As The Earth Spins

Don't you just love the texture of the ground in this photo? It's the time of year when the earth is reawakening and there is a feeling of new beginnings in the air.

 

Terry Tempest Williams is an author, a naturalist, a native of Utah and she writes of the landscape better than anyone I've read (except Edward Abbey, perhaps).  The last few weeks I've rereading her books Desert Quartet and An Unspoken Hunger.  The sensual language of the earth comes through strongly in her words.  Her stories create a hunger in me that can only be satisfied by walking on the land, feeling its warmth and texture.    

The landscape will take care of me. The open expanse of sky makes me realize how necessary it is to live without words, to be satisfied without answers, to simply be in a world where there is no wind, no drama. To find a place of rest and safety, no matter how fleeting it may be, no matter how illusory, is to regain composure and locate bearings. Terry Tempest Williams – Desert Quartet

 
By design, the project on my wheel is also perfect for PS Earth Edition. Last year at the Great Basin Fiber Festival this fluff, in Anne's Wooly Wonka booth, attracted my attention. Three bunches of this earthy color, a total of 6 oz., ended up in my stash. The blend of alpaca, angora, silk and flash create a mixture of textures that form a perfect combo, a perfect bouquet of pink, red, gold, copper and brown, the colors of fall leaves. It is being spun with intent, the intent of knitting Mohana by Monika. It's going to take awhile to do.

The lovely blue roving from Indigo Moon nearly finished. There's a bit more to spin but I already have around 800 yds of singles.  There were a few weakness found while winding it onto the niddy noddy, but overall it turned out nicely.  Handspun for yet, another shawl...this has become "my thing". 

This weekend is the Snake River Fiber Festival in Idaho Falls. Laurie and Anne will be vendors and I'll be meeting up with KimG.  Emmylou (my wheel) will come along in the hopes it will remind me I have plenty of fluff to spin already. However, it doesn't mean I will come home without purchasing something (as you well know).  I'd love to stay over night but AnneBis coming in from Calgary and we have plans to meet at Silver Fork. To top it all off, the weather should be heading for record warmth. We're not complaining...yet.

Comments

[Cindy/Snid]

Beautiful poem...

[Teyani]

I often feel that the 'landscape will take care of me' when I am puttering in my garden. It seems to bring meaning back to my life from the chaos of the rest of the world.
lovely spinning. it entices me to reconsider my wheel as well... can't wait to see what you will knit with that.

[Carole]

Your weekend plans sound like fun!

[Carol]

I'm in the wrong state! Weekend plans are not half as fun.

[CindyCindy]

Yes. The earth calls to me, too, but it's so interesting that I see a different aspect of her personality. I love your roving and the shawl looks incredible. Sounds like a fabulous weekend, too.

[Marcia Cooke]

That's a gorgeous shawl! Sounds like a fun weekend, too....mine looks to be about as far away from fiber as you can get! Soon, though.

[Kim]

Your book sounds interesting. Have a safe trip to the festival and give the grrls a big hug from me!

[Chris]

Have fun this weekend! Obviously your toes are all spiffed up and ready to go. :)

[Norma]

Oh, have a lovely weekend! I hope the weather is lovely and you get a great deal of EmmyLou time.

[Linda M]

I remember reading "Refuge" soon after it came out and being struck by it on many levels. For me as an east coast grrl I guess I was most taken with how different your part of the country is from mine. I re-read it every so often and really should pick up the books you mentioned today.

[Laura]

Am I early or is the world just really quiet this morning??

Love your Earth. The fiber. The blue singles - leaving as singles for the shawl or will you ply them?

And I think I love your sandals. Where can I get some of those?

[Sarah]

Enjoy the festival!

[Heather]

Have a great time this weekend!

[Lucia]

I love the pic of your sandal with those roots. I've been loving your Earth posts in general. Happy trails!

[Beth S.]

I love your "earthy" roving! (Note to self, buy more solid-y stuff.)

And I'm so pleased that you get to go to a festival this weekend. :-) Have a wonderful time!

[Hillary]

I love your earth shots. You have a great eye. Have a great time at the festival this weekend.

[Vicki]

Wow! TTW's words make me want to merge and be one with the landscape!

Have a fun weekend -- I could use one of those fiber-friend festivals!

[Lía]

What a lovely quote! I'm going to try to find that book, that's for sure ;)

[Anne B.]

Can't wait for the beautiful weekend! We plan on stopping in Idaho Falls on Saturday on our way down. Get there early, Anne may be cleared out! I can't wait to see the beautiful Utah flowers and earth! (And wear a skirt and sandals! Nice toes!)

[Laurie]

The blues are lovely. You are going to have such a wonderful time this weekend!

[claudia]

That sounds like a lovely weekend.

[Angie]

Have a wonderful weekend, Margene, with friends and fibery pursuits.

[Julie]

Oh I love her too!! Edward Abby is pretty special too! Have fun in Idaho Falls!

[Anne]

Wow! That is going to be gorgeous as that shawl! Can't wait to see the finished version.

As I remember, that roving will have some dye loss when you soak it as finished yarn. It has a lot of red in it. You might glug a little white vinegar into the water when you soak it to finish it.

Headed out this afternoon. Cya tomorrow! (PS - and I even have your spindle. Remind me I've got it.)

[Birdsong]

Wow, that earthy fiber is so enticing...oh, wait a minute, I think I have something almost identical in MY stash, LOL. Sending hugs for Anne and Laurie and hopes that they do well and that you have lots of fun.

[Wool Winder]

Yes, you must buy at least one thing. Have fun!

[Kelly]

Cool picture! The roving is gorgeous and your spinning looks great as well!