Small Observations Walking With Rusty Pups

We walk before the Day Lillies awaken

We walk past tree stumps

reminding me of those years long ago

when people were talking about insects taking over the world!

Perhaps they will.

We walk past grasses arching gracefully 

from what used to be our veggie beds.

We've given up on veggies

now it is left to nature for the butterflies and bees.

And then of course

there is always the favourite huge stick of the day 

that has to accompany us around!

This hot sunshiny summer makes the stream 

a very inviting cooling spot for Rusty Pups

who often dive in and splash their way downstream

disrupting the quiet, still beauty of reflections!

To my surprise I discovered 

there are tiny rusty critters who live close to the stream!

Everything is attracted to our quieter Rusty Pup, Brandy!

Others like the horrible deerfly really bother her

But beautiful butterflies, not so much!

LET me go inside pleeeease.

Rusty Pup, Ginger, is not a fan of the heat

When we sit out on the front porch

She likes to go inside and lie under an open window.

Close enough to still feel part of the pack!

Sometimes the small observations of daily life

are the most important.

In The Middle Of The World

 

My pieces for

 In the Middle of the World

have been lying flat on two guest beds.

As I started checking if they all had sleeves and labels

they became a crumpled mess.

I loved the look of this messy pile of stitch and cloth

and had to record it here.

Stitches on linen and silk, velvet and damask

all dyed with plant materials.

For me sense of touch is very powerful.

It is the reason I work with cloth and thread in my hands.

Every type of cloth reacts differently

to needle and thread.

Every stitched mark enriches a seemingly mundane cloth

and reflects your own thoughts and feelings

of that day.

When you spend hours, days, months,

stitching large works

you can't help but leave within that cloth a piece of your soul.

I know that Judy Martin is also working on the finishing touches for 

In the Middle of the World

Opening October 2nd

at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

in Almonte, Ontario.

I know that our wonderful curator, Miranda Bouchard,

is working hard for us despite her responsibilities

at Thinking Rock Community Arts

and contributing so much to create a beautiful

and successful show.

I hope you have a day filled with the sense of touch!