“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
In this bad news world it is not wise to allow ourselves to be swept up in the tornado of rage. Time to reduce the roar. There is beauty in life and, like others, I choose to embrace and hop on the train of beauty in the form of art and creativity.
I had a post mostly-written that was intended for today, but I have postponed it perhaps for next Monday.
There are times when life wishes to emerge like a bulb breaking through the earth in spring. Life is emerging in the shape of creative pursuits. These hot, smoky days have me taking shelter in my bright and airy office and the open kitchen where I am a maker.
This week I made another jar of sauerkraut and some delicious spicy red onion pickles.
It’s been well over a year since I have been knitting. This past week I’ve been making again. Knitting can be a meditative process but, for me, the best part is a strong sense of accomplishment by making something useful or something I created as a gift for someone. That’s a comforting feeling isn’t it? Whether we knit, sew, write, paint, carve, build — makers share this feeling.
simple slippers for guests
Last evening as I was knitting on my second project this week, I realized I was allowing the roar to invade my room. As I knit, I had the TV on and though there was not a thing that interested me; it was bleak background noise. I’m also completely unable to watch TV when knitting — knitting requires my complete attention. Once I realized I could rid my room of what I refer to as the roar, the moment I turned it off, everything lifted. Though I will likely turn on some of my favourite music when knitting from now on, last evening I simply choose to embrace the silence. The silence was as comforting to my soul as a blanket on a frosty evening.
I knit a pair of simple slippers that will await guests. My current work-in-progress is a lacy scarf made of mohair and silk. It’s likely one I will wear though I’ve made two of these in the past and ended up gifting each one. They make such a pretty gift.
Like our bodies, we need to feed our minds. If we allow the noise of the world to permeate our being, we must also spoon feed our minds with the pleasurable notes in life. Goethe was on the correct track — listen to some music, read a novel or some poetry, bake a cake, arrange some flowers, dance like no one is watching, write a poem or a letter. Reduce the roar; embrace something beautiful today.
Wishing you a lovely week filled with whatever makes your heart sing.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
PS: Thank you to the two people last week who shared those great quotes from a book you’re reading!
I kept the Von Goethe quote on the side of my refrigerator for years when my daughters were growing up. And I think they have internalized it. That makes me happy.
As always, the photographs are lovely.
Welcome back to knitting!
spicy red onion pickles are something i’ve never heard of before. they are just beautiful and the first photo of them in this post quickly became my fav. my husband would love them because he can’t eat without onions or hot peppers : – )
when i was reading that you were knitting i was thinking to myself that it’s times like that when i do my best writing. in particular, when i’m mowing grass and all i can hear is the roar of the mower, i write so many things, but only in my head of course and as soon as the sound is gone, i can’t remember anything. (i know that sounds really odd)
then, as i read on, i got the idea you must have had the TV on and wondered if it wasn’t the news that was too annoying. i can only take it in small amounts these days. just enough to keep up to date but not so much that i become angry.
anyway, loved catching up with you. you’ve been very productive in several of your talents.