This week, I invited you to pose a few questions - thank you for entering the conversation!
Most of your inquiries were about some of my interests - spirituality, crafts, and studying Cherokee - where did they begin?
All are rooted in growing up with my parents - nurtured and inspired by their love, and inspired by their interests. We each had our own take on these - and i was encouraged to deepen with my own.
Lois • Nadya • Byrle - 1962
I'm an only child, and my parents were 37 and 40 when I was born!
My mum had polio during the epidemic in 1921, and was on crutches from her teens until she was 85, and went into a wheelchair for the next 7. Her mama encouraged her to do what she could for herself, and she did!
Lois was plucky and self sufficient, training as a secretary, and working around the state for the Farm agency. My folks met at Grange (a Fraternal farm organization) in the 30s, when AB came to Central Oregon to farm with his brother. I was impressed to hear that built a little windmill, to power a radio! They married after he came back from WWII, and she'd returned to works at the Extension Office in Redmond. At 37, she was happy to have her long hoped for 'chick' and stayed home to raise me.
Cupboard AB built in HS shop ~ 1926
Creativity (and music!)
- Lois usually had a crotchet or knitting project, and a book! She also took craft classes, candle making, basket Weaving - and she loved learning!
She crocheted a bedspread 'square per evening' When they were first married - and knit a layette for me (and for every baby she could!) Plus sweaters, my dad's slippers, Christmas and Easter decorations, bandages for a friend at a medical mission ... and sewed many of my dresses - and perhaps a matching dress for my doll!
Rowan and Nadya, Senior Center, autumn 2023
We went to church and Grange, and I started singing in the choir with my dad at 13. AB had a lovely tenor voice, and was often asked to sing for weddings or funerals - we did a few of the latter together. I took piano lessons, and through my teens, was Pomona (one of the 3 Graces - goddess of fruit) and our Grange musician.
I got my first harp in 1993, the year after my dad passed - and my mom (always our best audience!) loved hearing me play! I sing in my church choir, and play harp for events - and yes, weddings and funerals!
Old Hen (Lois) - Nattokin (nadya)
While I learned to crochet easily, knitting didn't 'take' till I was in my 20s. I loved to draw, and took a bit of art in school. I'd get paint by numbers kits at the dime store, then use the extra paint on my own pictures.
Curtain I crocheted in the 70s
My mother-in-love, Dorty, was a botanist, and did lovely pastels - crayfish in a stream, an African violet from a photo in a plant id book (using coloring from her own on the windowsill) ... and my sister-in laws did some scientific illustration
Dorty and I shared a spinning wheel and learned to spin and to knit together, and she shared patterns from the French 'Mon Tricot' magazine. In her 60s, she helped with the sheering at the farm raising her favorite fleece (shiny white Corridale and black or dark brown Karikul) And i carded the fleece with wool cards that came on the wagon with my great grandmother Laura
I passed the spinning wheel on to a niece, but found a drop spindle at a thrift store that I use when I get the urge to spin.
I get lamb and sometimes wool from 'Bide A Wee' at our farmers market - Karen raises two ancient breeds, Jacobs (spotted) and Navaho-Churro. Both are on the Livestock Conservancy's conservation priority list, and the sheep are pastured. They have a good working herd, and are well respected for their breeding stock. - Julie asked, 'Is this a soul collage card?' And about how spirituality and creativity connect for me.
Yes it is, Julie!
I've played with Soul Collage for awhile - I love making the cards - don't use them as much as I might! I've taken a couple of SC classes, and my friend Cindy Jacobs just certified in SC! She co-Facilitates my bimonthly virtual creative circles
Cindy's teaching a workshop on vulnerability and authenticity that includes Soul Collage, and still has a few openings!
Cindy and I met through our interest in the weave of intention and creativity for self awareness and Healing.
For me, we live in a creative universe, and spirituality infuses everything. For awhile, the message on our church readerboard encouraged being creative, like Creator! I enjoy both my own creativity, and using hand crafted bowls, baskets, cutting boards, and other daily use items.
💙 💜 ❤️ 🎨 🧡 💛 💚
How do you express your creativity?
I love how you blend creativity, spirituality, and family tradition. Thanks for sharing these inspiring memories!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jazzy - it is all connected for me - and I feel so fortunate to have grown up in my family!
ReplyDeleteyour parents sound wonderful in the way that they fostured your creativity, and I'm sure all your other interests. I like to say I'm not overly creative, but I do enjoy making things.
ReplyDeleteThey really were!
DeleteOf course as a kid I had complaints - but realized how blessed I was later!
We all have different gifts - and there's usually a balance of 'talent' and 'practice' ... enjoying what we do is often reward enough
I have never heard of someone actually suffering from polio. It sounds like your Mom lived very bravely with her limitations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing parts of your family’s history.
Tamara
My dad and I were some of the first to line up for the polio vaccine (in a sugar cube in the 1950s!)
DeleteMany got polio during epidemics in previous decades. The doctor was able to diagnose her from symptoms she and her younger brother and sister (7 and 5) exhibited. They stayed home and healed well -
She was taken by her grandmother to the Shriner's hospital, and in the 20s, they thought operating on her legs (ankles, knees and hips!!) would be helpful! Likely some of their other treatments helped, but following the surgeries, her ankles were set at an angle that required her to wear shoes, and her balance was unstable, requiring crutches!
Others had problems without surgeries - some needed iron lungs to help them breathe. My massage mentor had polo in the late 40s and walked with a limp when tired. She received Sister Kinney's treatments including Epsom salt baths and massage, which led her to study massage later! And i grew up massaging my mother's back and feet.
My mother didn't suffer from post polio (original symptoms recurring years later) but my mentor and others did.
A local veterinarian with symptoms from post-polio played the Scarecrow in our local production of the Wizard of Oz, and said it was an easy role, as he often fell unpredictability anyway!