once again i am at long ridge

a student

sitting with a group of amazing women

at long ridge farm.

sandra brownlee arrived here with her valise of wonders

a few books to share

thoughts and ideas and an exquisite gentleness

as we build tactile notebooks.

this is an object of delight she brought along:

it's from kyoto

it's kozo (i think) stitched with paper thread

so i sat one of my little pieces

of flax stitched with paper thread on it

and snapped a portrait

it is so familiar it feels like i made it

sandra was told it was part of a costume

which puts me in mind of some of the shifu/stitched/flax pieces

mary ann mackeller makes

several of us are here

gathered together from far and wide

in this safe space that sandra has created for us to work in

taking brave steps

or just steps

being here

being present.

i love therese's ripped strip of paper

i met up with two friends

as i write i realize they are both former students

jennifer and therese

there it is,

hiding behind that red cup

sandra's valise

from which she took

this

and other wonders

like these

a home in the sheep pasturage.

yesterday was PAPER day.

we made a little recording of paper

after i explained rattle

(papermakers all know this term)

and how we listen for it as we evaluate paper.