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hatpinvigilanteYesterday, my friend found a stirring hibernaculum of garter snakes, a bunch of little heads peeping out of the grass, a ripple of tiny tongues tasting the air. He sent me a video, and I sent him a video in return of four male wood frogs trying to out croak each other, their vibrating bodies creating ripples in the otherwise stagnant water. I've found three separate species of wildflower on my walks (skunk cabbage, harbinger-of-spring, spring beauty), and I sat with seven great blue herons on the bank of a quiet pond last week. It really is spring again.
Everything seems to be moving right now, including me, which is a surprise, because I have been so deep in it for so long, I was worried I'd sunk into something tricky without realizing. On the first sunny day, everyone was posting that their seasonal affective disorder was over, and I was like, "welp, I guess this is how I know it's just my regular, for-all-seasons depression." But I am feeling lighter this week, and I'm taking advantage of it by testing my limits and doing as much as I can.
Yesterday, I went grocery shopping, scheduled two job interviews, walked to drop off my library books and get quarters from the bank, did two loads of laundry, had a college library council executive meeting, practiced viola outside, cooked a real dinner from scratch, and watched an episode of The Untamed as a treat. Today, I completed the judging comments for half of my assigned History Day student projects, admired some moss in the woods, practiced viola, started a new embroidery project, and then read some more of May Sarton's Journal of a Solitude in the bath.
As for the embroidery project, that's the real reason I'm posting tonight. It's meant to be a surprise for a friend who is going through a pretty rough time right now. I was so excited I thought of the idea that I started right away instead of going on a late afternoon run. The only problem is that I like to have constant feedback (or at least share my process in semi-public spaces) and this person is aware of me across multiple platforms, so posting it anywhere is risky. But then I remembered I can log my progress here!
It's Xiao Xingchen! Or, it will be once I fill everything in and remove the pattern/stabilizer!
At first, I was relieved I wouldn't have to make two symmetrical eyes.(Sometimes, when I look at Jiang Cheng, I feel bad that I couldn't make his left eye match his right eye. Poor Jiang Cheng. The first time I embroidered him, I was too chicken to give him a face. The second time, the face came out fine, but I took a risk with a straight on stare, and sometimes I regret those slightly wonky eyes. Actually, the way the pieces are situated on opposite walls now, adult Jiang Cheng with a face is staring at teenaged Jiang Cheng without a face. What a nightmare.) Anyway!! I was glad I wouldn't have to do eyes, but then I realized the absolute pressure that puts on equally fiddly things like noses and mouths, and Jiyang has such a uniquely ethereal nose and mouth...the potential for disaster here is high.
Still, I'm pleased with it so far. I'm really excited to start the filler stitches tomorrow and see whether he comes to life. Mostly, I want to finish as quickly as possible so I can pop him in the mail and start talking about him more widely. I am absolutely terrible at surprises!
Okay, that's it for now. I have another busy day planned for tomorrow, so I hope I can keep following through with tasks. We'll see!
Everything seems to be moving right now, including me, which is a surprise, because I have been so deep in it for so long, I was worried I'd sunk into something tricky without realizing. On the first sunny day, everyone was posting that their seasonal affective disorder was over, and I was like, "welp, I guess this is how I know it's just my regular, for-all-seasons depression." But I am feeling lighter this week, and I'm taking advantage of it by testing my limits and doing as much as I can.
Yesterday, I went grocery shopping, scheduled two job interviews, walked to drop off my library books and get quarters from the bank, did two loads of laundry, had a college library council executive meeting, practiced viola outside, cooked a real dinner from scratch, and watched an episode of The Untamed as a treat. Today, I completed the judging comments for half of my assigned History Day student projects, admired some moss in the woods, practiced viola, started a new embroidery project, and then read some more of May Sarton's Journal of a Solitude in the bath.
As for the embroidery project, that's the real reason I'm posting tonight. It's meant to be a surprise for a friend who is going through a pretty rough time right now. I was so excited I thought of the idea that I started right away instead of going on a late afternoon run. The only problem is that I like to have constant feedback (or at least share my process in semi-public spaces) and this person is aware of me across multiple platforms, so posting it anywhere is risky. But then I remembered I can log my progress here!
It's Xiao Xingchen! Or, it will be once I fill everything in and remove the pattern/stabilizer!
At first, I was relieved I wouldn't have to make two symmetrical eyes.
Still, I'm pleased with it so far. I'm really excited to start the filler stitches tomorrow and see whether he comes to life. Mostly, I want to finish as quickly as possible so I can pop him in the mail and start talking about him more widely. I am absolutely terrible at surprises!
Okay, that's it for now. I have another busy day planned for tomorrow, so I hope I can keep following through with tasks. We'll see!
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Date: 2021-03-24 03:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-03-24 05:00 pm (UTC)