Autumn Musings
Joan Anderson. As this issue is coming to press, Diablo Weavers has sad news that our dear Joan Anderson has passed. Joan was a long-time member of Diablo Weavers, a member of the CNCH advisory board, and chair of many conferences. From Joan’s daughter: “… this is Amy, Joan’s daughter. It is with a heavy broken heart that I let you know my mom passed away in the hospital last night. I was able to be with her and also read her all the wonderful cards people had sent to her home. She was well-loved by so many people and I’m so sad she couldn’t say goodbye to all of them.” For family contact information, please connect with Diablo Weavers.
Cherish The Moment. As I start these words the day after the autumnal equinox, I give pause thinking about the past few months. Covid is still with us after 18 months and wildfire season seems to get bigger and longer every year. Friends have lost treasured cabins and homes and all the sweet and cherished memories with them.
I recently picked up my longtime friend Marie at the airport after a three week visit with family and friends on the east coast. It included a memorial service for a beloved uncle who died during Covid. It was the first time in two years the family had been able to gather and reminisce about his love of birds and the outdoors. Marie said she broke her own 10-day visit rule by staying three weeks, but by doing so, she was able to see friends and relatives she had not seen in years. Two weeks later, Marie died as a result of a freak accident.
Right before Covid hit, I made my own trip east to see family – something I generally do every six months – not knowing it would be my last trip for possibly a couple years. If nothing else, Covid has sharply reminded us to cherish each moment with friends and family because we know not where the future lies.
Inspiration. Hey guilds! Send me your events, projects, gatherings at editor@cnch.org
What projects are you thinking about? What excites you or motivates you? Any UFO’s nagging to be finished? I house- and doggie-sat for my friend Marie while she was gone, and I took projects to work on. I made a travel journal book for a friend, started a Halloween book for another friend and worked on some dolls.
Dead Fairies. My guild, Del Oro, hosts occasional project days we call Cheap Sheep Therapy Sessions. With the plethora of tiny skeletons around this time of year, we had a Cheap Sheep in October and made dead fairies. Or live fairies. Cute or scary. We had a grand time gathered around Wendy’s dining table chatting, drinking coffee and tea, and creating Dead Fairies for Halloween.
Figure 1 Kathy McPherson and Carmen Miranda, Figure 2, photos by C Koos
In addition to the little human skeletons, we had larger rat and raven skeletons. Everyone brought bits and bobs of autumn leaves, tiny grapes, beads, lace – you name it. We spread everything out on a folding table for pick-and-choose.
Enjoy the coming holiday season and embrace friends and loved ones.
Cheers, Cathy