Sunday, December 04, 2005

Choosing my words carefully...

I have not written for quite a few days - I really felt as though I didn't have much of value to say. I think that the reason was that the events around our world weighed heavily. Try as I might to make logic or reason from them I found it hard going and I might add still do...

Perhaps I has some insight into myself this morning when I was talking to P about my utter revulsion of
Huntsman spiders - we have had a couple in the house over the last two weeks - I may dislike what they are and even more what they stand for - big, furry, eight legged, fast moving - but I cannot kill them... In fact when others of the family reach for the insect spray and/or a heavy object to splatter them - I defend them working out ways to move them out of the house unharmed. I may not like them and I may be bigger than they are - but that is not a good enough reason for me to destroy them. Yes - I am well aware that real life is more complex than huntsman spiders - but killing one huntsman or maybe even 400 does not solve the problem. Nor does it offer a deterent for next one coming through the window if it is so determined. I will say no more...

On a brighter note I spent Thursday with G and her friend H... We had a morning coffee which stretched into lunch... H and I share similar interests of books, reading and writing. H went home after lunch so G and I settled down to an afternoon of stitching and chat... It was a lovely peaceful few hours... I worked on C's sampler and G worked on a Christmas RR she is currently a part of. C's sampler is coming along nicely and I am enjoying stitching and watching it unfold. There is something about stitching this one that makes me feel peaceful - perhaps it is its theme - Love - or the colourways which are shades of pink - not a colour I work with much - but what ever it is I feel very content when I finally put it down...



I went to the library and of course it was my duty to leave with a armful of books...

* The Art of William Morris in Cross Stitch
* The Sampler Collection (this book was produced by 'Just CrossStitch magazine in 1989 - cannot find links to it)
*
Painting with a Needle - learning the art of silk embroidery with YOUNG YANG CHUNG (keep scrolling down for the English translation)
*
I Believe This - 100 Eminent Australian's Face Life's Biggest Question
* A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
*
Ghostwritten - David Mitchell
*
Painted Woman - Sue Woolfe

Some to read and some to simply look at the pictures and dream...

Enough of my ramblings... Enjoy the weekend...

7 comments:

Gina E. said...

Your post is beautifully written, Sharon - well done on presenting your views so tactfully. Not like me stamping in where angels fear to tread! But as you said, you know me well enough to accept what I am, as I do you. I am aware of my 'faults' and very grateful that my true friends accept me warts and all.
As for the spiders, I love those little critters! Next time you want to evict them, just give me a call, I'll be right over with my Spider (jam) Jar. But in getting rid of them from your house, it pays to remember that Huntsmen prey on white tail spiders, and although they are smaller, they are far more aggressive and deadly. I'm happy to have the bigger furry ones around our place.
We did have a lovely time last Thursday, didn't we...nice and cool too!

Unknown said...

Sharon, do you know about the William Morris exhibition on in Melbourne at the moment from the Art Gallery of South Australia. Can't remember where - think it might be the museum. I have seen the AGSA's William Morris stuff on show in Adelaid ten years ago. It is marvellous. The wealth of Adelaide imported shiploads of Arts & Crafts stuff.

Sharon said...

Gina e - Yes, I am aware that Huntsmen are the natural predators of whitetails...Over the years I have 'moved' quite a few out... When living in Mooroolbark we averaged one a week through the summer months... K was always taking them out over the road to the spare block of land in an icecream tub and letting them go... Even the woman next door would call on his spider moving expertise... But she liked them dead - which he wouldn't do... Then when we lived at Caulfield we had lots of trees and no flywire screens - remind me to tell you the story about Edith(cat) having one sitting on her face...
Gina - my post was written like that for a number of reasons... The first being I don't want to turn my blog into a political rant - you know my views there... Secondly you and I may share very different views on lots of different matters but because we live in the country we do - allowing freedom of speech-I respect your right to be able to express what and how you do... Thirdly 'my old friend'in my time with him - taught me a lot about compassion and not just taking everything at face value... That there is a story in all things - and it is up to us -if we choose - to discover that story... Last but not least... Yes, you are my friend and you may be different to me - but at the end of the day - if cut we both bleed the same colour blood...


the eagle's child - no I wasn't aware of the exhibition... I will look it up... He is a favorite of mine... Some of the needlework in this book is beautiful and I have already seen at least two designs I would like to stitch... There is something timeless and boundless about them... Thanks for drawing my attention to the exhibition...

Anne S said...

Well, I'm sorry to say, I'm the odd man out here ... I'm a serious arachnaphobe - on one meeting with a huntsman in Bentleigh I was terrified I burst into tears and was shaking all over - it's the only living creature I have no compunction over to end its time on earth - dreadful, I know ... but all other creatures I have no problem with. One of the key things I looked for when I moved out were flyscreens on the windows/doors, I'm such a wimp! Maybe my migraines have been karma biting me back ;)

Anne S said...

Oops, I forgot to say - your latest stitching piece is looking lovely - the pink is so delicate looking :)

Sharon said...

Thanks annes on your comments about my sampler - I am really happy with it so far. I am glad that I chose the pale pink aida as for me it extends that feeling that I am wanting to convey...

LOL regarding huntsmen spiders - remind me to tell you of a story about my mother, a dressing gown and a huntsman spider...

Val said...

I guess by now you have found out that the William Morris exhibition is in the Melbourne Museum in the Carlton Gardens. I visited that museum for the first time ever today (20 January 2006) - I wanted to see that giant squid. Check it out! I saw the William Morris signs but decided to come back in a few weeks. I was with my dad so we visited the historical computer exhibit instead - also very interesting.