Yes, Virginia you can knit
Yes, you too… Hey if it’s good enough for Audrey…
Today is my day to host lunch for our little knitting group so in honor of that here is a little inspirational video to get you to pick up some needles and get started too. I learned from videos myself you know. If I can so can you.
Best,Kwana
Stretch
stretch (str ch) KEY
VERB:
stretched, stretch·ing, stretch·es
VERB:
tr.- To lengthen, widen, or distend: stretched the sweater out of shape.
- To cause to extend from one place to another or across a given space: stretched the banner between two poles.
- To make taut; tighten: stretched the tarpaulin until it ripped.
- To reach or put forth; extend: stretched out his hand.
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- To extend (oneself or one’s limbs, for example) to full length: stretched her calves before running.
- To extend (oneself) when lying down: she stretched herself out on the couch.
- To put to torture on the rack.
- To wrench or strain (a muscle, for example).
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- To extend or enlarge beyond the usual or proper limits: stretch the meaning of a word.
- To subject to undue strain: to stretch one’s patience.
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- To expand in order to fulfill a larger function: stretch a budget; stretch a paycheck.
- To increase the quantity of by admixture or dilution: stretch a meal by thinning the stew.
- To prolong: stretch out an argument.
- Informal To fell by a blow: stretched his opponent in the first round.
Even though in the process of editing my last manuscript I was doing a lot of taking away and the object was not to expand, I found that the exercise stretched me beyond where I had gone before.
How have you stretched yourself recently? Have you stretched yourself or have you been a limp rubber band?
Now excuse me while I beg someone for a massage. These muscles are sore!
Best,
Kwana
In/Sane Woman
This woman hangs out on my inspiration board which is over my little desk. Sometimes she’s hidden behind seemingly prettier more well behaved pictures or sayings. Tucked away just a little corner of color, a finger, a breast or an eye peeking out. Then things get jostled, moved around and she’s back out in full view. It’s like she’s pushed her way out and won’t be hidden behind the pretty.
Woman I by Willam de Kooning.
I don’t know what made me instantly pick her up as soon as my eyed washed over her in the MoMa gift shop but my hands flew to her and it was like picking up a part of me. Wild, scattered, colorful, fierce but constrained.
I’m feeling very much like Woman I as I go into the weekend. Hope it’s not too bumpy a ride. Have a good weekend.
Best,
Kwana
The Danger of One Story
Thanks to all who commented on the UPTOWN interview yesterday. You still have until midnight tonight to be entered to win. So scroll down here and comment so you don’t miss out.
Today I’m posting the wonderful TED talk that Virgina and Donna spoke about from Novelist Chimamanda Adichie where she tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice. So worth listening to. I’d love to know your thoughts.
Have a wonderful day!
Best,
Kwana
Good Indeed
“Faith is stepping out on nothing and landing on something.”
Photo from here
Yes, our faith (well, my faith) is constantly being put to the test, sadly, it seems now more than ever. But this is a Good Friday indeed and as always I’m taking that step.
Best,
Kwana
Change
With Spring in the air I’m feeling the need for a change. It’s time for a long overdue sprucing up on ye’ old blog.
But as with all change it’s a little scary. I have tried going at it with help from the professionals but it was not meant to be so I’m taking matters into my own hands and working on things myself-ish (a little help from friends is nice).
But, I love control anyway and sometimes it’s better to control your own destiny. At least that’s what I tell my kids (cut to me biting my nails).
I have long wanted to go from Blogger to WordPress or maybe do a Full Blown Site so wish me luck (Lord knows I don’t want to lose a bloggy thing). So please keep checking back here for updates and hopefully a new home coming soon.
Time to spread my wings!
Have any of you made some significant changes lately or are planning to?
Best,
Kwanaimages from here.
Help When You Need It
What’s Jack up to? Jack is doing good. The silly little dog is having a day with the dear twins since is been officially called a snow day so the weekend begins early at my house. Enough with the snow please. I’m done.
And yes, this was a huge honking storm. Trees down and all that. My DH got stuck and his car couldn’t make it up the hill coming home last night. Thankfully he was in front of the town’s fire house and a bunch of young guys came out and pushed his car up the hill.
It’s so good to have help when you need it.
These pics were taken at night.
Then later when walking Jack late in the evening he saw a huge tree had fallen around the corner. Of course I had to go out and see. Down right on the power lines.
On our walk suddenly the big guns were out, this huge tractor. The driver was so funny. He pulled up beside us and said, “Did you call a cab?” Yep, Good to have help when you need it.
Speaking of help when you need it… Laura from Shore(house) Chic blog is doing a Help for Haiti auction over at her blog. Because they still need so much help and will for a long time to come. Laura has some wonderful handmade pieces to go to the highest bidder. Go here to check it out.
Best,
KwanaSurrender
Surrender : transitive verb 1 a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demandb : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another 2 a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)Some days you just want to throw your hands up and not in a joyful way, but in a way of frustration, in an act of defeat. The day can be going along smoothly and all it takes is one thing, a rock in the road to trip you up and take you off course, causing you to take your eyes off the horizon and your ultimate joy and you want to surrender. To give up, to say fine I’m done, have at it world, take all I’ve got.
But then you realize that there are some things you can’t do that with. Some instances where you can’t surrender or your stubborn mother’s heart just won’t let you. Because when it comes to your children is there really ever any surrender? Not as long as there is hope, love, fight and breath.So you grit your teeth and hang in for the fight. Throwing up your hands and clinching them into fists at the rest of the world if you have to because the only act of Surrender when it comes to your children, in your heart and mind, is the Surrendering to the will of God. Nothing less will do.Best,
KwanaGood News- Update
Hello all! I could not wait to share the good news that I got today from my doctor. No Cancer! Horray! And Thank God!My surgery went well and I’m healing ok. Still sore and watching not to bump into things. No big hugs from me… yet, but they will be coming soon. I will have to continue to check things out with Mammos every six months but that is just part of life.Life. Yes! Time to get on with that. What a difference a minute makes. Wow.I wanted to give you all a thanks from the bottom, top, oh just every part of my heart for all of your encouraging words, prayers and positive thoughts… I feel a Happy New Year coming on!With Much Love,KwanaHarlem Holidays
What’s Jack up to? Jack is doing great and recuperating from the excitement of Christmas. He had so much fun with family dropping in and by being totally spoiled by having Nana over with him for a few days so he was sad to see her go back home. I know, Jack me too. Thanks to all of you for your 2 year blogiversary well wishes. Who knew I could blab so much? Thanks again for sticking with me.A few of you were sweet enough to ask about Nana and she sends her holiday best wishes to you! I made sure to head to her place and take a few pictures to share this year’s Harlem Holiday Hallways with you. Here are Nana and my Aunt Cynthia saying Merry Christmas.
Cynthia along with other neighbors are the masters behind the WOW hallways. Can you believe they actually had lights this year? And the wrapping paper on each door is too funny, but I love it. A present in each apartment.
And they say neighbors don’t get together anymore. I think they do. All it takes is a little community care and friendly cooperation. Hmm…I wonder if the government is listening?Best,
Kwana
