In Order to Hear the Birds

 In order for me to write poetry that isn't political, I must listen to the birds, and in order to hear the birds, the warplanes must be silent.

(Marwan Makhoul)

Yesterday with the above poem in mind, I stitched two different colorways of two tatreez patterns that are documented and preserved in the digital library of tirazain.com -- the top motif is al sarookh (the missile) from Ramallah and the bottom motif is toyoor (birds) that is stitched in all areas of Palestine  

I headed to the park for a photo session after getting an iced coconut oatmilk latte (that came with free stickers) and a slice of banana loaf.

It makes me so happy to see and hear so many birds at the park.

Hope your day is filled with soothing sights and sounds.

Happy Saturday.

Mid(ish) Month Update

My craft group has not met officially since early February but seven of us who are core group members started a chat group so we could plan to meet when we're able.  Fortunately, we've managed to do just that several times over the past couple of months.

On the first of June, the airport reopened to international carriers but our morning started with three warning sirens in a row at 6:00 a.m.

On June 3rd at 1:00 a.m., there were many warning sirens accompanied by the loud booms of interceptions and we learned later in the day that the airport had been targeted and, therefore, once again, closed (except for 2 local carriers which means limited destinations and high fare prices).

On June 6th at 3:49 a.m., more sirens and some ground shaking booms from interceptions that even scared Rosie who had been sleeping at the foot of our bed.

Thankfully it's been quiet since.

I hope it stays that way but can't say I have a lot of faith in the parties involved.

Whether in community or at home on the couch, I'm still crafting away, trying to maintain my sanity.

Happy Friday!

Have a good weekend.

Peace out.

Last Morning of May

 I petered out on posting every day in May and now it's the last day of the month.

 Took a walk by the sea this morning and then bought a snack and spent a little time at the park.

May began and ends with a full moon.

See you soon, in June.  :)

Speak of Love

Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) was a Lebanese poet and this particular book is his most famous.  It was first published in the U.S. in 1923 and has been translated into 100 languages.    

Day 19

Today I finished the 4th granny square blanket.

I also did some tatreez on an old GAP shirt-- a simple border design from Ramallah, Palestine that is found  in the digital library of tirazain.com documenting and preserving Palestinian embroidery.  The great thing is that, although I do intend to keep adding to it and other shirts, I can still wear them as I decide what to stitch and add next.

This was the sky this morning.

And this evening just before sunset.

Nothing but dust.

A good day to stay home and make things. :)

The Last Few Days

 Friday morning we went for our favorite breakfast in the city -- at a restaurant that my husband has been eating at since he was a kid -- though it's changed location from way back then.

That afternoon I finished my third granny square blanket.

And am now working on adding to this one.

Yesterday I walked at the park but it turned out to be a very dusty day so didn't venture back out again.

And today I went to a walking path in another neighborhood that I haven't been to in a very long time, as well as taking a walk along a beach area that was closed for some time for repairs, landscaping and upgrades.

Sending good wishes and Sunday blessings to you and yours.

Skip a Day in May: 14

 Yesterday I didn't go out and didn't post.  Tried to clean and do some organizing -- not my favorite chores (so I take a lot of breaks :)  I did crochet some and wound up reading The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver in about 5 hours (between the hours of 4:00 and 10:30 p.m. [past my bedtime]).

Today I walked several times and by the evening walk, my legs just didn't want to really function properly.  Perhaps it had something to do with me being awake since 3:00 a.m.  I also feel like every ounce of water has been sucked right out of my body.

And now I'm plumb tuckered out.

Til next time ...

Every Day in May: 12

 View from the balcony.

Dates will ripen over the summer months.

 

A quick walk this morning to collect cans.  I don't know if anyone can benefit from them but I do it anyways.  Most recycling companies have gone out of business over the years because they can't get people to care or cooperate.  I leave the cans by the trash bins and hope the garbage guys will know what to do with them, if anything.

Someone had thrown this out so it came home with me.

A delicate dragonfly balancing act.

Longer walks will have to happen in the evening since the high today was near 100 F.

Hope your day is a good one.