What do you write on a birthday card for someone who is deeply grieving? The usual cheery wishes don’t ring true. No, the day isn’t going to be happy. I can only hope she feels loved and supported.
for L.
Images
finished
sweet annie’s
Seen on my walk. If I hadn’t had the dog, and been so far from home, I would have bought a bunch.
watched pot
crikey
This week on Draw With Me we went Down Under. As I don’t think I’ll be getting there in person this year, it was fun to sketch a bunch of Aussie icons.
nemesis
There are a couple of reasons to sew one’s own clothes. In a society full of cheap used garments, saving money isn’t one of them. For me, the process of sewing is itself very enjoyable. I like putting together fabric and pattern to make something pleasing to my eyes and comfortable for my body.
The huge advantage of home sewing is that I can make adjustments so the garment fits my unique carcass (and lifestyle) with no pulling, gaping, squeezing, chafing, or showing more flesh than feels appropriate. But pants …. argh … they are notoriously hard for the home sewist to perfect. It’s all those curves in three dimensions. Every few months I optimistically measure myself, print out a pattern, cut up an old sheet, sew it up, see where it needs adjusting, make said adjustments to the pattern, and repeat. When muslin #3 still doesn’t fit right, I call it quits for the day. And maybe pour a glass of wine.
Then I listen to the siren song of a different pants pattern from a different designer; that one should be easy to fit, right? Something to sleep on …
(Next day): Muslin #4 fits fine. Tomorrow I’ll cut the good fabric.
return
The Finkler Question
This is a book I know I’ll appreciate more after we discuss it in book group. While I found it laugh-out-loud funny in places, I felt that the characters and issues would be more relatable if I were Jewish, or even Jewish-adjacent. As a good proportion of our book group members are, I’m sure they’ll give me insights I am currently lacking. Maybe then I can tease out the nuances between Jewishness and Judaism and Zionism.
Ojai Posers
Local artists get together monthly and sketch each other. I’m delighted to join the portrait party.
not a penny-farthing
I was so curious about this bicycle that when I got home, I called the shop to ask about it. The owner couldn’t remember what it was called, but he said it was a replica, not an antique, and that it’s much easier to ride than a penny-farthing because you’re not trying to turn the driving wheel. He said he rode it in the town parade every year until his kid was old enough to be embarrassed by him doing so.
hashiworks 