The Fiberary

It always takes me a couple weeks to return to my routine, so I’m constantly forgetting to do things and easily distracted. My first month away from social media was a few days ago and I didn’t even realize it until after it happened. In the meantime, though, I’ve been reading a lot. I picked up Divine Rivals and it renewed my love of antique typewriters, so last week I pulled out my Remington Remette that I got from an antique store in college.

The book itself was remarkably good, and not at all what I expected when I cataloged it several weeks ago. It discussed themes of wartime with a lot of grace. My favorite excerpt (a message, I feel, many of us need in this day and age) reminds the protagonist that being joyful in the midst of suffering is not a crime. We shouldn’t feel guilty for the things not in our control, and do what we can with what is. (Insert Lord of the Rings quote here about Frodo and Gandalf and the time given to us.)

After I cleaned my Remington up, I remembered my father had his grandfather’s typewriter, so naturally I offered to adopt it and use it. This one is older than the Remington by about 20 years; it’s an Oliver no. 9 and despite some alignment adjustments needing to be made for the letters to all be on the same line, also works quite well.

I also have been garden planning (perhaps somewhat early, but since there’s a lot of grass I’m going to be removing from my lawn it is probably a good thing). I was given some indigofera suffruticosa seeds, which really grow best in subtropical and tropical climates, but I’m going to plant them and see what happens.

I did finish making my natural dye sampler book, and the colors and organization give my brain happy chemicals. I’m going to be doing eco printing again soon with friends and I am very excited about it.

Today I am reading The Ghost Bride and it is pretty good so far! I saw the Netflix adaptation a while back so I’m curious to see where it differs from the show. The cats are keeping me company as I putter about the house.

I am very glad I am not on social media anymore; I am blissfully ignorant of most news. As much as I love memes, it’s like I have managed to silence a part of my head that was constantly screaming “We’re all doomed!!!” over and over again. I wouldn’t say it’s peaceful, but it is quieter, and I feel like the impact I make is more meaningful. I hope it is.