Lately, we’ve been all about presents around here. Presents for new puppies, new babies and old birthdays. I’ve been monopolizing a lot of time with my new main man, Ari, who is just over 8 weeks.
I was also extremely lucky to spend time with a genealogy book my grandmother made that goes back to the 1600s! So, along with new things, I’ve been hanging out with a few old things, too.
It’s amazing what new projects and ideas you can spark by changing your focus, even if for only a few minutes. Playing with Ari in the backyard, watching him play with his favorite toy (a giant warthog!) makes me think about being a little kid and how everything was new and exciting and things like stairs are the coolest thing ever. And these old photos have reminded me of histories and stories and fancy dresses and new discoveries in the world that must have delighted my family members on a regular basis.
What can inspire you that you might be overlooking? What does inspire you? I also have a new reading list of some amazing historical and textile things, but it will have to wait til later, my grandmother, lunch and new (yet old) stories await.
Sometimes I forget to turn off the radio or click off the tv, finding myself inundated with news almost constantly somewhere in the background. I want to know what’s happening, when it’s happening and whom it’s happening to. I want to know what’s going on outside my little bubble and love being aware of the events of the globe, even though many times I do not love the events themselves. The stories of war and death and sadness are always fitted around snippets of pop culture or live interviews with people on the street to soften our reality.
In these moments of turning media off, I often find myself really, truly appreciating what I find in its absence. A conversation over a cup of coffee, a nostalgic game of Battleship, hanging out with my cat, cheering at a basketball game. These moments that we take for granted become technicolor once we stop to feel the warmth of the mug or the sound of a cat’s purr or the way your feet inexplicably stick to the floor in giant stadiums.
I think that somehow in just enjoying the day-to-day activities of our lives, the moments that seem ordinary, we honor the struggles of those in other parts of the world. We realize that there is nothing to be taken for granted in the seemingly rote and routine parts of our days and enjoy them in the stillness when our radios and televisions are clicked off.
After we’ve soaked in the familiar parts of our daily activities, we can turn the radio or television on or pick up the paper. For in caring about what happens outside our individual bubbles, we are one step closer to being part of true change. In going from our private lives into better understanding the lives of others, we recognize that everyone deserves these tiny moments of joy, love and relaxation. Honoring the everyday can bring us closer to those that seem so distant or different, because we realize what it means to be free. We realize our work isn’t done once we know the facts, so we begin to dialogue and create and learn, looking for ways to make their days just as simple and as boring and as delicious as our own.
Not too long ago, I wrote how happy I was to see Afghan women out protesting a new marriage law. But…wait a minute, don’t I always talk about how crafting your protest is more poignant than yelling your protest? Well, I do think there is one reason to take to the streets…and that’s when your government doesn’t allow you to. (You can read more about that here. In those instances, getting out in the street and marching is vital to showing how unjust you think things are or how, you too, will not stand for such treatment. As for the violence that sometimes ensues? There’s no excuse for destruction.
Like many people, I have been captivated by the recent events in Iran. Although I know it’s another video, I also know that this one is really important to have a look at. It’s a collection of the photos from Iran over the past few days. While there’s music at the beginning, I think the video grows stronger towards the end when you’re forced to look at the chaos and anger and frustration in silence.
One of the most amazing things about these protests is that despite governmental crackdowns on journalists, people are using the web to get their voices heard. Check out the Twitter feed for the phrase “Iran election.” The photo below was taken from that feed. Incredible. Terrible. Sad. Hopeful. All in one.
Sometimes when you look around and read about countries in distress, unjust governments, kids who kill cats and frustrating foreign policy, you have to surrender yourself to kindness and beauty and love so you don’t crumble from the weight of it all. The other week my friend Kylee and I went on a roadtrip through eastern North Carolina: through Tarboro, lunch at Dick Hot Dog’s Stand, Vollis Simpson’s whirligigs, lots of roadside cemeteries in the middle of fields, Hills of Snow and a complete tour of Shadowhawk.
Here’s a lovely video of Mr. Simpson’s work by Neal Hutcheson of Sucker Punch Pictures. I love the way the sound is so perfectly captured and the details of his whirligigs explored.
Along the way, we were lucky enough to meet Mr. Simpson and get a full tour of Shadowhawk by Wild Bill. Vollis Simpson makes the most beautiful whirligigs in Lucama, North Carolina that seem to pop out of nowhere. He was kind enough to let us walk through his workshop full of bits of metal waiting to be turned and twisted and run on the wind. Shadowhawk is a backyard Western town built by “Wild Bill” Drake. After 30 years of being in westerns (including a recurring part as the town drunk in Gunsmoke), he married his agent, came back east and built Shadowhawk in his own backyard.
Listening to both men talk about their creations was inspiring, lovely and well, true. In a world of war and famine and horror and violence, spending an afternoon with two men making masterpieces in their backyards was just what we needed. Taking a step back away from computers and cell phones, we followed our maps and wondered what our next destination would bring. For more photos of our trip, click over here.
Actually, there are 4 of these days coming up! June 13th, June 14th, June 20th, and June 21st. It’s been changed to two weekends this year because The National NeedleArts Association trade show is happening this weekend and some people would like to do both events.
Starting next year, Worldwide Knit in Public Day will be on the 3rd weekend in June, so as to not interfere with TNNA, which is held on the 2nd weekend in June. If you’re curious to see what past events held on WWKIP Day were like, there is a great gallery of photos over here on Flickr.
If you’re looking for somewhere in your area that is holding a WWKIP event, there is a list of them here.
What could you knit for good this WWKIP Day? Remember the quick knits like baby garments or group together with your friends and knit squares for a blanket. Have some other ideas or know about any new charities? Please let me know!
