When my peers were taking piano lessons, I was taking weaving lessons. My family placed a premium on the arts and the more esoteric crafts, and when my parents realized that we had a professional weaver living down the road … Continue reading
Category Archives: Crafts
One morning several weeks ago, as I walked my dog down one of the state park trails, I noticed something atop one of the trail signs. So, I went over to check it out. Thus was I introduced to the … Continue reading
The photo below is from the Spring, 1957 issue of Bride and Home. The three players are me (in the vermillion romper), my mother (in the jumpsuit, in the middle, and my brother Clem (in the white footie pajamas). I … Continue reading
Based on my title, you might be forgiven if you think that the studies in frustration came from writing or the publishing business. Both can be very very frustrating. However this time it’s about knitting. I’ve been working on socks. … Continue reading
by Brenda W. Clough Have you noticed how very many stories, and how the sweeping majority of movies, star young people? The hero, the heroine — always under forty, often under thirty. Even Spider-Man’s Aunt May has lost sixty years! … Continue reading
“Did GG’s stuff include a scrapbook?” “There’s one of those late Victorian scrapbooks, with poems and pasted pictures. Is that what you mean?” In my debut novel for Book View Café, The Wizardry of Jewish Women, a scrapbook appears. “This … Continue reading
The wooden rack outside the supermarket is hung with wreaths for sale, red ribbons flapping in the sea wind. “Now, that’s a gorgeous one,” I murmur, stopping to admire a pleasingly balanced composition of cedar, reindeer moss, spruce, and pine. … Continue reading
I cannot even think about the election today. I have done my civic duty (in addition to the Great National Stressor, we have 16 state-wide ballot initiatives, and 25 city-wide ballot initiatives to vote on). I need to be thinking … Continue reading
It’s September, now. The drought continues. Remember when I said the larger plants– the trees, grapes, etc.– seem to be weathering it okay so far? Well, “so far” isn’t so far anymore. … Continue reading
I’ve been watching The Great British Bake Off on TV. It’s fun, low key, and I like all the bakers. I’m so impressed with them. I’m learning some interesting things. I had no idea that in Britain there’s strong flour, … Continue reading