Not at my best today. No energy, no positivity. I just felt very alone here and missing Keith so. On days like this I daren't think too much about him. I eventually dragged myself out into the garden late afternoon and thoroughly weeded all the couch grass roots out where Danny had taken the top clumps off for me, so I could put a clump of Rudbeckia in which Pam had given me. (I have 4 so will spread them out at the back on the bank). Shouldn't have watched Outlander tonight - too much love and death.
Anyway, back to the Quilts for a bit of cheerfulness.
I am trying to find the description for this, but some I took sideways and haven't turned them yet. Eyecatching isn't it?
So, another little glimpse into historic Welsh quilts.
I honestly cannot even wrap my head around the amount of time it took to create these quilts. That log cabin one? That's got to be years of work. And the one that the dog 'savaged'. Ay yi yi. Can you even imagine the horror of discovering that?
ReplyDeleteI hope that you feel brighter tomorrow. Grief is a circuitous process.
I suspect a good way to use those long winter evenings, hand sewing by the fire and light from oil lamps perhaps. In some parts of Wales, "the electric" didn't arrive until the 1950s!
DeleteI'm feeling v. tired this morning as I was still awake at 2 a.m. and got up at 7. Will take it easy today.
My heart goes out to you…. Hoping you feel better tomorrow, and glad you got out into the garden to be active, which might help a bit…. Dee
ReplyDeleteGrey skies this morning match my mood. I am going to try a new block out, practice run, though it will look nothing like the quilt I have a pattern for. Need to garden this morning as rain forecast from this afternoon.
DeleteAren't some of those in the book by her...or about her..I must check my bookshelves. Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteIt is coming up to a year since Pirate died... I cannot not think of him...and the good memories together...and how he would be happy to see me carrying on with things he loved me to do.
It is lonely without him physically here, but there are friends near me and family afar.
Yes they are - especially the pic with the cow.
DeleteKeith is always in my thoughts but some days I can cope better than others. I try to just think of the good times, but if I've not slept well I really struggle emotionally. I spoke to two of my best friends today, including Rosie in NZ, and that cheered me up no end.
I am always in awe of the amazing quilt designs I see at craft and quilt shows. The details, and how long it must have taken someone to create a masterpiece is mind blowing. Be patient with yourself. One step at a time. Tomorrow will be a better day.
ReplyDeleteThere are some truly beautiful quilts - some modern ones amaze me with the skills used to design and stitch them. I am happier with the easier end of the scale!! Today was a better day, I'm glad to say.
DeleteDivide your day into bitesize chunks. You will get through it hour by hour. Be patient. Tomorrow will be a better day.
ReplyDeleteI did - and getting out in the garden was a reward, despite the bending!!
DeleteOh my word. What a naughty dog! But how amazing that the lady still had the strips of cloth. Our ancestors never threw anything away, did they?
ReplyDeleteI hope things are easier for you today. Sounds like a cup of tea and a good book day could be on the cards if you are tired.
Looking at the quilt, can't see green in it so I may have got the wrong quilt matched to the description. Great that they hung on to the fabrics used - no waste. I bet that dog wasn't too popular!
DeleteI've read a bit, had a nap, cooked a nice stir fry and frozen some Pak Choi and Spring Onions for more stir fries.
Have you thought, instead of distracting yourself with other activities, when the grief wave hits to pull out some photo albums? try and replace the grief with happy memories. It was suggested to me, and I did find it helped. It still does.
ReplyDeleteI do love that log cabin quilt. I think that pattern is quite possibly my favourite design to both look at and make.
I will try that Debbie. Just sometimes it overwhelms me.
DeleteThe narrow-strip Log Cabin is really pleasing isn't it?
I am sorry you had a down day. I enjoyed looking at those quilts. Yesterday was the Full Moon and there should have been plenty of energy around. I thought I was feeling good last night and then went and slept badly. You can just never predict these things. I hope you are feeling better today.
ReplyDeleteProbably a bit too much energy, as I couldn't sleep! I have been brighter today and been working out and cutting out some of the bits for the new quilt. As I am using a totally different colourway, it should be interesting to see!
DeleteAs Debby says grief is a circuitous process, it doesn't go away. Just gently nudges in the background and you have to make a space for it. But your garden has plenty of work calling out and in that you are blessed, as with your children also.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is my salvation some days. I can just lose myself out there, and be mindful listening to the birds and looking at the trees greening up, and the hundreds of primroses in bloom here. Couldn't cope without my kids.
DeleteI feel your sadness as I followed your blog when Keith was so ill, you are bound to have sad days, and my heart goes out to you. My accident (10 years anniversary this week) means I am very reliant on my husband and thank him and value him more than words can say and I'm sure Keith will have felt that too.. Every Blessing xx
ReplyDeleteI did all I could for Keith, but the caring was so wearing and I am still getting over that. You sound to have a wonderful husband. I think we have both been spoilt in this department :) It is good to have time to call my own again, but it came at a dreadful price . . .
DeleteThe quilts are lovely, thank you for posting them I wish I could grow rudbeckia, I love them. They just do not take here ever..
ReplyDeleteI find I am especially low and lonely after a special occasion with family and friends gathered round. It's the letdown. I think of my mom's face as we left her alone that day after my dad's memorial party. I look back and wish I d stayed. [tearing up here]. Do remember if it helps, you have ay internet/ blog friends to reach out to. I am always here.
lizzy
What a shame you can't grow them. I have been through the clumps of muddy roots and tried to remove all the grass roots I could find. No point in getting rid of grass and then introducing it again! Coping alone is difficult, but I am so grateful for the friends I have on here, and real-life friends. I'm sure your mum understood that you couldn't be with her for long but at least you were there.
DeleteHugs dear J x As others have said it’s a process and one I don’t believe we ever ‘come out of’ more that we find ways of helping ourselves with what we need to get through the moments it hits hardest. Full moons are shocking , E and I were in tears here yesterday,
ReplyDeleteNot great as not long after I had to take her to the station x x. Danette
Yes, the full moon seems to have had an impact here. My only way of coping with grieving, is to try and think of the happy times and work HARD.
Delete((Hugs)), I do hope you feel more up tomorrow. You are doing so very well with your grief.
ReplyDeleteI love all those quilts, so much work went into each of them.
God bless.
I love to look at the quilts and thinking of the talented women who made them. Grief is hard to live with.
DeleteWhat lovely photos - my step-mom is a quilter and I'm always amazed at the intricacies of some of the patterns.
ReplyDeleteThere will be more. Just need to do that first test quilt block and get that under my belt.
DeleteThe quilts are amazing! I wouldn’t have the patience to even begin to make one!
ReplyDeleteI do feel for you and I hope that you have a better day today. Look after yourself and I look forward to seeing your new quilt. Sal
The easiest patterns (just squares) don't take much patience and a cushion cover makes up so quickly. A good way to start.
DeleteGosh you got me there ... I actually thought for a split second that you had a model cow stood outside your house with one of your quilts on it. I should scroll slower and read quicker!!
ReplyDeleteHaha. No, it's one from Jen's book about Welsh quilts. An obliging cow originally!
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