Monday 21 March 2022

Tending Winter's Garden

Summer's Dance

I thought that using brighter colours
would help me through the winter months that I find so difficult
and, boy oh boy, last summer was glorious.
I wanted to record and celebrate that too
and forget the winter winds outside.



But then I read Rainer Maria Rilke's thoughts on winter
A time to care for one's inner garden
A time to mend
A time of growth for mind and spirit. 


A time of looking deeply inwards 
Learning
Healing
Reflecting



For so many Winters
I have said I should do a winter piece.
When the word 'should' comes out of my mouth
I now recognize it's never gonna happen!
Acceptance
 

So in this deep mid-winter stitching of the joyful dance of summer's dahlias
I hope I am learning to accept winter's edge
as a quietness
a retreat into deepening knowledge.


Now that this piece is finished
it fills me with joy and rich memories.


Winter's edge was harsh this year
So much so that the Rusty Pups could sniff the upturned top
of quite a few sixty foot spruce


At the other end I found inspiration in it's, oh so shallow, root ball.


There were many days when it was best to stay inside!
Even the RP's thought so.

In May the dahlia corms will go back into the ground
In August their blooms will be dancing and bobbing in summer breezes.



13 comments:

  1. So beautifully spoken in your written words, Penny - and creating the amazing and so detailed artwork is your sanctuary from the depths of winter - a celebration really of what is to come. Love seeing Richard and the pups! Hugs, dear friend. (Sorry about the trees...)

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  2. That's a lovely piece to have been creating through the cold - warm and joyous!

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  3. Such a stunning quilt, so cheerful! and the detail! I don't have that much patience, I wish I did

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  4. oh, and winter was rough here too
    I had such a hard time

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  5. there's a sense of lamplight in your stitching of summer days remembered ...

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  6. That is just so beautiful

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  7. Such a beautiful piece, with your usual sensitive expression through stitch, and what a fine way to warm winters thoughts with summer plenty. I hope your dahlias give you joy this year too - ours are awaiting a little more warmth, though Sussex is pretending it is summer this week!

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  8. startling to be back here visiting after so long, and what a beautiful piece! wow.

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  9. Ohhhh Penny JUST BEAUTIFUL !!!
    (haha, love the rusty pups together like that !)

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  10. Well spoken Penny - food for thought, for sure. Winter must have some redeeming qualities although I've always been hard pressed to find them.
    Another great piece of art which definitely served the purpose of taking your mind off winter.

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  11. the close-ups of this winter work are such a gift Penny, thank you! xoxox

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  12. Penny...I haven't been anywhere near a blog in forever it seems! This is a beautiful piece! Oh the root ball holds so much inspiration. I am hoping next winter won't be as dark for us, only because a neighbor had many trees removed and it opened up more sky/light/brightness, even though it is north of our house. Am glad you are part of the Roxanne group!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment, your thoughts are most welcome.