September 8, 2002
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My Place in Time
Old-fashioned things appeal to me. I like to grind the wheat I use to make bread. I prefer quilting or crochet to web design. I like to read classics. But, I like to enjoy all these pursuits in the comfort of my airconditioned home. The Eighteenth Century might be a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
I imagine that my wheat grinder would be a terrifying contraption to bakers of millenia past. It makes a sound like a jet engine taking off in my kitchen, and it produces flour much finer than that which was offered to kings of old. But, they would still recognize that the bread is bread.
When I design a quilt and sew the little bits of fabric together, I feel a connection to the women of previous generations. What did they think about as they performed the same tasks and steps? Did they know they were creating art, or did they see quilting as just another chore, something that must be done to care for their family? I use a fancy schmancy rotary cutter and quilting grid that my grandmother couldn't even imagine. I buy quilters fabrics instead of using feedsacks. But, in the end, it still comes down to a quilt.
When I read a book, its an exhausting process. I ask - Where does it fit in the stream of ideas? Is this author making certain statements in order to answer questions or argue against conclusions that some other author wrote? Would he still have written this sentence if he'd known about what his sons in philosophy would take to be self-evident truth? I can sit at their feet, but I can't ask them what they meant by that statement.
So what's an old-fashioned person like me doing with a new-fangled thing like a web log? I read your sites and think about the ideas that you bring up. From you I pick up a topic and bring it back here for a blog of my own. I came to Xanga to hone my writing skill and style. I've tried keeping a journal, but you know what, journals don't talk back. I crave your comments. In the past year as a direct result of your comments, I've been led to a whole bookshelf of new material and ideas. Some of the topics that I talked about as recently as six months ago, I'd take an entirely different angle on now, because you have broadened my perspective.
Sometime this week, I'll cross a milestone with my Xanga blog. My 10,000th visitor will open this page. None of you have to come here. There are thousands of Xanga pages that are funnier, smarter, better written. You certainly don't have to comment here. But, if it weren't for you and the kindness of your participation, I wouldn't be here. I'd be sitting in my corner talking to my wall. While it's true that the wall never argues with me, it's never challenged me, stimulated me, intrigued me, made me laugh at myself, encouraged me, or spoken kind words to me either.
Because of you the ideas have been ground finer and the quilt is more colorful than anything I could imagine producing on my own. Thank you.
Comments (32)
*old-fashioned* was modern back then! We are the *old-fashioned* of the future. Maybe your blogging is the way to communicate what it felt like *way back then* (actually, now) to the generations of the future.
Oh, perhaps some might write better than you...but you have that special quality that gives you a strong well rounded form of writing. You begin by writing about flour and how fine it is, and end with the statement that your readers are refining you. Perfect blog, perfect entry in all details. I leave here satisfied. I also smile when I think of your humility evident in your words. You are a kind, wise and spiritual woman...and I am glad I come here (although I've not been here long!)!
johh said it so nicely.
and would you believe, the pleasure is all mine in the reading? i like the ideas you put forth. i like that you make me think.
you grind your own wheat? that is a surprise. wow. and classics are always good, i like to intersperse my reading with the old and the new. btw, i know how to crochet. is that wierd or what?
Sometimes when I come here I'm ashamed of the gibberish I throw up on my site. You take the time to craft an eloquent and thoughtful blog every time you write. It is obvious that you care for those in your immediate vicinity, as well as those far far away from you. I feel lucky to have tangible evidence of your grasp on the old-fashioned stuffs, Terri.
I try to keep up with the quality and pace you set but I can't get past shoe laces.
Excellent post!
Well, I don't know about you, but I like my modern conviences. I also love to quilt, cook, cross stitch, garden and even churn butter. And thank you for making me think an giving me something wonderful to read.
You mix the old with the new very well from the sound of it. I really enjoy reading your blogs.
Belinda
U are truly traditional.
What Daffodilious said. Your blogs are not only thoughtfully written but thought-provoking.
'Clicked over here from Daff's site. Now that I'm here, I'm wondering why it's taken me over a month and two days (that's how long I've been with Xanga) to find you?!? I've probably seen your name here and there, but never checked you out. I like your introspective writing, it has a calming quality to it... so I'll be visiting more often. Come over when you get a chance. I write mostly (too)long short stories, but sometimes shorter blathers. See ya! (I hope)
I LOVE your blog. You're you, without trying to convince everyone else they have to be like you. It's beautiful.
I think those women knew they were part of something bigger than themselves as they were quilting, in much the same way that you do. (However, I'm sure they had their more mundane moments as well.) Quilting is a tradition that follows generation after generation & you take pride in being part of that.
I know I take pride in my great grandmother's quilt. It was given to my mother on her wedding day (30+yrs ago)...& someday it will be given to me. Even though I'm not a quilter, I respect the family history (wounds & triumphs) wrapped up in it...
What kind of wheat grinder do you have? I'm in the market to purchase one.
Any way................I'm glad you're not talking to the wall! I enjoy reading your blogs. You freely give and freely receive. It is a blessing!
Terri I am smiling what you write you are " an old-fashioned person " . Why the " old " . You have fairy ' s fingers able to create a makes wonders . If only we can see some of them .
The conection with previous is true . I feel that when I am working in my vegetable garden like my father made .
Amitié
Michel
Thanks for the grinder info!
You're a gem.
although I dont come by and comment as often as I should, I always read and think your blog is very interesting
God Bless - Dale
a great analogy!
I think you have done pretty well with this 'new fangled' blog thing
Nice blog. I've added you to my list. You are aood writer!
10,000...wow! (You're far more popular than me...I've not even reached the 5,000 mark yet.)
I make my own bread, too - now I recall that you sent my wife and I a recipe long before she went back on The Atkins Diet. (It came out very good, too.) I used to enjoy adding a couple of ounces of buckwheat, corn or other flour to the basic bread recipe back in England. Once I made a buckwheat dough...and went out for a few hours waiting for it to rise. When I got home, it had been fermenting on the dough for six hours - and it smelt like a wine cellar in the kitchen. (It still coooked great, though.) Then I went onto making sourdough bread - you have to ferment that even longer.
Another good trick is to grind down pulses (it sounds like you are grinding stones)...and add a few tablespoons to the mix - it adds extra protein to the bread...and a little bit more taste.
Here endeth the bread lesson...
i quilt ##
I have to disagree with you...there aren't many Xanga pages that are funnier, smarter or better written than yours...yours are definately in my top 10! I always come away from a visit knowing or feeling something new or feeling refreshed. Thank you. Spot
You must have intense concentration, I have never had the patience to do any sort of sewing. My husband even sews buttons on for me. Perhaps in a past life you were one of those 18th Century wives making your own bread and helping making large quilts with other women. They don't seem to do that out here. Thanks for your visit to me. Cheers Portia
I love your page! You may be "old fashioned", bbut I don't think so. You are very articulate, thought provoking, and funny. Keep it up! And I also love to bake bread, and am about to embark on my first quilt.
Your humilty is amazing to me.
You really grind you own wheat? Im truely am a slug.
(Sada doesn't know she is just not 'up' on homeschool trends, lol!
) I am with you on loving the interaction of a blog vs. a journal.
You made me think of a little book I have enjoyed about quilting--sort of! It is called "The Quilt" by T. Davis Bunn. It's one of those small "gift book" looking books and it is only about 100 pages (like a long magazine article.) If you ever come across it, consider reading it. It is a gem!
I hope you have a great week!
I think what you have to say is always so very interesting.
Make your own bread? I'm lucky if I remember to buy my own bread. Hmm.... actually I did forget to buy my own bread yesterday.
I love your blogs! Don't tell Tim, but really I only come to work for the T1 line. I have internet at home, but it takes to long to download all of your graphics, so I got this job instead.
So you have a Magicd Mill too? Yep, sounds like a jet plane. We're getting low on wheat. Where do you get yours?
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