Do we all strive for some form of immortality I wonder. Maybe not.
I've known some who scurry around inconspicuously, making time in quiet civil service type pensionable jobs, dreaming of days in future senior years of endless travel, mainly effortless cruises with none of that strange local food, thank you very much. Abroad with very little interest, if at all, in immersing themselves in local culture and peoples. There to merely group-shop and possibly summoning up enough energy to haggle with the local vendors, then scurrying back to the safety of the ship clutching shell laden gew-gaws to strew on those loved ones back home. Safe. Detached.
Then again, us more creative types or perhaps with less monetary choices, struggle on in our garrets: blogging, writing, painting, photographing, weaving, knitting, lace-making. I suppose it is an unconscious yearning for immortality. Who shall stumble upon my written ramblings and discourses, my now vast repertoire of knitted pieces, my photo-cards? Or not.
I have mementoes from my friends on my walls. Needlepoint, photos, paintings. Pottery. A wooden bowl. Not many. But it is in these I catch their spirits as I walk by. A comfort. Even when they are dead, as many are. They are immortal in the work they produced out of their very spirits.
"Here," they proclaim,"is a piece of me. Forever. Know I live on through you by these works."
Detail of lighthouse, ferry and my house from afghan.
Detail of reading, music and love of coffee.
Beautiful work Wise - sure to bring you immortality! Yes,I too work at living for as long as possible after I can no longer walk and talk. Starting to give paintings away [very slowly though,so hard to take them off the wall]. Others have been spoken for so I take a picture of the painting, write their name on it,and put it in my Final File! Happy creating - isn't making something from nothing just the best thing going!
ReplyDeleteIt has such rewards Betty. It has saved my life so many times. Yes I photograph my work so I always have a memory. Often. B the memories are linked to other events. It is delightful.
DeleteThanks for your kind words and you know how much I adore your art!
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Oh my
ReplyDeletehow beautiful.
I can create home and gardens
and dig in the dirt :)
But wish I had your talent.
Take care
and wish you lived near...
Yes, you are a creator too, Ernestine. Of magical house and garden. In the woods.
DeleteI wished you lived nearer too :)
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OH MY GOD.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely stunning!
Thank you Kathy. A labour of love for grand girl. I hope she likes it.
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Whoever possesses this in the future will remember you fondly.
ReplyDeleteI believe so Tom, it represents a lot of our shared time and she is beloved to me.
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Such a lovely afghan with quite a story! I have numerous pieces of handwork given to me through the years that I treasure, though those who created them are long gone. I must write identification blurbs to attach to each in the hope that family receiving them when I'm gone will value them, too. They're not in a position to take possession of them now.
ReplyDeleteI treasure my meaningful pieces, too Joared. Good idea to write ID on them or on a list. I am caretaking this afghan as Grandgirl is a peripatetic in her life at the moment.
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What a gorgeous afghan!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda!
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Remarkable work WWW. In the Indian system, immortality is producing offspring.
ReplyDeleteSo non-producers die off forever Ramana? I find this fascinating.
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This is such a beautiful piece of work. My mother was a wonderful knitter,& would earn extra money doing special sweaters, etc. for people she worked with. Although one of her afghans is very old, that's the one I cuddle with when I'm going through difficult times. It soothes me and gives me strength to continue. Yours will do the same. The design is superb.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anon, I do hope so, I am hoping it will comfort her through storms and reassure her in times of loneliness.
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Very pretty work. I have my version of the garrett, too, but I like cruises as well.
ReplyDeleteAh you have both, I am envious (I think!)
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What a beautiful gift. Granddaughter will treasure it!
ReplyDeleteThank you E!
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I love your work and I'm sure someone will treasure these things one day!
ReplyDeleteMaggie x
Wow ... I am so impressed by this afghan! Beautiful design and execution. What an amazing gift. I'm sure your granddaughter will treasure this throughout her life.
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