Weaving connections
Fabric metaphors
I’ve long been a fiber art fan. I learned to read a knitting pattern in law school when I lived with my friend Naomi G., an expert knitter. Her passion for knitting is infectious, and I found it ideal to have a teacher on hand who could untangle my bloopers at any time of day or night.
It’s cool how the vocabulary of fabric entwines with storytelling. We weave a story, tell a yarn, unspool a mystery. A plot is threaded through a book. We spin tales, and write about enmeshed lovers who tie the knot if they marry.
Last week I went to a show at the National Gallery called “Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction.” It was eye candy for me. Below are pictures from the exhibit.
For me, textile vocabulary also describes aspirations for today’s moment. I hope we can knit together coalitions, weave meaningful networks, and celebrate how our diverse backgrounds mesh to form the fabric of American society.
I am inspired by this week’s events, including President Biden’s patriotism. Tonight I am phone banking for the Environmental Voter Project. I can also suggest Volunteer Blue for phone banking. There are lots of other options as well. I am excited to donate to The Collective PAC which supports, funds, and elects Black candidates up and down ballot. And I want to share Jennifer Craven’s excellent Substack, Chop Wood, Carry Water, which contains daily ways to support our democracy.
This week, I finished two extraordinary books. The first was published a few years ago. THE MEMORY POLICE, by Yoko Ogawa (elegantly translated by Stephen Snyder), is a fable/allegory about the societal impact of the loss of memory on a small Japanese island.
The second is BITTER WATER OPERA by Nicolette Polek. It’s an imaginative journey into Death Valley to find self and God, compressed into a gorgeous short novel.
I’m delighted to share my latest podcast, with Julia Daily for her show, “Authors Over 50.”
Have a wonderful week.
Love,
Martha
Your sweaters are wonderful! You tugged at my heartstrings today, Martha, as I'm a fan of fiber art, too. If I weren't a writer, I'd be a quilter plus. I've had quilt pieces spread across my floors, but then writing took over my life. There have been a couple of works-in-progress I could only make sense of after printing them, cutting them apart, and moving the pieces around on the dining room table.