Fall Back

Yesterday I chanced a look up to the sky as we got into the car to drive to the series of sporting events that we call Saturday.  On a wind that had just the tiniest hint of coolness I saw birds flying in a line.  In second I was a kid again standing and watching as the sky filled with thousands of geese flying south for the winter in a perfect arrow shape.  I used to wonder about that at lot.  How did they know when to go?   How did they know where to go?   How did they select the leader that would take them with certainty to just the right spot and away from certain demise.  Did the ones in the back want to be at the front or were they happy to be led?   The mystery of life in the wild was still a part of my life.

Yesterday, the sight of those birds made me a bit sad.  The small numbers reminded me that the days of thousands of birds in the sky are over for me and my kids will never see that day.  It is hard to accept what we call normal now.  The sky, instead of being filled with birds is filled with filthy clouds of chemical dust.  Gone is a day I remember with a smile when I could kneel on the rocks and drink from any stream I passed.  Now instead the river near my house can look beautiful but in reality, I wouldn't stick my toe in for fear it would erode off.  Now the beloved crunch of a new season apple or the compulsive snack on a grape is ruined unless they are scrubbed clean.

It makes me wonder when we stopped calling it pollution and started calling it global warming? When did the shift become someone else's problem and not our own?  When did I stop taking responsibility for this problem?  As we chat away about the carbon tax are we really considering the issues?  Who would be affected the most?  The low income earners who don't have a tv, computer and radio for everyone in the house? If this tax means green options are more affordable instead of priced out of reason I am all for it.  However,  I have to wonder if pricing my bad habits out of reach couldn't be the best solution because I want a green world again.  I want my kids and their kids to breath clean air, drink clean water, and live on the earth.

In a world where art imitates life this quilt is kind of symbolic of the geese.  Judy has been working on this quilt since last year.  At quilt group we got it up as she is almost finished quilting it.  I had to take a breath as it is so beautiful.

Gray, the color of the autumn sky with hints of subtle cool colours...interupted by the flying geese.  So nice I'll show you twice!

Where does an idea like this come from?

The V&A Pattern, The Fifties.  This little book is rife with ideas.  Geometric patterns fill the pages and are fun to translate into quilts.  We used a ruler to break down the pattern, selected a variety of valued prints and Judy put them together, added her border and will now gift this quilt to a friend.  See the geese?

Another sign of the season...

Rugby.  Now this photo might not be one of very much obvious action but for the me...well...that is my son standing with the ref in his position on the day of captain of the 2nds.  Did I actually know that he was captain until this moment?  No. Did he know or expect that position, I seriously doubt it.  As I stood there on the sidelines and realised that my boy, the one who passes the spot in the limelight to anyone he can, suddenly had some attention he couldn't avoid.  What was he thinking?  Was he in the moment fully realising the potential of responsibility or was he mentally running through the obvious question...."WHAT THE HECK DO I DO NOW?  When suddenly positioned in a place of authority can any of us cope? 

I have to admit that I sometimes feel the shock of being captain of my squad.  I find myself a quilter with a shop instead of retailer with a quilt shop.  The feeling of expectation that I should and can do everything exactly right weighs me down.   Bundle often refers to me as the fearless leader but in reality, does any leader live without fear?  As we get lifted up to do our job can we ever relax?

Lately we have watched women in Australia take the stand and profess their strong held politcal beliefs on many occassions.  I have to say I have been proud to hear them speak words that ring true with my own beliefs. The truth may not always make me happy but it is the truth.   I don't really care to hear mud slinging emotional slanderous outbursts that appeal only to the unthoughtful.  I only want to hear the truth of what we need to do.  I want real options from real leaders that make thoughtful considerations about where we need to go. The sad part is not all decisions we make are good all around.  Sometimes we have to take the good with the bad.  My wise dad used to say to me, "life isn't always fair and you don't always get what you want."  I hated when he said that but it is a lesson I learn over and over. 

 

Busy hands keep us sane I guess.  As we work away on the beautiful things in our life we can gently sift through the confronting issues of our lives today.  One of the things I love the most about the patchwork shop is that it becomes a meeting place where we can settle amongst friends and share our thoughts.  We know we have something in common even with those who have completely different viewpoints.  It would be nice to create this common ground for everyone in the world.

Kim has nearly finished her diamond quilt from the Kaffe workshop.  The subtle hues of the fabric make this a softly engaging quilt that speaks quietly and loudly of beauty.  Low in obvious contrast it has lovely combinations throughout.

Amazing how the pattern is the same but the results are so different.  How wonderful it is to see that we can all follow the same path with different results.

This morning might be my favorite of all mornings of the year.  It is the one where that "fall back" imaginary extra hour of sleep made me wake feeling rested and happy.  I hope it is the same for you. k

 

 

Comments

[cardygirl]

Funny...I felt more rested today too...mind over matter really, or a reprieve from ANOTHER early start! If only everyone in the world stitched...there would be less angst, depression & argument as we would all appreciate the view of another. Perhaps...

[Carolyn]

It is so sad that issues in our nation are so polarised but the good thing is we are able to talk about them. Our little quilting group has all shades of political opinions but we discuss what it means for us and our families. And on another note, I have looked at that V&A 50's book and missed the geese. I will have to go back again because I love those geese.

[Jeannette]

I read evrey one of your posts and in nearly every one see or read something to ponder. I think that todays post was the most thought provoking...............

[Brenda]

Interesting post. I wondered where you were going and it all made sense in the end. Thanks for sharing.

[Meg Hamilton]

I loved the geese quilt so much that I immediately got online and ordered the book from the V&A. Thanks so much for sharing the design inspiration. Good luck this year as "Captain Mom" -- I'm sure you're up for it! xo

[cath babidge]

captain mum indeed! maybe we need a sign on the shop...mo supports the earth...tread lightly all who come here...great blog k

[Michelle @ The Crafty Little Fox]

Whether we are quilters with a shop or a mother who suddenly has her own mother too look after on top of her already busy life we all wonder whether we are up to the job. I know that I do. However we have to just keep trying and be the best we can be, accept when we can't do everything to the standard that we want and just be happy. If our families are good ones they love us all the same whether we are fabulously on top of it all or not. It is the effort that should be appreciated.
As for a green earth... I wish that the world was like it was when you and I were children. Our food is different and even our furniture is throw away. Sigh... I hope that our children learn and improve the care of our planet better than we have.

[Kathy Doughty]

Hi, I just spent a while at your blog. Love the Black Beauty tapestry. If I had seen ones like that when I was a horse crazy youngster I would have picked up a needle. I also loved the video of the lady and the car. How often I want to smack a car! I had a conversation almost exactly like that with the check out chick at woolies today. My neighborhood used to be quiet and nicely off the beaten track. Now they are building high rises every corner and everyone has a freaking car. I bought a bus ticket today so I can escape! Thanks for your comment...kathy

[Ann]

Boy...do you make me think. maybe Material Philosophy should be the name of your blog/shop. You also make me smile. Many of your comments struck so close to home. Is it because we are close in age, kids, long marriages, OK I'm a teacher not a shop owner so not the same professions, but still there is a kindred spirit thing in your thinking and mine. Thanks Kathy I so enjoyed your blog today.

[V]

that gray quilt is fabulous!!! LOVE every inch of it... Always loaded with inspiration... I like the world you live in!

[H]

Oh Dear, I hate to do this to you but I love a bit of politics...... growing, processing, bleaching,dyeing, printing and transporting the cotton we all use everyday in our HOBBY, is one of the most environmentally damaging things that happens on this planet.
It takes 30,000 cubic metres of water to produce a ton of cotton. Plus the use of pesticides and fertilizers, some of which are proven carcinogens, You should be washing your fabric not just your apples.
The resultant pollution in the cotton growing countries, means their rivers are whatever colour they happen to be dyeing the fabric that day.
All of this we condone by buying and creating a market for cotton.

I'm not an 'Greenie', I do not believe in global warming. I do however, have a degree in environmental science.
If you're worried about the future for your children, you may want to reconsider how you spend your time and money.

[angelina]

hello, i just found your site. i love your book!!!! xxxx angelina

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How funny to see you all sitting there is your winter garb!!!
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