is).  We have been consoling ourselves with the mantra of: she didn't linger for years with nursing care, she was cognizant right to the end, she had a wonderful life, and other truths that pertained to her.
It still is very hard.

They were married for 63 years

Spring is on its way, though.  I mean, I imagine it is even though we had -8 degrees this morning.  Spring is a time for new beginnings, trees and flowers awaking from their winter sleep, and babies being born.  Here is a baby that was born just last week.  His grandma came to be with me when Mum died, and then the next week she was with her son when his son was born.  Life is like that.

Liam

Do you recognize the blankie?  This made me smile, for sure.

The cycle of life includes death and birth.  I find it also includes family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers who will reach out and embrace you when you are stricken.  They do the same when you are rejoicing.  

Fiber things are on hold at the moment until I get my creative spark back.  I am trusting that it will come when Spring comes to break the hold winter has on us.  Warmer days, no snow, green grass--bring it on.  I will be ready.

Bring it on!

Frosty February

This week's snowfall left us with about 10 inches of lovely, fluffy new snow.  It looks like winter now, for sure.

Snowy yard

It is cold.  The cold is the better kind of cold now that we are insulated with snow.  Not bitter, below zero temperatures that led me to bring the hens inside.  They are happily back in the barn, even venturing out into the areas that Jeff cleared with the snow blower.  As long as there is no wind they are safe from frostbite.

I took the time while inside to do some much needed cleaning of areas and finishing of projects.

My favorite was the blankie and bear for Ty and Alyssa's baby, due this month.

Ty and Alyssa on their wedding day

Here is the baby gift.

The middle is double knit which makes it reversible and warm

The scarves I had on the loom got finished.  One is in my Etsy shop and one is in the gift shop here in town.

Mostly silk and alpaca 

Long scarf in alpaca

Now I am busy carding up more fleece to spin as I am out of yarn!  I do have a lot of wonderful roving to spin only I am trying to clean out my aging stash of fibers.  Much of what I have are seconds which I have not sorted properly.  I am doing that now, getting rid of short fibers and those imbued with hay chaff that I thought somehow I could clean.   

We had our annual winter picnic.  It was before the snow came.  The day was relatively warm, the snow not too deep, the food and family fantastic.

Off to a picnic

That was so much fun that now I will take time out of fiber stuff to get out and enjoy the snow.  I am working on snowshoeing a path around the yard for eventual skiing.  The days are longer, the sun is stronger and too soon it will be time to focus on other things, so I will enjoy these days while I can.  You should, too!