Alters & shrines adorned with flowers, incense, and other offerings are everywhere. It’s like the impromptu memorials we create along the roadside for loved ones, but much more elaborate, permanent, and in this case, dedicated to deities. This one in our hotel, honors Krishna, the embodiment of divine love & joy, destroyer of all painContinue reading “G@ds & Holy Cows in India”
Tag Archives: Memories
In My Own Words
For many years I have been documenting my life, first with journals, then with the text, The Quilting Path, with self-published books from The Quilting Path to The Container Blog and finally (for now) A Patchwork Life. Here is the list and links to see them: The Container Blog was a project I did withContinue reading “In My Own Words”
THE BLESSING CORD
To celebrate the UNMAKING of THE WITNESS QUILT, as part of Louise Silk: A Patchwork Life, I offer the ritual of the RED STRING. The Red String offers protection. Red attracts and impedes negative forces, converting the darkness of judgement into the mercy of light. This creates a forcefield that diverts the evil eye. InContinue reading “THE BLESSING CORD”
UnMaking The Witness Quilt
Witness עֵד2023-24. 1200+ individual detachable patches.Overall:178”W X 101”L. Panels: Right_Front7/Back_Left1 19”WX71”L; Right_Front6/Back_Left2 22”WX78”L; Right_Front5/Back_Left3 22”WX 87”L; Middle_Front4a&b and Back4 52”X 101”L; Left_Front3/Back_Right5 22”WX87”L; Left_Front2/Back_Right6 22”W X78”L ; Left_Front1/Back_Right7 19”WX71”L. Under Layer: Materials: Crème colored linens, clothing, embroidery floss, yarn, old quilts. Technique: individually hand embroidered BubbeWisdoms or phrases ofa contemporary version of Viddui prayer finishedContinue reading “UnMaking The Witness Quilt”
Yichus-Part IV
My cousin Gerrie Shapiro was recently featured on page 42 of Whirl Magazine. You may know her as a dog trainer and/or as an artist; for me, she is the keeper of our heritage. She had in her possession my great-grandfather’s wallet; now housed in the Jewish Archives Shapiro Brother Papers. Found in the wallet,Continue reading “Yichus-Part IV”
Fast of Gedaliah: Day of Divine Goodwill
Today, along with the first anniversary of October 7th, we observe The Fast of Gedaliah. This year, both occur during the Ten Days of Teshuvah between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I used the occasion of this fast day, some twenty-four years ago to enact: Moving Through Loss: A Wise Woman Ritual. This day advocates The ThirteenContinue reading “Fast of Gedaliah: Day of Divine Goodwill”
Yickus Part III:
The Matriarchs Met The Patriarchs My dad used to say it was plain luck. The analogy he repeatedly quoted was that of a dart board- maybe there is a little skill in there, being able to locate the dart and the place to throw it , but after that, fortune rules. My mom came fromContinue reading “Yickus Part III:”
Yichus-Part II
National Record Mart was part of my legacy. My grandfather was Hymen Shapiro, the very selfless spirit who brought all of his siblings and then his parents from Russian to Pittsburgh for a better life. Watching the video makes me feel a sense of pride being part of a family business that means so muchContinue reading “Yichus-Part II”
Yichus Part I
Searching for wisdom, I have spent considerable effort exploring each of my relatives. There is a beautiful video put together by the JCBA Pittsburgh that shows my family’s cemetery, among many others, maintained by JCBA. The cemetery is one way to sit with the souls of the Shapiro family in the quiet of their gravesites,Continue reading “Yichus Part I”
Snug Sturdy Wise
I had the pleasure of working with these poets yesterday. We talked about all of the ways text is used in art expression. I told them about some of the classics like Harriet Powers and the AIDS Quilt and some of the well-know contemporary artists like Barbara Kruger and Pope.L. Preparing to meet with them madeContinue reading “Snug Sturdy Wise”
BubbeWisdom 