In A Funk

My grandmother said that bad things happen in threes. I seem to be in a period of disappointment and today I am truly in a funk. I've been without my sewing machine since September 12. I found out yesterday that it will be another two weeks before Bernina can even look at my machine. (This took three phone calls over three days and finally a trip to the quilt shop to get an answer.) I've never been without my sewing machine this long and while I do have a back up, it's just not the same. 

I decided to put myself out there again. It's not going as expected. My piece, shared here, was not accepted into Quilt National. I knew it was a long shot. I still believe I created a strong piece. there were 851 entries and only 80 quilts were accepted so I am in good company. Still it was a disappointment. I am now looking to find an another exhibition to share this piece.

Last night the container with all my hand built pottery was knocked onto the floor by a fellow student. Hours and hours of work lay broken on the floor. Tom felt terrible. It was an accident. Even writing this I have to fight back tears. I didn't want him to feel any worse than he did and yet...Every pot I tired to throw last night was a disaster. Today I will try to fix what I can. I am trying to embrace that I am learning something new, but it's tough.

My dream of creating works honoring Wangari Maathai was squashed today (notification wasn't suppose to happen until October 31). Maybe "I'll Be a Hummingbird" will still happen.

The effects of environmental degradation, political turmoil, and economic crises fracture our world, so it is easy to forget that peace depends on good governance and the equitable management of our natural resources. Wangari Muta Maathai (1940-2011) understood this and dedicated her life to environmental and human (women’s) rights. In the 1970s, she began planting trees in Kenya, which led to the creation of the Green Belt Movement (1977).  She became the first African woman, and the first environmentalist, to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She was one of the founding members of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, and the distinguished chair of the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi. After her untimely death (from complications due to ovarian cancer) in 2011 at the age of 71, people, including me, continue to be inspired by her and continue her work. The Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the Feminist Task Force teamed up to launch Women and Climate Justice Tribunals in fifteen countries around the world.  The Tribunals were dedicated to Wangari’s memory and for her work as a champion for rural women, environmental justice, peace and development. "We cannot tire or give up. We owe it to the present and future generations of all species to rise up and walk!" said Wangari.    

I am sharing this not to get sympathy. Although kind words are always welcome. I am sharing this because even though I am feeling a little beaten down, I know that I cannot stop creating. I know tomorrow is a new day.