lists and thinking

What a difference a few hours makes. Yesterday we lost our Internet connection for several hours, and it was well, almost as if the whole Internet phenomenon was just part of our imagination. There was no instant access to information, to inspiration,to resources, to friends, to family. There was much pacing about and fretting, and the realisation of just how much I rely on wireless connectivity.

Or at least, I have become used to being able to use this fabulous medium to enrich my life. Of course I could manage without it-we used to be just fine-but it was only when it became suddenly unavailable that I was jolted into thinking about just how much time I spend each day reading and researching and thinking and communicating using my computer. And how many of my projects seem to need a little computer input.

Today we have connectivity again, and I can catch up with what other people are doing and saying and making and wondering. I can order some fabric on line, thus putting an end to a period of prevarication about the next big project, and I can post for myself, and for anyone who comes by here, a list of what I am in the middle of.

I find the List to be a very useful tool. Now blessed with this gift of time, I have found it is very easy to fritter time away, and get to that position epitomised by the quote I had on my gardening blog- “What have I done today? A mouse could not find it if a second of honest labour were a pound of toasted cheese.” (Ted Hughes, letter to Sylvia Plath Oct 3rd 1956-red more here)

So on my textiles List -on the computer of course-is this collection:-

1. Make entry in visual journal-on real paper.
2. Continue and possibly complete Birch quilt
3. Order fabric for Laura’s Birthday quilt-couldn’t do that yesterday because there was no Internet to order fabric.
4. Send small gift-couldn’t do that yesterday because small gift’s destination address was on the computer and there was no Internet.
5. Play with more fabric painting and stamping for more postcards, because that is fun.

It is late afternoon now, and after being at work, doing some house type chores and planting 2 rows of potatoes, I realise that I am not going to get much of my list done today. I do try, honestly!.

Before I go and cook supper for assembled menfolk, I intend to package up small gift, having bought envelope today . After supper I intend to order fabric for list item 3, add some more detail to birch quilt and possibly attempt some of items 1 and 5. Well, that is the intention, but you know the saying about the road to hell being paved with good intentions…..

And so this post is not all unrelieved wordiness, here is a glimpse of Birch quilt and the outline design for Laura’s quilt.