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Crazy as a Loom

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Changes

I have been remiss.  I feel like a blogger failure, after all these years.   

Some days I feel like I am on auto pilot, and I just do whatever is right in front of me.

Like the last of the tomatoes.




Roasted with a little EVO and packed in freezer bags, just smaller ones than I used to do.


Adjusting to the new normal.



In other news, Sydney has found the dog door.

She goes out into the dog yard daily now.

Someone asked me if I wasn't worried that she would get out.

My reply was "does she look like she can climb a fence?"

Uh, no.


She usually doesn't go far, and lies in the grass and the sun for hours.

But occasionally, she gets adventurous, which is amazing, considering she has been 
a house cat since 2009, when I found her 5 lb self in my barn, crying for help.

Now, she's just living her life to the fullest.


I'm still drawing, but in pencil for a while.

I am taking a drawing class at the Senior Center, in an effort to get myself 
out of the house.  As you can see, I still want to draw houses.



One of three zinnia plants that the woodchucks didn't get.  Enjoy them while you 
can because soon the frost will hit them.



While I have not been my usual weaving whirlwind, occasionally over the last 3 months, I have sat at the loom for short bursts of time.  Eventually I got through this towel warp. 



I am pretty sure that I have previously done  a post about "Owl Pen Books"......an amazing place 
out in the middle of nowhere.
This is the road to get there.  L and I took a ride.



Again, in an effort to get myself moving out of my comfort zone,  I did the Lake George 
lunch cruise with an old friend.

It's a beautiful ride.


Still, my favorite place to be this summer has been the porch, with a book.
There I can go someplace else, somewhere unlike this spot I've 
found myself in.
And sometimes, it's the best time of the day.




My other "solace" is baking.   I end up giving a lot of it away, but it still makes me feel good 
to do it.


Even before my husband died, I was thinking of revamping my weaving studio, getting
away from production weaving, and trying to narrow my focus, once again.

If you've read my blog over the years, you will know that I have attempted this before, 
but this year, with my own health issues, and losing Bill, it all seems to have become 
real to me.

So because I am a Louet dealer, I bought myself this Louet David III, 44" wide.
That, and my older David, 35" wide, will make up my studio.
Shorter warps, more thoughtful piecces, no 50 yard runs.


Let me just say right here, that putting this loom together was a 7 hour project, 
that was WAY beyond anything that I could have mustered right now.
Thank God for my dear friend, and fellow weaver, Sue, who is totally responsible
for turning a pile of wood and pieces parts, into this beautiful loom.

New looms:  exciting.

Good friends:    priceless.



And that means that this girl is leaving Crazy as a Loom.

The shipper is picking her up next Thursday or Friday, and she will be living in
Pittsburg, PA.

I know you are thinking .......what??   This loom has been a part 
of who I am and what kind of a weaver I have been for the last 10 years.

But honestly, I don't think it is who I am any more, 
or more importantly, who I want to be.






Life changes, and we change with it.  What choice do we really have?

I am hoping that I will find a new passion for weaving, unencumbered by a need to pump
out product.

It's a goal that has eluded me for so long, let's see if the time is right.

The bottom line is:  my life is not the same life that I had 3+ months ago.

I have to find my way, so I have to embrace the possible, even if it's a little scary.

I don't know if I thanked you all for your kind words and condolences, but know that it 
really meant a lot to me.

And I know that you're out there.

















12 comments:

Boud said...

It sounds as if you're on a wise path, recognizing that the big changes this year are to be dealt with, not resisted. It's not easy, and as one who did that some time ago, I salute you! Wishing you a happy fall and winter, with your new loom and new plans.

deodar said...

I have been where you are. It's an ever evolving situation. I still have dreams where I've lost something and am desperately searching - I finally figured out it was a 'who' not a what that I'm searching for. Sadly it never really gets 'better' but it does get easier. My best advice is to go with the flow, do whatever makes sense and seems right to you. It's never cast in stone.

Joanne Noragon said...

Hello, Hilary. Yes, I've moved again. I wonder if the feather will land this time.
A 42" loom is such a good loom to weave on; it becomes an old friend in very few days. No wonder with some minor variations it rendered the post war widths of fabrics.
Branching out, pursuing your other interests, is another great diversion. Am I the only person who laughed and said Tree Houses!?

Den said...

I always look forward to reading your blog! Congratulations on getting a new loom! Wow!

Simone said...

I too look forward to your posts. I am still trying to figure out how to adjust to the changes that come with retirement and being a widow. I find it's a day-to-day adjustment.

I hope you continue to get yourself out of the house. I know it takes effort.

Enjoy the new loom and drawing.

Rita said...

You've had huge changes. Huge. Adapting to them takes time. You are doing well. So nice to hear from you and see some of the changes you are making. Love the tree houses. :)

Anonymous said...

Ich wünsche dir viel Kraft und Kreativität, du findest guten Weg.

Daryl said...

good on you .. and Sydney you are both looking at/exploring new wider horizons ... i so identify with what you are going through - not the weaving - Ray will be gone a year in just a few weeks and honestly i dont love my new life at all ... i am adapting because what choice do i really have? we were married 43 years and together 47 .. a literal lifetime and well being on my own (havent been since i was 27) is an adventure i am learning to live with/in (?) .. anyway bravo to you and hugs

Den said...

Hi there Hilary. We don’t know each other, but I want you to know that I love reading your posts. They are so authentic. Whenever it feels right for you to blog, I’ll be here reading. Hugs from Canada.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Yay for Sydney! She's found a whole other world and I think with baby steps you'll find there's more out there for you too.

Unknown said...

You've been in my thoughts. I've followed your blog since the beginning, great to see a new post and how you're doing.

Good to know you're a Louet dealer! I have a David II, 70 cm, it's a great loom. Let us know how you like the new one.

I broke my hand just as I was getting my weaving mojo back, sigh, hope to get back at it soon.

Nancy

Teresa said...

I can feel the sorrow in your words. Watching you grow and change with your new circumstances is inspiring.

Welcome to my world.

Because every thread counts

Because every thread counts