Yet another turn around the sun.

As the new year unfolds, a vibrant warp of endless possibilities just waiting to be woven opens before me. The turning of the calendar symbolizes a fresh start, a moment to thoughtfully reflect on past experiences while simultaneously looking forward to what lies ahead. This offers me an invaluable chance to set my intentions, embrace the inevitable changes life presents, and take steps towards continued personal growth.

Each day presents an open invitation to redefine my goals, nurture meaningful relationships, and cultivate resilience in the face of life’s challenges. With this renewed sense of hope and determination, the potential for transformation and genuine fulfillment seems truly limitless, inspiring me to wholeheartedly pursue my aspirations with intent.

I ask myself what has happened this past year, if only in my mind, and what do I see going forward?

In retrospect, I realize that while I am getting stronger, my joints are more and more at painful, full of popping and catching; I intend to do what I can to protect them as I go forward. I love weaving and believe it helps both my body and my mind to stay strong. However, I notice how much pressure it takes to depress each treadle as I weave beautiful fabrics, and my hips ache after. So, I am selling my current loom and buying another loom which uses a different system so that the treadles need less force. It’s interesting that this decision, while supported by my husband, creates some conflict for me. My current Schacht loom was a gift from my Mom shortly before she died and is a wonderful loom, very versatile. In a way I feel I am dishonoring her, which I know is irrational. In any case, I’ve made the decision in support of my future self, knowing that this will enable me to weave longer into my future. My brain and all its myriad synaptic connections thank me.

As I prepare space for my new loom, I take stock of how much fabric I have already created. Using lessons from Jane Stafford’s school of weaving, I have woven placemats and scarves, sewn pouches, tote bags, clothing… some with projects created during her lessons, others as offshoots from them.