For a few years, I have lusted over this craft called "sprang", which is pronounced "sprong".
It predates knitting and is usually done on a wooden frame of some sort.
But it has been used in weaving, and the photos I saw of it were so intriguing I knew that I had to try it someday.
So last month, I took the plunge.
Setting it up was easier than I thought, but the actual doing the sprang motifs was
a lot harder.
I put on too much warp, as usual.
And after I had played with this for a week, I was of two minds.
On one hand I was THRILLED that I had mastered it (somewhat).
On the other hand, I was quite positive that I didn't want to do it any more.
One of the perks of getting older is being smart enough, IMHO, to recognize when
you are done with something, and to be able to gleefully put it aside.
And I did.
I quite gladly cut that warp off the loom, and put another one right on.
Then I started weaving what makes me happy.
Then I hit up my scrap stash of handwovens, and made this vest, which also made me
very happy.
There is really no reason to do things that make you unhappy, if you don't really
have to.
My feeling is that at my age, time is short, there are no two ways about it.
So I do what I want.
I also amused myself outside. Years ago, there was an old whetstone behind the old barn.
The wooden parts of it had rotted, but the whetstone itself was intact.
I have always wanted to do something with it.
So I found this old metal frame, that I have used over plants when they are small,
and in danger of being mowed over, and put the whetstone on top of it.
Right now there is a shallow bowl on top of it for the birds to bathe in or drink from.
But in the winter it will be a bird "charcuterie" board.
It makes me laugh just to say that.
But can't you see it with birdseed, and maybe some fruit and nuts on it,
on a snowy day???
I wish I could set up a camera......I have to think on that .
I gave up my big vegetable garden, but I kept my garlic bed, and it never fails to
please.
My yard is a sanctuary, and when I need it, it's there.
I need it often.
I was walking the labyrinth the other day, and thought back to when I built it.
My grandsons were 8 and 11.
Today they are 25 and 27.
How time flies by.
The youngest told me then that it was where you find the center of your heart. I will never forget him saying that to me.
It's part of what makes it so special.
I think you have to go there often. The center of one's heart is an elusive thing.
Later then.
