The Summer Olympics has captured my attention this past week, and it was a nice trip down memory lane in my last post when I recalled the active days of my youth and adolescence. I felt the scar on my foot from a bike accident, and I remembered my own experience with cupping a few years ago that left dark circles on my shoulders just like swimmer Michael Phelps and gymnast Alexander Naddour. Except mine was for the treatment of age related bursitis, not an overuse due to hours swimming or in gymnastics. By the way, I’ve not had a problem with that shoulder since. I practically feel like an Olympian!
But I also wondered why I became so much less active as I got older? I blame it on (or credit) sewing at a young age, first at my mother’s side, and then in 4 H, getting to make a three-cornered scarf. You were rocking some serious fashion, even at age 10, if you could make one of those to match your outfit!
And then, there was my introduction to Mod Podge, transforming Dad’s cigar boxes into a tobacco smelling jewelry box. Who wouldn’t want one of those!
My stitching and gluing life began as early as my archery and swimming, but somehow, I chose crafting, and my early medals came in the form of ribbons at the County Fair. Who’s with me here? I bet I have many crafting friends.
By mid-high school, I could tie a diagonal half hitch in my sleep. What, you’ve never done macramé? Cross stitch, embroidery and crewel were more grown up versions of stitchery and knot typing.
I stepped outside of textiles when I explored stained glass. I made a couple of “windows” and invested heavily in the supplies before I decided my world was more fiber arts, and less glass and metal. So I started weaving and before long, I owned a 45” floor loom and had a side business making baby blankets. It wasn’t until I moved back from Japan that I sold my loom, but I hadn’t used it for years even before I left the States.
While I lived in Japan, I discovered the world of quilting. Ah, now this is my sport, and the equipment doesn’t require an entire room like the loom did. It’s more than cutting up pieces of fabric only to sew them back together again. It’s working with patterns and colors and experimenting with new routines and sometimes, having an epic fail and other times, sticking the landing and loving the finished piece.
I suppose it’s fitting that I finished a red, white and blue quilt top as the Final Five, and the Simones, and Katie, Michael, and Mara delighted us in front of our TVs. The Olympics always makes me embrace my American pride.
So I will continue to train for the Gold, as I’ve set my sights on the Crafting All Around. But along with any good goal, I’ll practice some cross training, and keep on walking, splashing, and pedaling to keep the joints working.
Pam, I so love your writings! You are so genuine and funny 🙂 Always look forward to what’s next. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift!
Karen, this brought a tear to my eye. Thank you so much! I’m a bit on the fence about where I’m taking it, what I’m doing, and so forth – next week’s post will talk about that. I so appreciate you taking the time to visit my site and commenting.
I learned a lot about you I did not know by reading this blog. Quilt is beautiful! if I was a judge… 10.0.
Yes, you really expose yourself when you write a personal blog. Sometimes that’s good, other times, not so much. But thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.
I am entering several items in the county fair this year. Sewing, quilting and knitting. Its still fun to do so. Wayne will have many wood carvings entered as well
Good Luck! It is fun to have that to look forward to, isn’t it. Hang those ribbons high, sister.
Nice post, Pam. So many crafts, so little time. I just don’t have time to work: I sew, embroider, bead, do wire work, read, swim, walk, and run. I just about gave up my flute. And then, I write in my free time. I need a second life. At the very least, I need a 36 hr day.
Please don’t teach me quilting, then I’ll need a 48 hr day.
Oh my goodness, I played the flute, too. Yes, I tried beading once, but not with the same gusto. We are lucky we have hobbies to pursue. Wouldn’t life be dull otherwise! But I can either quilt or write – I don’t have time to work on both at same time. I’m in a quilting phase now. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
You always were the top athlete in the family, but I think you may also take the gold medal for variety of crafts attempted. The quilting is beautiful, both you and Barb take top honors in different categories. Mom would be proud of the skills you both exhibit. Me. I hope she’s happy I own a sewing machine.
Keep up the wonderful, entertaining writing. Thanks for sharing your gift.
And this from a woman who ran a 10 k (or maybe 5k?) on her wedding. I was never much of an athlete, except for in my mind. Then I am legendary! Yea, Barb is really the true craftsman in the family, but in true form, I have probably tried the most. Yes, I think our mom would have been proud of all of us. Thanks for the comment.
You crack me up!
Thanks! That’s as good as it gets. And I sure appreciate the time you took to comment.