Next week: NAACP event features “Respect” wall-hangings!

I’m thrilled that my work will be included in the items auctioned by the King County NAACP during the Live Virtual Event next week! Two “Respect” wall-hangings–“For Him” (left) and “For Her” (right) will be featured. Details below!

Here’s to the great work done by the NAACP in Washington state and nation-wide!

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1. “Respect” wall-hanging “For Him” (left, above)

2. “Respect” wall-hanging “For Her” (right, above)

The “Respect” wall-hangings: civil rights artwork for the home!

There are many symbols stitched in these wall hangings, such as the three little birds which conjure up Bob Marley’s song, the state names, and the two pockets which represent resourcefulness, grit, and homegrown American sweetness. The artworks represent an effort to honor Black culture in the USA, so that the history of struggles, the ongoing connection to Africa, and hopes for the future live on.

Both feature fabric from today’s leading designers—the historical vignettes of dignified African Americans are made of “Harlem Toile de Jouy” by Sheila Bridges and the silhouettes of Afro-wearing women by Aphrochic—both of Brooklyn, NY.

– Three patches declare our political statement: 1) a portrait in yellow and black of slain civil rights leader Malcolm X, 2) a cheery reminder of Bob Marley’s song “One Love,” and 3) the slogan “Respect Existence or Expect Resistance.”

– The back of “For Him” is made of plain red cotton; “For Her” is made of a blue and green African print resembling a palm tree or long-necked woman. Both are bordered with Japanese block prints from Hosekibako, an elegant resale shop in Seattle’s Int’l District; “For Him” features white cotton with brown bamboo and flowers; “For Her” features a dark blue cotton with large black lilies.

– Materials: cotton, satin, denim, flannel

– Size:  Height: 37”; Width: 57”; Depth: 1/3:

– Polyester batting (1/3” thick) assures lightweight warmth and a cozy feel.

– Quilted the old-fashioned way, with tiny knots of embroidery floss, tied on the back.

– The final binding is stitched on by hand, with tiny stitches to keep it safe and sound.

– Each wall-hanging has a cloth “sleeve” at the top, for easy mounting (with a stick or dowel and a couple nails).

Made in Seattle by Honey Girl Books and Gifts LLC: a woman-owned business, estab. 2018, by Seattle native Julia Douthwaite Viglione (daughter of G.K. “Jeff” Douthwaite, former WA state legislator and civil rights advocate).

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneyGirlBooksGifts

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Respect wall-hangings, backs, “For Him” (left) and “For Her” (right)

Advertisement

we do not achieve things …

by way of proclamations and slogans

but through

persistence,

effort,

and

enthusiasm.

“May 15” in Path to Peace by Shi Wuling.

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The venerable Shi Wuling once came to South Bend, IN, and it is from her that I first learned about Buddhism. Lately I’ve delved into Tibetan Buddhism with Lama Surya Das’s audiobooks, Buddha Standard Time and Buddha Is as Buddha Does. Perhaps it’s working, because I finally feel more at home at home. It’s almost three years since we moved. Since I left my identity at the curb and took on a new everything. (Well not quite everything. The husband and dog are the same.)

And I swear we’ve both lost 10 years in attitude-drag. To see him on his e-bike & going to the gym, and me with my regular T’ai chi and Aikido sessions, we are both way more disciplined and physically fit than we were in our 50s. We’re also cheerful now. I think we are actually happy, most of the time. Pretty amazing in comparison with the stressed-out wrecks we used to be!

Funny, what you realize when you have the time to realize stuff.

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Creating intricate quilts with symbolic meanings and diverse textures continues to be my passion and way of communicating with the world. Above and below you’ll see some pics of my latest work, the “Respect” and “RARE” quilt projects, which have drawn me to connect with people of color from all around the USA and increasingly, here in my hometown. That development–and the chats, smiles, and thank you letters I’ve received–give me great pleasure and life satisfaction.

Thinking it over as I work in silence, I realize that these projects are a continuation of friend-making I learned to do in France. After years of feeling estranged in my beloved adoptive country, and never really connecting in a long-term way with a French person, I moved to France again in 2001. We would be there for two years, so I needed a friend. One day, I put up a card in the library, asking basically if anybody felt like being friends. Or at least talk once a week. Then 9/11 happened the very next day. And on 9/12, two French women called. It worked. Life-long friendships were born there in the Bibliothèque anglophone on rue Boisnet in Angers, France.

Now I’m trying to reach out, or deepen friendships, with people from a different population–namely my fellow citizens. Through the “Respect” quilts, I seek to support and celebrate people of color in the USA. And make friends, if possible. As a very white person living in a very white city, it is not that easy. But little by little, what do you know? The same technique seems to work. People like people who like them. A smile begets another. Hope begets hope. One person’s search meets another’s.

These latest quilts are for inspiring Black women who live in the Seattle area, a top-echelon hospital administrator (and a friend, whose name starts with “J”) and an award-winning high school student.

Drop by West Seattle Grounds coffee shop during the month of June and you will be surrounded by my handiwork. I’ll be there in person smiling at everybody, and hosting the “Make a quilt” game, during the West Seattle ArtWalk on June 10 from 5-8pm.

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On another note, it would be amiss of me to neglect mention of Taiyaki, a Japanese delicacy that I discovered today after T’ai chi class. (Which was fantastic as always.) The taiyaki truck Bean Fish parked right behind me. When I smelled that good smell and saw the truck sitting there, I thought: “If this is not synchronicity then I don’t know what is!”

Wow! Good call. I highly recommend the Food Truck, Bean Fish, for these deliciously comforting treats. I had an “original” with red bean paste and loved the warm, crunchy, gushy sweet combo of flaky crust, soft inner layer and perfectly textured bean paste (very important). Plus the adorable fish’s face and cute scales! It made me quite content, all the way home.

(Or for the rant version: all the way through the convoluted Pioneer Square detours, past the rude/terrifying speeders who zoom by and/or cut in on the highways, and behind the long lines of patient neighbors working our way back to “Vashon East”, otherwise known as West Seattle, cut off from the mainland since 2020 when our bridge broke.)

Either way, it was an excellent Saturday morning.

FYI: The Bean Fish truck is parked across the street from the busy and amazing Asian grocery store, Uwajimaya, for your shopping convenience.

Long live Seattle’s International District and Chinatown, for bringing the tastes, sounds, smells, and arts of Asia to the West!!

forever young, for Greg (and thanks, Bob Dylan)

I just learned that a friend of mine died. I will miss his brightness–he was electric! Greg was a man of witty conversation, warm bear hugs, and passionately-held beliefs that fueled–along with many excellent wines and wonderful food–heated debates over dinner tables in Michigan, Indiana, and in France. Because Greg was not only a voracious reader and bon vivant, he was also a traveler, fluent in French like his wife Catherine, my friend and colleague of many years at Notre Dame. I remember when they met, how in love they were, how beautiful it was to witness and to enjoy being with them. Greg even came to our monthly Café français with students, on occasion! What a guy.

So this morning I’ve been moving around with a heavy heart. Luckily I had the good sense to turn on the radio to KEXP, and wouldn’t you know it, DJ John Richards just played the perfect song for Greg (for us, really): “Forever Young,” by Bob Dylan. Listen to the music here (with heart-breaking photos of Dylan over the years), and here, for a purer version of the music.

So rest now, friend Greg and go where you are, assured you will live on in our sad hearts, and we’ll think of you over dinner tonight, and pause to give thanks for knowing you. And may Catherine come visit us soon. And we’ll drink toasts to Greg, and tell stories, and laugh through our tears, and we too will stay forever young…

Forever Young

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

1973, Ram’s Horn Music.

Lyrics from: https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/forever-young/

in honor of a certain special person … can you guess who?

“One showing is worth a hundred sayings” — Chinese proverb

I’m trying to be discreet but I’m so happy I could burst! and so I’m sharing a few images of the latest “Respect” quilt (no. 6) that shipped out today. It is heading to a person I’ve never met, but hope to some day…

May 2021 be the year when we all make a new friend.

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day 73: dear country, let me help

Today dawns on a weary, frightened populace as we look around at a nation torn apart by so many calamities. It is overwhelming. I seek to respond but don’t know how, apart from shedding some tears for the civil rights movement we felt was so wonderful while I was growing up, and all the hopes now dashed again, proven wrong yet again. I’m especially worried for my black women friends who are raising sons in this toxic environment. But I am really sorry for all of us, because today you and I are suffering.  Even if we think we’re exempt / immune /numb and incapable of taking in any more horrors, we are suffering. I turn to the Buddhist writings of Thich Nhat Hanh for guidance. I’ve been thinking and singing in my head the Billy Swan song, “I Can Help,” for hours.  Clearly, it would do me good to do you good. But how?

Here is what I learned from the Buddhist:

“When we are suffering, we have a strong need for the presence of the person we love. If we are suffering and the man or woman we love ignores us, then we suffer more. So what we can do—and right away—is to manifest our true presence to the beloved person and say the mantra with force: ‘Dear one, I know that you are suffering; that is why I am here for you.’”*

Today, we need love all around. Maybe you’re missing THE person you love. OK, can’t help with that. But I can be one person speaking up to you today with a friendly gesture that is real.

Dear reader,

I know that you are suffering. That is why I’m writing. I want to remind you that your life matters, your mind matters, your potential matters. Your words and actions matter. All the people who have died matter, and we will remember them, and keep demanding an end to the violence. And if you would like a face mask to wear during this ongoing COVID-19 crisis, or quilt to celebrate life, let me know. I can help with that. (Quilts $100 today only; lead time 3-6 months.)

Thank you.

With hope and solidarity,

Julia   (use the Contact form to communicate requests for masks or quilt information, or just to chat. I’ll check in frequently.)

p.s. sorry for such a minute response to what is really a shattering moment in American history, but apart from nothing—symbolic silence—I could not think of anything worth writing. It’s all out there in the news, I can only offer face masks or quilts, and a few words of comfort.  But remembering Billy Swan, I just had to say, “let me help”.

***

Here are a few examples of memory quilts from the past, fyi

and fyi, Yesterday’s face mask production

*Thich Nhat Hanh, “Love is Being Present,” Right Here with You: Bringing Mindful Awareness into Our Relationships, ed. Andrea Miller and the editors of the Shambhala Sun (Boston, Shambhala, 2011), 7.

Day Two: make new friends before moving! why not?

Discovery of Day Two (38 to go)

It seems like I’m making new friends these days! If that seems like a funny thing to happen right before you leave, I agree. But on the other hand, why not?!

The picture here was made possible by some new friends from France who came to dinner last night. The mug says, “Demain je me lève de bonheur”: Tomorrow I’m getting up happy. (A play on the homonyms de bonne heure –early—and bonheur—happiness.)

Which reminds me of one of the great things about teaching: the students. Our exchange program with the Univ. de Rennes II (founded by me and friends Isabelle Brouard-Arends & Laurent Loty, in 2008) has been such a wonderful addition to our French program at Notre Dame. Last night’s dinner guests were the last in a long line of Masters students and their parents, but no less beloved for it! I hope we’ll meet again in Brittany one day. My secret weapon (a professional chef husband) has made those visits to South Bend memorable for all of us.

Thanks to all the students I’ve come to know.  You’ve made my work a pleasure. (Well, most of you.)  ^_^

more flood pics from South Bend, and a sign of spring

 

This force of nature is barreling through towns and drowning homes right and left! These pics were taken across the street from my house on Riverside Drive, South Bend. But the whole region of  “Michiana”–that is, northern Indiana and southern Michigan–is affected. It’s the St Joseph River, an often placid, but unpredictable river in the best of times,  but still people canoe there and go fishing.  But now look at it!

It looks like a Mack truck coming at you. The two bridges over the river from my side were both out this morning; it took 45 minutes to do what usually takes 8.

Yikes!

On a lighter note, while waiting for me to finish taking pictures, Honey Girl pulled me over to a sign of spring.

sign of spring! see the green shoots pushing through the dead leaves?

(so is the trash everywhere, actually, a sign of spring. It means the snow just melted.)

Right after coming over to ask when we were leaving, as in the picture below, Honey Girl licked my nose. That is a high praise! (She is not a big licking dog. She prefers to “talk” in all kinds of funny groans or get her squeaky toy and put on a squeaking show). I feel honored.

That reminds me of Rousseau’s Confessions. In book 6 of the Confessions Rousseau describes his fondness for taming pigeons and keeping bees: “I have always taken a singular pleasure in taming animals, above all those that are fearful and wild. It appeared charming to me to inspire them with a confidence that I never abused. I wanted them to love me in freedom” (Conf, CW, 5:196).

Honey Girl, 2/22/18

 

 

 

happy thoughts about friends, France, and stuff

 

Hello readers!

I am happy to announce that I am back from a long, long trip.

“Where were you?” you might be thinking?

Well, I was away seeing friends I need to see as often as possible. Took a couple weeks to live without media, in France. You see, I love France. Have for 40 years!

I just decided to go see friends and not work. Just travel around Paris to Angers, then Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets, seeing great people.  A pastoral interlude with safe friends from wayback, beautiful young women I knew at age five and three.

Then back to Paris in a whirlwind of talkative visits with dear friends new and old, back over to the USA and wham, right into the maelstrom of Newark — New York –Subway–A Train–dark and thundering intimidating and thrilling world of New york City!!  Thank you Joyce for two days I will never forget.

But, whew.  That was a long time and a whole lot of talking for an introvert like me. I sometimes don’t realize how much I don’t talk. Until I’m out there.

Out among you,

Mes semblables, mes frères.

(I missed my sewing machine.)

And now I’m stunned to be sitting here sitting on the sofa,

Chapped lips, dry throat, cold windows and air.

I feel stunned.  The only thing to do is stop.

and write instead, a little, til I find my voice again tomorrow in the classroom.

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The lesson of my travels is: Carpe diem!  Enjoy your lives! Go see your friends and loved ones, that’s where money should go.

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By the way, Delta lost my suitcase on the way over, and I was stuck for three days in Paris with no change of clothes. This problem was quickly solved by the nearby and remarkably well-stocked, excellent Monoprix, and a very nice crew-neck acrylic pink sweater I got for ten euros on rue Mouffetard. Later that night, I noted that the sleek blue trousse de toilette they gave me at Delta was a strangely familiar site. All four of us already have Delta trousses de toilette. The man’s Tshirt was a nice touch, though.

Anyway, that was three weirdly anxious days. Not really anxious at all, I thought, making do with good will on a stubby toothbrush and a thin comb. But when I came back from Saint-Jean to Paris, and that adorable man at the desk of Hotel de l’Esperance said, “They brought your suitcase back!” I was shocked by how happy it made me. I felt waves of love for my favorite jacket and clean underwear.

Ohhhhh stuff, we love you. You anchor us to the earth, for better or worse.

 

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Photo credits: Félix Vallotin, Le Rayon, (The Sunbeam) and a hopeful spring moment caught late one January night on Square Medard, Paris, 5e.

Thank you, and heureuse année, to all my friends over in France and New York City!

 

 

dull day with headache, made better by a dog

Just so you realize I don’t feel great all the time. The meditation and T’ai chi this morning did help, though it seems like that was a long time ago now.

Luckily there’s Honey Girl to keep me warm during this cold winter evening while I grade papers and balance books.  Here she is posing with the labels for my new line of Honey Girl and Books pillows and narrative quilts, and a new purchase, Mercer Mayer’s book, The Queen Always Wanted to Dance.

This well-loved copy, bought via Abebooks.com, is particularly wonderful because it comes from a small-town library in Georgia and still has the cards in its pocket where young readers signed their names to check it out. Seeing the typewritten words on the cards and the childish scrawls beneath gave me a pang. That reminder of how things used to be in the analog world of my childhood, reminds us of what we have lost in the rush to do everything online.

a mysterious yet trusting postcard

Last summer, I received the postcard seen here: a sinuous black-and-white icon symbolizing the lesson, “Don’t be Selfish.” After marveling over its beauty, I puzzled for days over the message, asking myself things like, “What French-speaker do I know who is also learning Thai? Why would someone go to all the trouble to send this card to me, knowing I cannot read it?” and most importantly, “Who would trust me to figure out the answers?!”

When I finally got the card into the hands of a Thai-speaker, who translated the signature as “Jasmine flower,” I thought immediately of a lovely young art student (named Jaz) I met this year. When I wrote to her, she replied, “Finally!!!”

What a gift!  What Jaz gave me is the gift of trust. She trusted me to figure out the mysterious message. She trusted me to do so in my own time. She trusted me and waited patiently, until I did what she had hoped I would do.

Why is trust so hard for us?

As Bob Klein writes in Movements of Magic, “Don’t you trust yourself? Don’t you trust that you are a good human being who, if allowed to do whatever you wished, would do positive and loving things? What lies have you fallen for? Have they frightened you into believing there is a monster within you? It’s not a monster. It’s Body-Mind, your own true self….  the artist within you, the true creator and apprentice of Nature herself.”*

The next time you are dealt a mystery or encounter a challenging situation, try thinking in terms of trust. You are most likely capable of handling it. That is why you received it!

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Bob Klein, Movements of Magic, p. 18.