Me, Myself, and I on the 4th of July: New Pattern Previews, Meme, and More...

Peony Head Band (one of my new crochet creations!)

This morning I decided to visit all of the blogs on my list (at right). It's been a while since I did that, though it was a daily habit just a year ago. Cara's probably right...Ravelry is wonderful, but it has had a questionable impact on the knitblog community. Head on over to January One and read her posts from the past few days. This conversation is interesting and thought provoking.

On My Fashionable Life, Anna wrote about post-partum depression and her fears about losing creativity and inspiration. Her words really touched me, and reminded me, again, that I'm not alone. I have neither children nor PPD, but I do have CFS/ME -- an illness that affects people physically/emotionally/spiritually. Some days, I feel unable to even daydream! Difficult situation, considering what a head-in-the-clouds, dreamy child I was. Back to blogs, though.

Anna is a thoughtful writer, and shares so much of herself on her blog. Plus, she's an amazing designer, who deserves notice and great success. Take a look at My Fashionable Life...You won't be disappointed.

Coming attraction: "Freesia" sock pattern in gorgeous Shalimar hand-dyed sock yarn

While I was on Anna's site, I came across this meme, and just couldn't resist. So, here are a few things about me that you might not have known (or wanted to know!)...

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago I was working as an assistant manager in a retail store, married to someone who was very angry, resentful, and abusive. With an Ivy League degree and lifelong wish to be a “real writer,” I felt stuck and hopeless. But I started fiddling around with a story, never knowing it would turn into a novel (still unrevised). I had three gorgeous cats and two lovely dogs, all of whom I lost when I had to flee the house for my own safety (literally barefoot) two years later. It was a dark time. [Things are MUCH better in my “new life” :-) ]

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
1. Figure out what to make for dinner considering all we have in the cupboards are rice, beans, lentils, cornmeal, tomato paste, and one can of tuna.

2. Crochet several face scrubbies and start on a child-sized market bag, in preparation for my first-ever stand at the Farmer’s Market’s Arts in the Park this Sunday (scary!).

3. Finish plying the sock yarn that’s on my bobbins (also for Farmer’s Market).

4. Take a nap...I got less than 6 hours of sleep last night.

5. Call my sister so we can have a nice chat.

3) Snacks I enjoy:
M&Ms, warmed up to body temperature, so the inside is all soft and gooey; whole grain toast with jam and ricotta cheese on it; cupcakes/cakes...anything with that sugary white icing; leftover steak, eaten cold with my hands; leftover fried chicken strips, also eaten cold, with my fingers; homemade chocolate cookie dough; hummus with fresh pitas; warm scones; home-made hot chocolate; whole-milk lattes; freshly made chai tea from Teaism, preferably with one or two salty oat cookies; brown rice topped with garlic Gomasio; tortillas topped with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, toasted under the broiler; spun-honey ice cream.
(Carbs, anyone?)

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Pay off our college loans and other debts; buy lots of groceries; buy a house on 20 acres of land, not too far from the ocean; arrange annuities for our nephew, niece, and God-son, so they'd always be taken care of; give my father-in-law a gift certificate for the Ferrari of his choice; buy tickets for every Formula One Grand Prix for the next 10 years, plus many tickets for soccer games for DC United and abroad; travel, travel, travel (I've never left the U.S.); help re-build New Orleans; fund continuing assistance for the hundreds of thousands of people in Southeast Asia whose homes, communities, and lives were decimated by the 2004 tsunami; give money to CFS/ME research; enjoy all the time my husband and I would have together; support family, friends, and philanthropic organizations as much as possible.

5) Places I have lived:
California: Walnut Creek, San Bruno, Burlingame, San Mateo, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, on “The Peninsula” south of San Francisco; Mill Valley, Larkspur, in Marin Co.; Nevada City, in “Gold Country”; Citrus Heights, near Sacramento
South Dakota: Spearfish
Washington (State): Seattle
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia (many parts), Pottstown, Reading
New Jersey: Lindenwold, somewhere in North Jersey when I was really little
Washington, D.C.-metro area: Georgetown, Dupont/Scott Circle, Hyattsville, and western Maryland

6) Jobs I have had:
Communications consultant; retail management; daily-news reporter; sandwich maker at a deli; hotel front-desk clerk; travel agent; real estate agent; knitting teacher; nonprofit marketing specialist; currently full-time artist/writer/editor (freelance)

7) Bloggers I am tagging to do this, whom I would like to get to know better:
Hey, if you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged. I’m that glad to have any readers at all after my six-week absence! Please let me know if you do this so I can have some fun reading all about you.



Happy Independence Day to my friends in the U.S.! I hope the holiday affords you all some quality knitting/crocheting/spinning time!

Me, Myself, and I on the 4th of July: New Pattern Previews, Meme, and More...

More on Inspiration: Where do you find it?

It's been a difficult two weeks. Just that long ago I was wearing sandals...SANDALS! And today I was bundled up in my February clothes.

My mild resentment about this cold, wet spring makes me feel a little guilty. Somehow, I picked up the belief that I "should" find inspiration everywhere, on every day. And I guess I could, if I really got the whole acceptance thing down.

But it's been wet and cold and gray for what feels like forever. Which is more than a bit painful after a lovely stretch of early spring warmth at the end of March. So, instead of looking around me today, I thought I'd look to the past for some relief and vicarious, photograph-induced Vitamin D...

This is the view from the porch at the Albert Stevens Inn, in Cape May, NJ.

Have you noticed that I return to Cape May frequently in my writing/blogging? That's because it's one of the coziest, most relaxing, unstressful , romantic, beautiful, and accessible places I know. We can get there easily: Drive up through Delaware and catch the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for a fun ride across the mouth of the bay (some day I'll tell you about our hurricane crossings!). When we disembark in NJ, our favorite room and a big warm welcome are guaranteed to be waiting for us at the Albert Stevens.The inn embraces us, filling us with that wonderful "coming home" feeling.

This is the high bed in our room, or rather "Bessie's Room."

According to legend, Bessie has been known to let a guest or two know if she prefers they sleep elsewhere. Chris and I respect the Stevens' house and the memories of their family. We're both aware that we're guests in their home. And we've never had any unpleasant awakenings. I believe it's possible, but really, I am quite happy not encountering the stern presence of the mistress of the house late in the night.

The Stevens are all gone now, and the new owners have revived the house to its turn-of-the-century glory. (I imagine this makes Dr. and Mrs. Stevens, and Vesta, their daughter, quite happy.) I know it makes US happy! Jim andLenanne are the best of hosts. He always has the latest scoop on Cape May happenings (theater, concerts, great early-bird specials at pricey restaurants). And she cooks up THE most delicious (and filling!) breakfasts.

In the late afternoon, as guests trickle back from long walks along the shore or a day's worth of exploring the town's many tourist shops and fancier boutiques, tea is served, complete with crackers and cheese, home made cookies, sherry, and (in colder months) hot apple cider.

This is our cozy little bathroom.

OK, I know this reads like a travelogue. But that's not my primary intention.

My point is that, when the days get dreary and damp, making me feel like every thing I do requires a major effort, I can close my eyes and go back to Cape May...all the while anticipating our next visit. I can see the patterns of the clouds on the steel-blue Atlantic the honey-colored sun streaming through the breakfast-room windows; the brilliant hues of leaves and flowers; and the crisp red and white of the Cape May Lighthouse.

The pastel and jewel hues of Cape May's Victorians, the quality of the sea-side light, the scent of salt and fireplaces, the patterns and textures of sand dunes and shingles and roof tiles...These are among my treasures. When my world is drab or frightening, I can take them out, hold them, polish them, press them to my cheek and feel their sleek perfection and comforting shapes, sounds, sights, smells, and tastes.

Inspiring, yes. And encouraging. And hopeful. Do these reflections find their way into my art? I think so...I know so.

For me, inspiration IS everywhere. But that doesn't mean the best inspiration is always in my immediate surroundings. It can be in our memories. In our histories--cultural and personal. Inspiration can be found in a dream, a conversation, a photograph, or a good book.

Well, that's probably enough about me.

I would love to know what places inspire you. Do you find elusive creative encouragement close to home? Or do you need to travel the world to collect your treasures? What role does "Setting" play in your creative process?

More on Inspiration: Where do you find it?