We took a break last year, and are only just returning. My oldest son died in a car accident Dec. 28, 2008. I needed some time to grieve. My other sons have faired well through this year as well.
Ben 17, is just beginning to notice the female persuasion. We've begun to notice he is taking more showers, shaving and wearing cologne. Recently, he took a girl from school to the zoo. It was thrilling to see him act so much the Gentleman.
Joann has been very busy this year. She has been dressing in period garb and reinacting her hand crafts. Most recently she was at Grassmere Zoo working her "Nall Binding" on the back porch of the turn of the century house there. Then she was off to the Ellington Agriculture Center wearing her bloomers and freezing in the Fall weather during "Music and Molasses" Festival. When she is home, she has been crafting her designs.
The following photos are a work in progress. She is working on baskets these days. Because she is blind she requests a color scheme. I choose the colors and she works away. She says "It will tell me what it wants to be".
The art of Nall-Binding is an Ancient form of weaving first begun by the Vikings. Material is ripped in threads and then a wooden needle is used to "weave" the thread.
