Hot, it’s hot. It’s been hot for days, but I think it just hit me. The grass is turning brown and is sharp on my bare feet. The animals aren’t moving, just standing or laying around in the shade. I could learn from them. But I have a list, a wonderful list of people who want streaming pillows and wall hangings. These last two I’ve done are from April and I’m just getting to them now. It’s good people are patient.
Seeing Set Me Free is for Cindy. She’s seeing more and more after eye surgery, watching her dreams come true, her world light up. Cindy has been buying my work for a long time. She’s one of those women who changed her life, and found a good man. I’m finding there are so many women out there who have done the same.
A few years ago I didn’t believe there were any nice men in the world, and I had a dog who agreed with me. Frieda doesn’t like men, I would say with a smile. I couldn’t help it, I felt so safe with a dog who felt the way I did. A big, strong, scary dog to protect me.
But when I changed, my world changed. Now, so many women write to me (usually it’s the second marriage, after they learned) that they have good men in their lives. And I believe it, because I live it. And I know it makes the world a better place.
I didn’t get to finish Cindy’s wall hanging today. Just a small space to fill, but I didn’t want to rush it, I don’t have the energy and I finally listened to the animals, soon I’ll be laying around, reading my book in the shade.
I am a lefty and never have had a stylish handwriting or perfect printing … what is you secret for keeping your “sewn” words in straight lines and so well formed!… I AM creative though and enjoy free motion quilting.
I think it’s that the machine slows me down Joan, and I get into the zone and it just comes. I also think, that over the years with different work I’ve done, I’ve gotten a natural spacing and pacing that I sometimes wish I didn’t have when I’m trying to be more random. My handwriting is often hard to read.
Maria=
I’m one of the lucky ones. I found a good man the first time around. Hope you and Jon find the right person for the farm. It only takes one. We put our house on the market about the same time you did and this is just about the time we had a contract so you will be in my thoughts. It’s wonderful and scary to make a move.
Jill
Oh Maria, This is more glorious than I could ever imagine. Thank you for the sweet words also. Further comment fails me right now. My eyes are full of tears. 🙂
Thank you Cindy
Maria – Can you send some of the ‘hot’ to the UK as we have had none at all this year – it is just wet, wet wet! Melanie
Lets do a trade Melanie
I’m another woman who spent 25 years with a selfish, belittling man. I believed there was no such thing as a decent, gentle man. I took stock of my life and left my marriage. And now I’m married to a man who is one of the most sensitive and caring people I’ve ever known. Change is possible if you listen to your instincts and resolve to take a leap of faith. Thanks for writing about this today, Maria.
i AM ONE OF THOSE THAT FOUND JOY WITH ENDING A FIRST MARRIAGE AND FINDING MY OWN MISSION IMPOSSIBLE MAN. HE HAS BEEN THERE WITH ME WHENMY mOM DIED. HE HELD ME TIGHT AND WOULDN’ LET ME LOOSE MY MIND WHEN MY DAUGHTER DIED LAST SUMMER. HE HELD MY HAND AND TALKED TO ME WHEN i HAD 2 HEART ATTACKS AND A STROKE IN UNDER A YEAR. taKES A HUGE WONDERFUL MAN TO DO ALL HE’S DONE FOR ME.
Maria,
What a spectacular display of art ! What a wonderful and beautiful tribute to Cindy whom I love dearly.The story you wrote that goes along with it is very touching.Takes your breath away,takes your troubles away :).Thank you,
Ron.
Thank you Ron, for being one of the nice men.
This speaks to me. The work and your words.
I am still very much in the space that you describe being in with Frieda, although my dogs tend to like nice men – so that’s a start.
I’m in a transitional place in my life – a bit scary – but I am trusting my instincts to make work as an artist, be a kind and generous person. The rest will come.
I know Christine, trusting our instincts should be the easiest thing to do, and yet… but I know the more I do it, the easier it gets. And I too remind myself not to be small.
Maria, you know you can put me in the pile of ‘women who got it right the second time’.
Beautiful pillow! Have you ever considered a video of you at work? I would love to see how it’s done.
I’ve thought about it Holly, It’s a good idea.
Maria,
i love, love, love this streaming piece. I will be patient. I still have hope that I will find a good man, and I love my dog, who happens to love men. I thought that I had found someone in my second marriage, but it decided not to love me back and that is painful. But I still have hope. To quote Monty Python, “I’m not dead yet!”
It sounds like you have it all going for you, Lisa. You’re man is out there.
A video demonstration would be fantastic.
Couldn’t Jon’s UK publishers invite him to the UK for a book promotion and you come to demonstrate your exceptional needlework talents?
Wouldn’t that be nice Melanie!