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Leaving Ashland

Two showers and a mother’s day.

Travel to Portland 3 weekends in a row.  First Jennifer’s shower which was lovely given  by 3 or 4 of her good friends.

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Lily's guilt and Lily's Mom.
Lily's quilt and Lily's Mom.

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The second weekend was a shower for Megan with many friends and familyphoto5

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This weekend was mother’s day spent with both Trev and Jennifer and Nick and Megan.  Lovely experience.  To this I added the potential for weaving a baby blanket:

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And was respirited by a visit to the house concert at Licia. Marian Grebanier, Cosmas Magaya,  Nathan Beck, and Eric Orem performed many traditional songs with Cosmas telling stories about the mbira and the songs. He also said that he was the last member alive of his original mbira group which made it very lovely to play with Marian and Nathan who are long time mbira players and great friends to him.  He said that the political situation is getting better in Zimbabwe.

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I was so charmed by the evening, I felt once again like I could trudge along and love mbira even though it is a great mystery how that love came to me and wrapped me in its arms.

The Shona people feel so familiar.  I feel part of the tribe, part of the people, part of the music.  My Ashland mbira partner wrote while I was in the concert that we must get together this week.  It has been so hard to do so since i am traveling and he is in Grants Pass.

New babies and existing grandchildren (Bennett), music, and weaving, are all part of what I can live with in Portland, what welcome me.  Blogging has helped me to sort out what will remain.  My children Trev, Nick, and Anna have been instrumental in reminding me that all I need is love.. to love and be loved.

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Leaving Ashland Rigid Heddle Weaving Weaving travels

Rigid Heddle Weaving

I wove small pieces on both looms plus purchased a knitters loom (rigid heddle) and I wove Christmas  presents one year rather remarkably.   The knitter’s loom takes regular yarn and ribbon so all kinds of textures are possible with a simple weave. Took a basic class at Websters and a more advanced one there as well. Haven’t used the more advanced info (yet).

Found a great video on using a pickup stick with the rigid heddle (which is one of the advanced techniques I learned in class).