This truly American idiom seems quite appropriate these days given the widespread protest against systemic bigotry, racism and inequality that has been visited upon African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians and other minorities since the time that white people/Europeans first came to this country. It has an extra (although much less weighty and serious) meaning for me this week as I shipped off my manuscript for editing.
In both instances, however, we all are facing the impact of our words (as well as deeds), and must decide whether or not to also accept the consequences. In the case of my book, I’ll need to be ready to accept that I’ve made errors, and I hope there won’t be too many. In the case of racism, I’m not sure what it looks like. I do know, however, that this country must change, and change fundamentally if it is to remain a united Republic. I hope (expect) my friends of color and different ethnicity from me will stop me in my tracks if (when) I say something racist or inappropriate. I’m sure that these things come out of us when we aren’t thinking anything untoward at all….I will be the first to say that I’m not immune from ignorance.
So what’s next? I’ve had some projects on the back burner…I did drop completion of the Expert Knitter project until the book was done. Now I need to rethink my design, yarn, process, and move onto something new. I have many ideas and none. I still tend to think of design in terms of how many things I can cram into one project. It’s the result of “too many ideas, too little time.” Although I’ve been on this journey for many years, I’ve been subject to diving down rabbit holes. There was the year of socks (well, actually, many years) when I couldn’t stop knitting them — obsession.
Then the year of sweaters, when I decided to design a series based on reimagined characters from the game “Clue.”
The year of grinding through swatch after swatch to conquer the first level of the Master Knitter program. Classes taken because I want to learn “everything.”
All the while designing and trying and striving
I feel like knitting is an endless rabbit hole all unto itself, and I love diving into it just to see what sticks and strings can do. Right now I’m letting my brain have a rest while doing a pattern designed by somebody else. Even if it’s a little complicated, I don’t have to keep thinking, “what’s next.” Just follow the chart and zone out.
I’m also thinking about what comes next for me in terms of research. I have some ideas, but I need to wait until the bug bites and fully takes me in like it did with the Sweden project. Who knows where (in the world) it will take me.
I came across this recently, reminding me that there are some wonderful sheep and stories quite close to home. This is a heartwarming, inspiring story about some sheep that have been living on small islands off the coast of Maine for many, many years.
Face the music — regardless of where it takes you–regardless of how uncomfortable it might be. Allow yourself every opportunity to learn and grow.
and knit.