The backyard. Snow doesn't stick around long most years, so you gotta take pictures quickly. This was taken in the morning, and two hours later, the snow was gone. |
You know what I do to cope with this depression? I let myself cry and fret, instead of asking myself what's wrong with me. I eat chocolate... the strong, 85 percent kind. I try to go for daily walks, get fresh air and a lovely view of the grey sky. When the sun comes out, I frantically try to expose my skin to it.
And I dye wool. There's nothing like color to lift depression.
Right?
I have been experimenting for years with dyeing wool naturally. Lichen is a great and easy way to get color. It's such a magical process, this alchemy of collecting lichen in the forest, simmering it on the woodstove for a day, and then immersing wool into it and letting it do its magic for several hours. In the photo above, the brown-golden roving on the right has been dyed with lichen, and the yarn on the left was spun with it. The shiny part is mohair.
Lungwort lichen |
Another strategy for battling depression is knitting. I can't wait to show you the sweater I knit for Steve. It has taken a couple of months to complete, and it still needs to have a collar, but I can show you the parts I have blocked. By next week, he will wear it.
I am also knitting hats for felting to stock up my inventory. Christmas markets are good for me - people buy my hats, and I need to make more.
Another anti-depressant: find yourself a cute little girl who gives you flowers.
Aren't you glad I'm giving you so many tips to stay sane?
The blocked sweater front and back, plus a felted hat, drying in front of the woodstove. |
Your daughter is so cute! And you are super-creative and super-talented. I am inspired by your versatility and resourcefulness. I love the lichen-dyed yarn. And your felt hats are adorable. I have to get the purple one! Much love to you and your family. I agree that colors really brighten the soul! I also like dancing to shake off the blues. Good music is magical for that too.
ReplyDeleteTuyet - Yes! Music is another antidote for depression. I should have mentioned that!
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