I had a good year. I do not always. But 63 has been a good year. My hip is not shot, my knees still bend, and I got to use them in adventurous ways in and out of the country. Climbed a mountain and I turned around.
My knees and hips also served me well on a great road trip with Howard, visiting the national parks in the western states. He let me hook the whole way. “ Repeat Rug Patterns” to be published in Rug Hooking Magazine this summer.
The Buckeye Guild “Knitting Bag Challenge” is off to a great start, four of about 16 bags finished that I know of, and mine is near completion. Thanks to Asa Peller who made us all the handles on the robotic machine at his lab! We will enter these bags into Sauder Village Rug Show this next summer
Had some great teaching opportunities this spring and summer as well. Art Camp with kids for three weeks in June, a class at Northern McGown Teachers Workshop this summer, and a great class in Ashboro North Carolina this fall with the Piedmont Rug Hooking Guild!
Had to get busy as all get out when the dust settled as I had not fired since June! Been hustling ever since. . I nailed the reduction atmosphere finally after two years and 17 firings. Thanks to Gail Russell from Peachblow Pottery and John Britt from North Carolina for their guidance and helpful suggestions.
We had the Open Studio in November. Willow is always mugging to be included in the shot, probably because I was hugging Howard!
But one of the most exciting discoveries of the year came after reading David McCulloughs “The Pioneers. It is about the first settlement in Ohio. Though I knew the history of our farm and its first family, I did not realize the sacrifice that Phoebe Hurlbut and her daughter Abigail made when they lost their husband and father Benoni, in Belpre Ohio in 1791. Less than 10 years later the two women, with David Stokely, Abigails new husband, walked up the Muskingum River to settle on and establish the Stokely Farm. This is where I live, and Phoebe, Abigail, and David, along with a few of their children are buried out by the back pond. You can wander out there next time you come to visit, and pay them your respects. This is the house that their children built.
My Children come back as well. They help plant and harvest. They enjoy the peace of the land, its sense of place, and the grace we all receive by continuing to steward the property. We thank you all this holiday season for contributing to our well being by your purchases of the goods and services that we provide with the strength of our knees, hips, and hands. Happy Holidays and a Good New Year!
