Hello Creative Peeps

Hello again, yes, it is me. I've been absent from here for too long--and have no idea who, if anyone might still stop in to see if anything is alive here in The Dresser Drawer. In short, life has been hard these last many months, and while I have been journaling, reading, knitting, writing letters and posti, playing with some collage, poetry, stamps and taking pictures, what I haven't been doing is blogging about it. Well, that is not quite true. I have still been blogging on my hope blog partners4hope. 

Wilbur, the-marvelous-white-cat-in-residence, is as fuzzy as ever and equally amusing & personable (yes, that is an orange  peanut butter M&M he is balancing on his head.) Wilbur helps me keep my sanity. His zen-like presence is very calming--most of the time.

This is, again or still, a time of contemplation and discerning for me. I will share more soon. 

Check the right hand column and you will see my montage of art and creativity books from my Goodreads page. I am currently perusing more than a few books on creativity, crafting and business. If you are interested in finding a copy of any of these--or other books, you can click the Powell's Books graphic and search their site for new or used copies. If you haven't ever been to Powell's in Portland--I highly recommend a trip there.(And, yes, it is true they buy books too, in person and online. There are easy to follow directions. 

This n' that

The last few weeks  have been a crazy whirl of moving from one thing to another. I did manage to start and finish two crocheted cuffs--in burnt orange and a deep pink.(These were meant to be worn on someone's wrist, but yes they work on water bottles or coffee cups as it turns out.) The patterns were based on a free Lions Brand pattern (# 90452AD).
 http://www.lionbrand.com/
I also made a collage coffee cup cuff. If I were upstairs I could mention the name of the adhesive I used. It was a trial run with it and it worked great - dried clear and less brittle than the old collage stuff.

Things I will mention just for fun:

• I am re-listening to Sue Bender read her book, Plain and Simple in preparation for a short class later this month
• I am reading a book a friend lent me that seemingly everyone else has read already: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
• I am totally enjoying the daily calendar a friend gave me for Christmas: "little gifts of KINDNESS: simple reminders to live kindly."  The drawings are whimsical and the suggestions are real. It is amazing what beginning your day with this tiny moment of focusing on some small action of kindness to "the other" does for your heart. 

Home Again

At long last I was able to bring my sweet guy home on December 22. Not all has gone well. It is hard to regain strength--harder still when you have more treatment to endure and some of the meds you must take make it difficult to take in required calories and ample liquid.

It feels precarious some moments. We live in that well known land of 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

I read a lot while he was in the hospital and I carried books around with me. One very nice and very helpful doctor even brought me a book--I kept showing up with books she had read and loved so we determined that we had similar tastes in authors. She brought me a book of short stories by Amy Hempel--who is now a favorite author I now love.

On Christmas Day I began the next book on my list for our book club, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Yes, everyone else has already read this but I am glad I have it to read now. Reading the letters is perfect for a time such as this. A time when my I have short stretches of attention for it. It is a book that makes me thing of many things and many people. Among them is Mrs. Carter, the mother of one of my best friends. Back in college days I house sat for Mrs. C and then later lived with her during my  last year of school. I would have loved to discuss this book with her. We used to have the greatest talks. We'd leave the library after the fire had died down, put the dog to bed, start up the stairs--still in conversation--and end up sitting on the top stair--or both leaning on the door jam to our rooms across the hall, talking and talking.

One line in the book that spoke to me today:
      "The bright day is done, and we are for the dark."  -Shakespeare
The man who spoke these words in the book was saying he wished he'd known them on the day the Germans invaded their island (Guernsey) because he could have thought these words and been consoled somehow, and able to contend with circumstances better--'without my heart sinking into my shoes.'

I think that is what reading and prayer do for me.

The long and the short of it...

You know how it is when the days just seems to slip through your fingers...
I have spent a lot of time on the phone and writing letters lately.
It saddens me when one comes back unexpectedly--and hope it is only a USPS mistake.

My dad was in a car accident the last week. He is okay, but his car is totaled and it certainly rattled him. Not a good way for a trip to have coffee with friends to end--but we are so mindful it could have been much worse.
After all the paperwork, the waiting to see what the insurance would do, then the looking for a new-to-him car, he called tonight to say he is in possession of his second "the-last-car-I-will-own." All this while I am reading the wonderful book, "Drive: Women's True Stories from the Open Road" a truly awesome book full of life, questions, relationship of oneself to the adventure of the road.

Tomorrow we have a family/friend group walking in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Bellevue WA. We each walk with a variety of names and faces imprinted in our hearts. And, we pray for good weather! Never stop hoping. More soon.

Yoga and Fresh Fruit

ripe plums are falling
now there are only five
may a fine lover come for me
while there is still time

ripe plums are falling
now there are only three
may a fine lover come for me
while there is still time

ripe plums are falling
i gather them in a shallow basket
may a fine lover come for me
tell me his name

Chinese Book of Songs

Okay, so the picture above is of one of those strange squished peaches that taste like heaven, but it is the only ripe fruit picture I have at the moment. I first heard this poem in college, then later like many folks I heard it again in the movie "Crossing Delancey," and most recently I opened a book by one of my favorite mystery writers, Laura Lippman (lover her Tess Monaghan character,) and there was this poem staring at me, again. That was several days ago and I haven't been able to get it out of my head--and I haven't started the book so the longer I go the more I wonder what it could have to do with the plot? If anything?

What am I reading that keeps me from wandering around with Tess? I am reading Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo and it is simply one of the more unusual of road trip books you are likely to find--books of people on a journey are among my favorites. This gist is this: the main character's sister, an offbeat type of person, tricks him into driving her guru (yes, large bald man in maroon robe) a fair way across the country and to their childhood home. The rest you can read for yourself or read more on Powell.com, Barnes & Noble, or Borders. But I will say there is some yoga involved and a lot of food.

I will be headed up to a mountain retreat for a week here soon. Taking a few books to read, my journal, shorts and warm sweaters. Always trying not to over pack and to out-think myself and future moods as I let down and eat healthier food, walk everyday and breathe the kind of air we just don't get around here anymore. It is a week of simplifying and release. Ahhhhh.

bloomin' clematis!

This is a close up of the clematis that climbs the backyard fence...I didn't think it would do as well this year since I just did not ever get it cut back after last year. Last year it had a mediocre showing--but it loved the harsh winter and slow spring I guess....because it is as beautiful and full as it has ever been. I could just pull a chair up in front of it and stare, well, sitting on the patio I have basically done just that....My mom is smiling--they were one of her very favorites and if I learned one thing from her it is to keep a large rock over the roots to keep them out of the direct sun....this one's for you Mom!

I like early morning in the garden more than almost any other time of the day...when weather finally permits me out there...I remember it all over again. I take my coffee, a few books and my journal and settle in for awhile. It almost always ends as it did today--with me pulling weeds in with my robe and pj's still on....sitting turns to work and I have to remind myself to sit back down and just look... just listen...just be....the rest of the day will be work enough. These precious moments are for pure inspiration...and breathing.

it is dark lavendar and yummy

I finished my second crocheted hat tonight--and I love it...I expanded the expansion part of the pattern so it actually fits my head. When get a picture I'll post it and you will all go, "Wow--I want one too!" I am ready to start another...it is calming to work on. Now, mind you I really only know one stitch and will someday have to learn more. Maybe a scarf is in my near future.

It was a beautiful day--most of which I missed...I saw some of it out the window and could see that the lilac tree is just bursting to bloom its branches off.

Time for bed and to finish my first Miss Silver book. I know this is fiction--but my word that woman knits fast!

Have I mentioned that my MINI had to go back to the "workshop?" I hope it comes home to me soon - all intact and ready to compute. I miss its sweet smallness.

Did you notice?

Did you pick up on the fact that in the picture in the last post I am

attempting to pull books off a fake bookshelf?

This bookshelf is really a mural on an door at the end of a hall

in a retirement home. I thought it was so cool when I first saw it...I wanted one.

Paul said, we have our own wall of books at home and it is real...oh yeah, I guess we do but still....

Things I have found in books...

My mind was wandering this morning--over the first few cups of coffee and for some reason I got started thinking of things I have found in books--books I have either inherited or used books that I have bought. Here are some of things that came to mind:

• a picture of someone I didn't know
• a pressed flower
• an old boarding pass stub
• a business card-not a person's, but a business
• an index card with scribbling or a quote
• a luggage pick up tag

How about you? What have you found or left in a book?

more books in the 'to-be-read' realm

As they, "For your consideration," or mine really...still pondering what/if anything the 'to-be-reads' have to say about my state of mind or soul at the moment...

what do books have to say

I was pondering with a friend recently...
and I pondered this:

If you put a stack of 'books to read' together
what would they have to say. I guess if they were all of one subject that might say we were limited in our scope, really hooked on a subject--or we were working on a thesis or something in that realm. But what if their subjects ranged far and wide--there is a wide variety of novels, and certainly perhaps an even wider margin for non-fiction to line up against. What does it actually tell you about the 'intended-reader-to-be'?

Being someone who wishes not to jump to conclusions--especially about myself...I decided to start taking piles of my 'to-read-books' and take pictures of them. I happen to have a fair number collected around the house....ahem....it happens. So, this is my first selection. These books were all together in/on the same bookshelf.

More on this again later. Ponder your books and feel free to chime in.

from exit 109

What a day! A beautiful NW sunny day drive to Lacey/Olympia--the Olympics were out in all their glory, traffic was not bad (well, it was 11:00a in the morning....most people had already arrived somewhere.) My friend and I stole away from different directions and met to spend a day walking, talking, eating, laughing, wondering, encouraging, telling, listening, laughing.

We ate lunch at amid the lime green walls at Darby's (the amazing salad is from lunch). From there we visited the Tea Lady--who has way too much fun gathering teas, cups, tea pots from all over. From there to Whodunit Books --all mysteries and a woman who knows her stuff about authors and what she has and if it is available. Excellent place. Then just a smattering of wandering in and out of a few local shops before heading to one of the main reasons for meeting in Olympia--an enormously wondrous knitting haven (and much more) Canvas Works. After sufficiently (if this is possible) sating ourselves in yarns, patterns and possibilities...it was time to head back to the car and off to dinner. Dinner found us at The Falls Terrace with a wonderful staff and table by the window...salmon of wonder and as it grew dark the falls were lit by light. We found reason aplenty to talk all through dinner and all the way back to the my car.

A most excellent day was had by all. There is nothing like having a friend to yourself for the whole day. To catch up, to dream, to consider life and all its myriad of weirdness and to love you no matter what. Thank you dear friend.

(And a book was released into the wild somewhere in Olympia.) Check out BookCrossings if you've never heard of doing this!

my knitting, reading and writing notes

In the Knitting Realm
Well, last night I got back to and into the eyelet section of my Nirvana Shawl #2 and now need to dig out my second skein before continuing. I picked up my current hat, put it onto the four double ended needles and started the decreasing so that is nearing completion. I am still slugging away at a special scarf that was meant to be a Christmas present--except that I started it over once and now that I am nearly 1/2 done I am having the urge to start over again--something about it just isn't right.....

In the Reading Realm

I am nearly done with The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and it has been quite a ride. I will not spoil it for anyone who hasn't read and plans to, but...there is a lot to the book and in the story. I can't imagine what David Wroblewski will come up with after writing this as a first novel. I can't wait to finish tonight. (Even though it is huge, it is my bedtime read.)

My morning read is A Beach Walk by Joan Anderson and I happen to be near the end of it as well. It is filled with wonderful conversations with her mentor Joan Erickson (I hope this link to a video of her works!) Before reading this book I read two others of Joan Anderson's, but now I would have left her second book An Unfinished Marriage till after this book.

Ah well, I am reading other creative things like Life is a Verb and a few new magazines from Somerset : Journaling, Artful Blogging, Somerset Life, Where Women Create, Somerset Sew well, you get the idea...I am letting my mind wander and wiggle in the free room of the week.

In the Realm of Writing

My great accomplishment yesterday was to actually almost finish my Heart Prayers book on Blurb. Right up until I made one move and somehow added a page or lost a prayer...I have to go back and figure it out today...I had even finished previewing the book and fixing the font size irregularities!!! URG.

Great Quote from Studs Terkel

Hope dies last---

"La esperanza muere ultima." Without hope, you can't make it.

And so long as you have that hope, we'll be okay.

Once you become active helping others, you feel alive.

You don't feel, "It's my fault." You become a different person.

And others are changed, too.

I read this in an AARP article today as I sat in the waiting room at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. It was a good article and from an interview that took place not long before he died. In the article he talked about his book Hard Times and related much of what was learned during the time of the depression and related to what we need now. I will be picking up a copy of the book to take a new look. I am certainly one for hope.

Into my New Cubbyhole

Well, at last I have almost accomplished one of my odd ideas. I have always wanted to have (or perhaps it is a returning...) a very small, cubbyhole like space in which to write. To write my way out of eventually.

As I went looking for the Chinese New Year scene I had in my mind from one of Amy Tan's books...I came across this in The Bonesetter's Daughter and smiled:

"Back at the flat, Ruth put the groceries away, set the orchid on the

dining room table, and went into the Cubbyhole. She like to think

that limited space inspired limitless imagination."

If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it...I plan on rereading it myself here shortly. I won't spoil what/where the Cubbyhole is in this book. My Cubbyhole is in part of the slightly over deep closet in my Nook--the room filled with all my clutter for making things...and the dresser drawers full of ephemera for collage...hence the blog name. Good things come from these old mismatched dresser drawers. Words, letters, photos, scrapbook paper, Scrabble tiles, things long ago made from Fimo....and more.

For now, my back is tired and it is time to head to bed and get lost in my current very long read, A Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Perhaps tomorrow I will have things straightened around enough to take a picture. For now goodnight patient blog, goodnight.

Amy Tan and New Year's

I was reading through one of my books on Chinese Art the other morning and came across a picture of exactly this type of ceramic jar. It said it was a traditional gift on New Year's and it was filled with tea.

All this made me think of one of my favorite scenes in an Amy Tan book...I know, more than one of her books has a scene with people celebrating Chinese New Year with traditional foods and festivities. I will enjoy sitting down to go through a few of them to find the one I am trying to remember. That is the great thing about books. The are comfortable friends you can sit down with and get to know again any time. More on this later.

Sadly today I had to say good-bye to some of my favorite books. Can you say way too much rain and books getting wet--other things too, but books! Now, mind you, what we are dealing with is nothing in comparison to much of Washington--and the rest of the U.S. but we didn't need one more thing right now--that is an understatement.

Anyway, what a great gift--a jar filled with tea. Just thinking. Read a little more about Chinese New Year here. It is not appealing to read that is coming year is an obstinate year. Year of the Ox, well what do you expect?

a ghost from Christmas past

An old book...Robert Burns Complete Poetical Works...given on Christmas of 1899 by my great uncle Jack to his aunt Hattie....leather bound, well loved, a treasured present no doubt (the family origins are Scottish you see.)

It makes one think about what our descendants might find in the category of well loved treasures and what they might deduce from what they find?

In any case, this is still a treasure in my life--reminding me as it does of these two people, one I knew well, the other just barely.

random thoughts on a snowy day

• the morning was weirdly blue and dark
• leftover chicken soup -yum on a cold day
• working from home-yeah!
• watching the snow flurries do their flurry-ing all day
• birdies at recess around the feeder in the back yard-so glad I filled it yesterday
• fire in the fireplace this evening
• waffles for dinner
• watched a new show via hulu tonight called "Fringe"--a recommendation by SRB
• took my own recess off and on today and continued to look for my 'little blue book' with all my computer sites, passwords in it--the downfall of being so careful when moving my desk and all last Saturday
• loving my morning book, "A Year by the Sea" by Joan Anderson (I knew I would which is why I put off reading it for so long--that doesn't sound right, but I know what I mean)
• I stood in the nook--even dug out my polaroid and took a few pictures today to see if it was still working--yippee!

to be inspired

So, here is a bit off the top of my current soul food reading stack:

• the new Artful Blogging from Somerset Studio


• A Mystic Garden by Gunilla Norris (set up by seasons I have reached the Autumn section...I've been savoring it slowly)


• Riding the Dragon by Robert J. Wicks (I am starting this one all over again)


• Knitting Heaven and Earth by Susan Gordon Lydon (reading this for the second time around and savoring it slowly and knitting all the while)


• Collected Poems by Wendell Berry (this is a favorite in our house...it was just time to pick it up and browse again)


• The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Greenlaw (this is one of those golden moments in a bookstore...found it in the travel writing section and could not resist it...reading a chapter a day in the morning and it is true discipline to put it down...it is so good)

Two Fav Places

I visited two of my favorite places the other day. First I went to Fusion Beads and picked out some needed charms for a scarf I've been working on for my niece. Of course, once I found the charms I wandered all over the store--lost in the rainbow of beads, good music and fun store people. As usual I found a bit more than I intended, but I reminded myself that we no longer have a bead store in Kent and gas being what it is...better to make one trip.

From Fusion Beads I drove around the block and parked directly across the street at The Episcopal Bookstore. This is a wonderful place for books and art for the soul. Here, again I was cradled in good music, delights for the eyes, heart and mind, and a needed moment to touch base with two wonderful people--John & Nancy, friends of the heart and journey.