“The secret of the mountains is that the mountains simply exist, as you do. The mountains exist simply which you do not. The mountains are. Their meaning cannot be expressed in words.”

As winter approaches, I like to take time to walk out in the crisp, evening air. There is something special about the way night slowly cloaks the Pacific Northwest’s horizon.

The atmosphere is cold but not harsh…

The streets are empty but not lonely…

… and the trees appear increasingly bare as the days pass on.

Just as Fall ushers in death and nature’s rebirth, Winter, for me, seems to beckon at something otherworldly. The portion after death. A quiet hibernation before the awakening of Spring.

Now, back in the rhythm of my daily life, I feel that familiar call of Winter’s melancholic, yet ethereal voice.

“Follow me. Allow me to wrap you in my embrace as you prepare for the year to come.”

2018 brought many wonderful and precious moments that I will always cherish. Early last year, I moved in to a cozy apartment on the Olympic peninsula with my best friend and partner. Through the process, we developed a simultaneously chaotic and peaceful life here. He has encouraged me to foster kindness for myself and others, and I, all the while, love him more and more each day for it.

Through the patterns and routines we’ve laid out for ourselves, time flew by. And, in the last quarter of 2018, I was met with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Azerbaijan, Russia and Italy (as you may have seen in previous posts… some textile goodies below).

Italian Renaissance velvets, Museo del Tessuto, Prato, Italy.

As for 2019, I have no idea what lies ahead.

I’m apprehensive of the opportunities that may or may not be.

I’m uncertain of my own will and ability as a maker, muser, and musician.

Yet, ever the Leo, I hold on with clenched fists to my internal sun, my molten, positive center. I have aspirations to deepen my practice of self love/care, of taking time to manifest my desired direction in life, of playing my harp more. Reading more books. Making more art. Writing more posts of substance and heart.

The name of this blog is “Tides & Textiles” and I named it that partially for my love and interest in textiles. Partially for my enthusiasm to explore their tradition across the world and share it with others. And, partially, in hopes of traveling further, beyond what I’ve already started here. To dig deep and explore my own limits and the limits of this place we call home.

To explore the fringes, the selvedge edge, of our planet’s traditions and people. Our legacy imprinted on this vast organic mass.

This blog is about more than just fabric to me… it is about the hidden and not-so-hidden ties that bind us as humans. How our connection to the land, is linked to what we wear, and how we treat our bodies and how we treat one another.

It is one big tapestry of thoughts, feelings, and actions. A weaving we are all involuntarily woven into. We have a responsibility to each other, to hold each other up.

It is the parts that make up the whole. The days that determine our years and our lives.

So, let us live good lives of conscious effort and care.

This is not the end but, merely, a pause… till next time.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Quote from page 389 of Self Meditation by Barbara Ann Kipfer