3 Oct
I watch as multi-colored leaves float away from their trees and towards the ground. Like the bright leaves caught by the warm autumn breeze, thoughts fill my head. Memories of experiences from earlier in the year as well as hopes and dreams for the coming months. Moments both sweet and sorrowful mingling with thoughts of special foods, family, and all the comforts the upcoming season brings. All a soothing moment of tranquility before I hurry once more on my way.
20 Feb
All through the night, icy winds blew. Snow was cast to the ground then whisked back into the air; gales stripped the world of its warmth. Inside the house, lights flickered as forces of nature riotously clashed outside.
Sometime around dawn, the riot stopped. The wind blew itself away, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The morning sun shone brightly on the pebbly ice and snow covered landscape. In the chaos of nature a beautiful scene was created.
20 Dec
Nearly a decade ago a young girl read a book about another young girl who had dreams of becoming a newspaper reporter. In the book, the young girl produced a family newspaper. With her camera she took pictures which she included in her newspaper. This tale inspired the young reader to start her own family newspaper. For about a year the girl made a newspaper for her family every week and even included photos she had taken with the camera she had received from her parents. She brought the camera everywhere she went, including to her family reunion where she photographed her relatives. This was the first time she had been to a reunion in a long time and she knew very few people. Normally timid and quiet, behind the camera she was brave and confident, and she learned that meeting new people was less scary than she had previously thought.
Upon arriving home and reviewing the photos she had taken, she, with the encouragement of her parents, entered some of her photos into a competition at the county fair. Her pictures did exceedingly well and she learned it wasn’t so scary to highlight her abilities in the public.
A few years later, now more fully grown but still in her youth, she received an unexpected phone call. The caller was a board member of a club to which the girl belonged and explained that the club was in desperate need of a replacement newsletter editor for the upcoming year. The girl, knowing she had the skills required because of her experience making a family newspaper, agreed to the request and accepted the position. As the newsletter editor, the girl learned that meeting deadlines and maintaining professionalism was quite satisfying.
Looking back, now as a young woman anticipating college, she realizes the book was a bigger influence than she realized. Reading the book had inspired her to develop skills and confidence. What seemed to be a simple choice of a young girl lead to profound self-discovery.
30 Jul
Tick, Tock,
Now it’s here,
Now it’s not,
Tock, tick,
Spinning, swirling,
Swiftly gliding by,
Tick, Tock,
It will ne’er rest,
It will ne’er stop
12 Jan
I have often noticed that weaving provides an excellent opportunity to think. There is something in the rhythmic movements and actions that brings one closer to their center and clears their mind, enabling them to think more clearly. Whether the thoughts are deep philosophical ponderings, every-day problems, or simply daydreams of one’s own creation, it is easier to go over them while weaving.
There are many other handcrafts that provide this mental solitude for people. I think this might be part of the handcraft ‘revival’ as it is sometimes called. People feel more of a need to connect with a sense of calm, peace, and quiet as their lives become ever busier and more filled with noise.
Handcrafts can also bring people together. We join clubs and guilds in order to learn from others who have more knowledge, to share ideas, tips, and companionship. Sometimes, even while we are still learning, we find ourselves sharing our knowledge with others. We realize we’ve joined a circle of giving and taking, learning and teaching.
Handcrafts can draw us closer to our history and our world, to family and neighbors, to our community and even to people half-way around the world. As we weave, knit, spin, crochet, or quilt, we are also creating a common thread with others who enjoy the craft. If we take a step back and look at it, we realize just how beautiful the whole thing really is.
14 Dec
Sometimes, when it is a sad and cold winter day, it is good to spend time with one’s pets. 
28 Sep
Expectation when going outside in the rain to look for your cats and feed the rabbits: heroically rescuing the three cold, wet, and scared felines and coming back inside dry because, you know, you are the one wearing a rain-proof jacket.
Reality: Come inside looking like a drowned rat you’re so wet, meanwhile the cats, one of whom was out in the middle of a field during the worst of the rain, are perfectly content with life and as dry as if they just hoped out of a dryer.
ayla's allegories 