Getting back in the groove

It's Monday morning, and after a few days of seriously hibernating, I've decided that today is the day I must restart this great life I have. If I've learned nothing else these last months, I've once again been reminded that each day we have truly is a gift and not to be wasted in any way.

Last week, before things went down the dark tunnel with Meika, I was able to get out in the dye room and start dyeing some roving again. It was great fun! I have found that dyeing while listening to audio books is the perfect combination of activities. I listened to Anne Dillard's last book, The Maytrees, and happily painted Polwarth and BFL wool.

The feast of colors after the wool has been rinsed and dried is always the best part. While I know I need to start photographing and reopen my little Etsy shop, I couldn't pass up the chance to pick a couple of 4 oz. hanks of BFL and see what they'd look like spun up. The one on the bobbin wasn't quite as bright as the photograph (blurry, sorry) of the one I haven't spun yet. Because I'm spinning it so fine, the second one will most likely mute out quite a bit, as well. It's great to be back at the wheel after all these months; spinning is truly one of my favorite things to do.

Saying goodbye

Meika Sue Von Rottenweiler
Nov. 13, 1999-April 6, 2011

A true friend who graced us with 11 years of unconditional love, friendship, and protection. While we love our other dogs and cats, I doubt she can ever be replaced. May she play in heaven with all the big dogs.

And now I'd like to take a moment to thank all of you for hanging with me these last few months. I plan to resume posting on a more regular basis, focusing on things of a much happier nature. It is time to start enjoying spring and the season of renewal!

A passing

Those of you who have followed my blog these last years may remember that my older sister had open heart surgery in September of 2008. While it may have repaired her heart in some ways, she really never fully recovered. Suffering a series of cruel maladies, including dysphagia, she has slowly dwindled down to a shadow of who she once was.

A little over a month ago, she was admitted to her local hospital for pneumonia. At that time, they inserted a feeding tube in her stomach, to try to get some nutrition into her and see if her body could once again thrive. It really wasn't successful (she was down to a mere 87 lbs.). After weeks and weeks of ups and downs, she lost her battle with life in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

She was many things to many people. She was my parent's first born child. She was a big sister to two sisters and a brother. She was a mom to two sons, a wife to her husband for 52 years, an aunt to her nieces and nephews, an educator, voracious reader, avid birder, and champion of all things related to protecting wildlife and habitats. She loved sailing and spent many years, along with her husband and sons, breeding, selling and racing Siberian huskies. She was, unlike yours truly, very shy.

Yesterday I told my 5 year old grandson about her passing. He asked where she will be now. I told him she lives on in our hearts, and is watching over all of us. I know there may be more questions later, but for now, he is content with that, and I must be, as well. I think it will be some time before the reality sinks in after all these weeks of extreme worries.

She leaves behind a loving husband, many nieces and nephews, a heart broken sister, and her dog, Max. While we have to know her passing was a relief from her horrible suffering, it's not easy. It will take a little bit of work, but we'll have to all start focusing on the good times and keep her spirit alive with smiles and laughs.

I know she wouldn't want it any other way.

Checking in

You've all been on my mind a lot lately. I've found myself missing you, but I've needed this rest. Life has been moving quickly, and I've been experiencing the joy of a new life and the sadness as another is probably nearing its end.

I'm thinking a compromise will be to post again, just not as often. I see I got caught up in the self-imposed pressure to post more frequently, and I understand now that I should only do that when it comes naturally.

And now, I wish you a happy Valentine's day.

XXX
Martie

Celebrations, beginnings, and endings

It has been a peaceful holiday here in the mountains. Some snow, some friends, some family, and lots of good food. What more could we ask for? December 31 will mark our 18th wedding anniversary; the marriage that surprised many folks who had known us the 15 years we had shared each others' lives before quietly eloping to Santa Fe. What amazing years these have been...all 33 of them. My folks were married 67 years when my dad died...I'm thinking it's a bit optimistic we might live that long, but it's certainly a great goal!

This is always the time of year for personal reflection, and I've certainly been doing my share. It's like mental housecleaning, thinking about the past, planning for the future. I've made a decision to spend lots of time in California, visiting my grandchildren. I want them to grow up knowing grandparents, since I didn't. I want them to know and remember their Opa as the kind and loving man that he is, and their Mimi as the loving and fun person I want to be. I want to be around like family, and not company. I want to be there for them during the subtle changes as they grow. I definitely feel I'm embarking on a new phase of my life, and I couldn't be happier about it. It is reminiscent of that same feeling of excitement I used to get just before school started: a new adventure, learning new things and meeting new friends.

As for endings...well, along with leaving one decade and heading into the next with all the rest of you, I've decided to leave this blog for now. It began in spring of 2006 as a link and marketing tool for my yarn shop. Over time it has evolved into something much more personal, and I've taken your friendships and caring so seriously, I've even hesitated to use it much to promote my little Etsy shop. I've loved being able to share my world with you, and have greatly appreciated your advice and feedback when I've asked for it; it does, after all, take a village sometimes. Having the viewpoints of so many others has often helped me change my way of looking at things, and that has been invaluable to me; for those many gifts, I can't thank you enough.

However, having said all of that: I haven't felt terribly inspired to post lately, so I'm paying attention to that. I love writing, and have often dreamed of writing on a more serious level; I am allowing myself to imagine that maybe, just maybe, by not posting here, I will use that energy to write privately instead. Who knows? I only know that I feel like this blog has, for now, run its course. I am not ruling out posting again...just not in the near future. I need some time to, well, "marinate" on some things. Sort of like starting with a blank canvas and wondering where to start, I am both a wee bit nervous and a lot excited.

So, dear friends...thanks so much for being with me all these years. I will continue to watch your own blogs, and am sure I'll pop in now and again with my comments.

May you all have the most wonderful new year, filled with love, happiness, and health. I shall miss you.

With love,

Martie

(and my editor, Bob, sends his good wishes, as well.)

Christmas in Taos

Christmas in New Mexico has a definite feel all its own. In the early years of living here, I would try to get out and see the beautiful light of the farolitos, not to mention a few Christmas eves spent observing the celebration at Taos Pueblo. (Now I'm just as happy to stay home and cozy and not be outdoors with hundreds of people I mostly don't know, freezing.)

I've taken the liberty to copy a photograph of a painting I found on the internet to share with you. It is by local artist Jane Grover. It's a beautiful depiction of this magical evening. In addition, I'm going to share with you the description of this celebration, taken directly from the Taos Visitors Guide on line.

While Christmas is still a few days ahead, I send you my greetings now for a safe and loving holiday!

In the northern villages of New Mexico, ritual re-enactments of history by the Hispanic community — combined with medieval morality plays known as autos sacramentales brought to the area during the Spanish conquest — are faithfully re-created in distinctive Christmas celebrations.

At the Indian pueblos, Catholicism is intertwined with ancient American Indian beliefs. When the Spanish arrived in New Mexico in the 16th century, missionaries assigned a patron saint to each pueblo in an effort to convert tribal members to Catholicism. Because tribal rituals coincided with the saints’ days, these religions eventually merged.

A Taos Pueblo spokesman says that a large percentage of tribal members are baptized Catholic and that the church service is much like Catholic services elsewhere. The only difference, he says, is that the motifs in the chapel have native elements and tribal members wear blankets and moccasins.

On Christmas Eve, the northern pueblos celebrate this most important Christian holy day in a distinctive Indian way. Most moving are the vespers with bonfires and the procession of the Virgin Mary at the 1,000-year-old Taos Pueblo— a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The drama of the event unfolds at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, amid the orange and purple hues of a winter sunset. At sundown at the pueblo’s San Geronimo chapel, the archbishop of Santa Fe presides over vespers. As the sky darkens to a deep blue, torches are lit, and families build huge bonfires of ocote pine in the main plaza.

Orange flames illuminate the night sky, shooting up spires of smoke. Other smaller bonfires are scattered throughout the plaza and in front of homes. Residents gather on rooftops covered in snow.

At the end of vespers, the chapel bells peal. The archbishop and acolytes lead a procession out of the tiny chapel, followed by six men carrying a dais that holds the statue of the Virgin Mary under a billowing canopy. At the front of the procession, pueblo men carrying rifles shoot live ammunition into the air to announce her arrival. Drummers and members of the church choir follow, and the throngs of people there for the bonfires join in the procession. The beauty, mystery and power of the scene are profound.

The Taos Pueblo Community extends a warm welcome to their Taos neighbors and to all friends of the Pueblo.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We woke up yesterday morning to about 7" of snow here in our little part of the forest. I think I'll never lose the excitement that a first snow brings, even if it does end up involving a snow shovel. The dogs really love it. Our oldest dog, Meika (who is a senior citizen at age 11), is the picture of pure joy when it snows. It brings a lightness to her step and her spirits alike. May we all know such joy.

These aren't great photos...I took them last evening with my cell phone...one is of the moon rising over the mountain behind us, the other from up above our house and the dog corral, looking down on the Rio Grande Valley far below. It was a ribbon of silver, had you seen it person.

I have been really down this week. On Tuesday morning, I drove past the scene of a fatal automobile accident. A young man was speeding to get home and lost control of his car. No alcohol...but no seat belt. It has rekindled the memory of our own Kara (a former Sunflower), who lost her life farther up that same road a few years ago. Senseless waste, so avoidable. My heart aches for these families.

Please have a great weekend, and stay safe. Remember that being in a hurry is rarely worth it.