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: Thought
Report from Kolkata
I experienced the perfect Kolkata destination wedding site for you- RAAJKUTIR, KOLKATA, run by SeleQtions hotels, is a magical oasis inspired by the traditions of Bengal’s heritage. Never imagining it could be built on an old garbage dump, but it was, we felt the exquisite blend of timeless elegance and luxury transformed into opulence andContinue reading “Report from Kolkata”
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”
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”
Loom
My mother says when she is anxious she finds a seam,finds stitches on her clothes, on furniture she’s near, alwaysa verge has that feel, birch joints, wrinkles. It’s a reliefto think with the hands. Not with what years do,not with rings or someone else’s sadness. With the repairin a sheet her sister tore, breeze-fretted inContinue reading “Loom”
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 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”
August 1, 2023-the 15th of Av, 5783
In the Babylonian Talmud it is written that “when we enter Av, our joy is diminished.” This month is associated with the darkest events in Jewish history, the Nine Days culminating in the fast day of Tisha B’Av, the ninth of Av. However, Tu B’Av, the 15th Day of Av, is a post-biblical day ofContinue reading “August 1, 2023-the 15th of Av, 5783 “
BubbeWisdom 