fieldwork :: Christmas

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fieldworkfall 2009

Fall has come and almost gone here

in these parts. Nearly all of the

trees have lost their leaves. Now

it’s the rare tree full of color

and motion that catches the eye.

But just as the leaves have

finished, garlands and wreaths have

appeared, and lights are being

strung. Christmas is coming at

just the right time!

Rahima Baldwin says that our

holidays and traditions hold our

children. It’s in the familiar

turn of the year, time’s own strong

rhythm, that our

children can rest

secure. And it seems

that what she’s talking

about is the exact

thing we all strive so

hard after, just that

feeling of comfort, of

joy. The end of all

our celebrations is a

desire to simply feel

like we belong.

It seems that the tide

of popular culture isturning toward

simplicity (or maybe that’s just

where my eye is drawn!). There is

no end to the books and articles

written to help guide us through

these next few weeks. They

festively line every aisle at the

grocery! They all promise to keep

us sane till the new year dawns, to

help us celebrate without too much

stress. These articles were not

written for a mama with two small

children. No matter how organized

I am, nothing we do is simple.

Just getting out the door is a

major mission; there are too many

coats and socks and shoes to keep

track of, too many mouths to feed.

But it’s not just streamlining our

gift giving or party hosting. It’s

not even about doing less. While I

am drawn to the promise of

simplicity, even being organized

and avoiding spending

too much doesn’t create

that feeling of beingheld, of being

sustained, of being at

home.

As we approach our

lists —including the

almanac on the next

page —let’s focus on

simple, enduring ways

to celebrate these dark

days before the sun

finally tilts us againtoward the light.

Let’s treasure in our hearts the

image of being held. Let’s

introduce our children to

traditions that let them know who

they are, that give them security,

that bring peace to each of us.



fieldwork

Good Books for Long Nights

These cold, clear nights are perfect for staying home, tending the fire, and

taking up handwork. Here are three books to get your hands moving!

Kids’ Embroidery: Projects for Kids of All Ages by Kristin Nicholas

.I

first saw and learned embroider in the jungle of Suriname. Imagine taking a

yard of cloth, hemming one long side, and adding decorative stitches along

the two short sides. Magically, you have a new skirt. Now think about your

wardrobe. What could your hands make new? Collars, hemlines, cuffs.

Embroidery can add bright (or subtle!) embellishment easily. This book has

clear instructions and plenty of templates to get you started. And the

lovely photographs of children working on their projects compliment the

finely drawn illustrations.

Kids’ Crochet by Kelli Ronci. All of the same goodness found in the

embroidery book is now focused on the twist of yarn into cloth. Last winter

I made the poncho from this book for a friend to celebrate the first year ofher daughter’s life. Beware: the assembly instructions are wrong. Just lay

it out on the floor with a spatially-minded friend, and you’ll see how the

two rectangles can become a poncho.

Ed Emberly’s Drawing Book: Make a World . What an ambitious book title!

It’s like Borges’ labyrinth —an entire world folded into the pages of a book.

Ed offers simple line drawings to stand in for boats and buildings and people

and animals. And this book is not like those drawing books that seem to have

a few steps missing. They have you drawing cones and triangles, and then

somehow it becomes a horse! These drawings are simple enough that the

straightforward process could be grasped by even the youngest artist. Though

there’s something to be said for drawing from life, drawingthis

particularbird, there are also times when it’s nice to have just the suggestion of a

bird near to hand and flowing out of your pen.

The Mind Map Book by Tony Buzan and Mapping Inner Space by Nancy

Margulies. One time to have that bird in hand is when

creating mind maps. True, this is not handwork exactly,

but it is good work to put your hand to. I had heard of

brainstorming —a way to create and organize ideas with an

idea in the center with related ideas organically flowing

out. But what about making a map of what you already know

before you start a new learning endeavor? The map creates

a framework to hang your new knowledge on. And what aboutmaking a map with a partner, letting what each one knows

influence and expand what we know together. The Buzan book

offers the basic technique and its rationale. The Margulies

book expands the mind map to include illustrated journals

and other delights.



An Almanac

::December 2:: Full Cold Moon

yes, this day is already past. But the light of this moon was just too

bright and lovely to leave it out. Watching the moon cross the sky is one of

the blessings of having children who are wakeful in the night.

::December 6:: Saint Nicolas Day

This is one of the sweetest days of the year. And now we have a little

Nicolas to help us celebrate. Remember this saint by doing something good in

secret for someone in your household or at work. The mystery will only add

to the goodness!

::December 13:: Saint Lucy Day

Celebrate this day by making breakfast in bed for your loved ones.

Just a little something sweet to start the day, maybe a candle lit with love,

and a pot of hot coffee to commemorate this faithful girl.

::December 21:: Solstice

Winter’s first day…the days are getting longer. Drink deep!

::December 24:: Christmas Eve

Arise! Shine for thy light hath come. Can you stay up till midnight to

welcome this bright day?

::December 28:: 10 Years

On a cold and clear and windy night, in the light of 900 tiny candles,

with a bouquet of paperwhites, in a room full of friends, Andy and I promised

to love each other. Our ten years together feel substantial and solid. And

like we’re just beginning.

::December 31:: Full Blue Moon

A blue moon! And just in time. How will you mark this day? What

happens once in a blue moon at your house?

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