Earth

When life's disappointments and troubles come to visit, I find it best to turn to the landscape in search for balance and perspective.  As my feet touch the warmth of sun drenched slickrock, or my ears here the crunch of leaves on the forest floor, the weight of daily life is lifted my shoulders and I feel a part of something larger. My troubles become insignificant and small. I am in the moment and it is all that matters. 

"Earth. Rock. Desert. I am walking barefoot on sandstone, flesh responding to flesh." - Terry Tempest Williams, Desert Quartet

A few years ago, on a lonely, troubling day, I headed to the closest green space I could find. Simply walking across the green grass of a schoolyard, lifting my eyes to the blue sky full of feathery clouds and seeing the majestic mountain drained the dread from my body and I went home feeling more sure, more secure, relieved.  The landscape is healing, uplifting and fills the soul in a way material things can never do. It is always there, a constant, changing, yet consistent, always real.

The act of creating, of knitting and spinning, can also fill the soul, strengthen the spirit.  The process of creation is more than a desire; it is a need that brings solace, joy and fulfillment. This yarn, Alchemy Haiku, in the color Twig, is rich in the shaded colors of brown. Because of the tiny needles and yarn, I am forced to slow down the process of knitting which keeps me mindfully focused on the task. Shetsoie is the perfect project for PS Elements -Earth Edition.

Comments

[Janine]

I feel exactly the same about the beach.
As soon as I take off my shoes and stand on the sand I can feel the tension draining out of me :-)

[Laurie]

The earth element...well said.

[Carole]

Of course. Being in the moment can be so difficult but I agree that spending time outdoors really helps with that. That shawl is wonderful.

[Nora]

Nice, Margene. A little bit of poetry for my Wednesday morning!

And your toenails are fabulous...

[Opal]

Thanks for the beautiful post. I know when there's trouble in my heart I like to find a seat where I can gaze at the mountains with my knitting in my lap.

[Norma]

You are so right. That is exactly why I garden. it's also why my garden never looks like Martha Stewart's or a magazine cover. Relaxation is the idea. :)

[Judy]

exactly.

[Kim]

Margene....such lovely words! I feel much the same about the ocean and the sandy beach. I miss it.

I LOVE that yarn in your new shawl...perfect color!

[CindyCindy]

Poetry in prose. Lovely. And, your Shetsoie is beautiful.

[Lucia]

I too take solace from the earth, the strength of granite, the quiet energy of ground beneath my feet.

[Teresa C]

That is just what the shore or hiking in the mountains does for me. While I can't get there all the time when I need it, a good walk or jog right out my front door is a help. Moving and breathing in the fresh air, a prescription for clearing the mind and relieving stress.

[Angie]

Thank you for the lovely morning post. Love the painted toenails.

[claudia]

That is one of my favorite colors.

[lolly]

such a beautiful post - thank you so much for sharing, Margene. The earth - and being out in nature - definitely has restorative powers. Best wishes~

[Knitnana]

What a refreshing post. Thank you! Love the toes, but especially the earth-colored Shawl! Thank you for the link!
(((hugs)))

[Margaret]

Thanks! I feel that way about a walk in the woods. The Shetsoie looks like it will be very pretty in the subtly shaded browns.

[Chris]

Ahh... *makes mental note to get pedicure soon*

[Ruth]

So true! It is one of the things I love about having left the city - I can leave the concrete and be immediately connected to the earth right outside my door. Your post makes me long to go barefoot.... once the weather warms up, perhaps.

[Marcia Cooke]

Very thought-provoking!

[marti]

hmm,the groundingness of your post was just what i needed.

[Heather]

Plus, a bitchin' pedicure never fails to lift the spirit.

Seriously, great reminder.

[Irie]

Blessed are they who live in nature! Your mountain is certainly awe inspiring.

[Hillary]

Nature does have a way of evening things out and raising our spirits. There really is beauty in even the smallest things. On a more basic level, being barefoot just feels good.

[Priscilla]

What a beautiful post. Thank you.

[Rachel]

Very well said, thank you.

[Laura]

Now I need a pedicure. I've never had one but it's time. It's a way to remember to be good to yourself.

You're right. Any trouble that we could possibly have is almost always small compared to the difficulties of people in other places. We're so blessed.

Take good care sweet friend and thank you for the lovely photos and perspective. :) XOXOXOXOX

[paula]

Very nicely said, Margene. I miss the ocean, though

[Manise]

Very well said. Like Norma I get that gardening too- esp in my veggie garden. I've been known to pull up a chair in the center of all my boxes and just sit and watch the sky, clouds, birds, wind in the pines, my growing veggies and the various insects- dragonflies in particular sunning themselves.

Love the earthy quality of your shawl.

[Beth S.]

I was hoping we'd see this project again soon. I have a feeling it's going to turn out to be something special. :-)

[marie in florida]

as constant as the ever changing moon

[Carol]

That is looking so pretty. I love to stare at the sky a let my troubles blow away in the wind.

[Leah]

So introspective!

Love the Twig color. That is going to be a beautiful shawl.

[Pat K]

You quote Terry Tempest Williams. Have you read "Sandstone Seduction" by Katie Lee?

[Teyani]

such a beautiful sentiment. and a lovely tribute to the earth.

[Wool Winder]

So true. You expressed so well what I was feeling this week on our trip. Love the color you chose for the shawl.