First month complete on tapestry diary; 11 more to go!

I've only missed four days during January with the tapestry diary. Those are the white "blanks" that are interspersed throughout the piece. I'm glad to have the 1st to look forward to tomorrow since I'll only have to weave one blip within a field of color. The growing days of the months cause me to have to think... sometimes, I'd rather just weave than think about how to weave my assignment.

Of course, you say... you made the assignment yourself so lighten up! Yep, I could do that and I may find myself doing that before 2009 is over. But right now, this is a young enough activity that I want to do it according to my self-imposed rules.

So... here's the month of January on the loom.

John Updike--1932-2009

Updike quotes:

Art is like baby shoes.  When you coat them with gold, they can no longer be worn.

Creativity is merely a plus name for regular activity.  Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.

We do survive every moment, after all, except the last one.

Writing workshop this weekend

I'm taking off to the big village of Brasstown, NC, to John C. Campbell Folk School for a writing workshop this weekend. It's called "Write Your Story for Your Family"--here's the description from the Folk School website:

Your children and grandchildren will enjoy reading the interesting and unique story of your life. We will spark those buried memories with the use of photos, keepsakes, and by hearing the stories of your classmates. Learn where to begin, how to organize, and how to present the most important legacy you can leave to future generations. This class is suggested for beginning to intermediate students.

Good thing it's noted for beginners as I'm completely a beginning writer. Granted, I write constantly in journals, blogs, sketchbooks and for class handouts. And I read constantly. But I certainly don't consider myself a writer.

My goal for the weekend is to gain a few skills for compiling my family memories. In preparation for this I've been going through old photos that have been hanging around in the family for decades. This morning I came across a few that I'd forgotten. For instance, this photo of two beautiful women, taken in about 1940. These are my Mother (on the right) and her younger sister. They were sitting in the yard of their parent's home.



This one is of my father, taken in Luzon in 1945--as noted in my Mother's handwriting on the back of the photo.



And, here I am in about 1949, even then ready, willing and able to get into a vehicle and go somewhere fun!

A great day for the United States of America

I'm watching streaming of the events... no TV right now.