Creating Soft Places In A World of Hard Edges
What I've been reading and listening to, Shout Out for Bloominggrass, One Inch Photos & Community Practice and Question
Lately i’ve been reading a bit too much “news of the world” and as a result I’ve been sensing more poignantly the hard and broken edges out there. I decided to create something that would literally make my life softer. I started knitting stuffed wooly lambs. Really. I knit a lot of practical things (socks, gloves, hats and such) and practical can be awesome. I mean have you ever worn real deal hand knit socks? Considering that you can buy a four pack of socks at a drugstore for five dollars in five minutes, and that hand knit socks can often take over 10 hours, making them a study in what love can make with time and soft wool, - but I digress. Anyway, it has been a sweet practice to take a break from my work, sit on the porch and knit a few rounds. I’m not sure what I will do with them all. Yes, there are little people in my life, but I don’t think they are all for children. Some times we grown ups need poppets too, something dear and not at all practical, soft to the touch and makes one smile inwardly to look at it.
I remember when my daughter was young and I was just starting to tour more nationally. I would make elaborate calendars and maps, to show her my route and where I would be when I phone called her from each evening. That way her mother was never just gone…she was right here and here and here. There was a clear path that would bring me home to her. At one point she made me a little sock bunny stuffed with Kleenex to take on the road with me. We called it Mr. Bun. She didn’t really know how to sew at that point, so she seamed it with long loose stitches and staples. I’m not really sure if she used a clean sock. But that little stuffed rabbit traveled with me for years, in my backpack, on the dashboard of my old Toyota hatchback and a thousand rental cars, on “budget conscious” motel side tables. Mr. Bun traveled with me until he fell apart in my coat pocket. Even then I kept the pieces for a while longer. It was something made of love and softness, something that was loosely sewn but contained a sturdy thread connecting me to home when home was far away. I would never be just out there with nothing that tethered me anywhere.
It is surprising the things we remember, the small gestures we are grateful for every time we think of them. There are kindnesses we treasure, that changed our lives in large and small ways. Oh my friends, think now on all the unexpected, simple, gracious things that have softened your life in the past and continue to do so now.
When the world feels hard edged or broken I remember all the gracious things in my life and in the world, I remember that it is always love that makes broken things whole. And some days, my work for the better kinder world is to knit a soft grey lamb and give it away.
Practice:
Today create something soft for the world. It could be physical item like a poppet or pumpkin bread. But it could also to say “thank you” to the check out person or giving someone your seat on the bus. It could be to sing a lullaby, even if no one hears, because every song shifts something in the air. It could be remembering to compost the vegetable ends or telling your beloved that you love them - still after all these years. Create something soft in the world, do it with love, do it with the tender intention of softening what can feel hard edged in the world.
Question
Tell us what softness did you, or will you, create today? Can you tell us about an experience, some act of softness or kindness extended to you that you are grateful to remember?
Things I’ve reading and listening to lately…
As always i’ve linked to my favorite independent book store, Morgenstern’s Books
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (I listened as an audiobook - great reader).
Book of Delights Two by Ross Gay Lovely, insightful, joyously perceptive and advocating for the better kinder world. I saw Ross read a selection with a band (S. Carey & John Raymond) last evening. It was luminous.
This is How You Lose The Time War Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone A short speculative fiction book, time travel and exploration of the endless harm of war.
Persuasion by Jane Austin (I’ve been continuing to reading classics I missed in high school- I know whaaaat you never read any Jane Austin) - Jane would have been brilliant on social media for astute and brilliant one-liners :-)
Music
Shadowlands by S Carey & John Raymond - A beautiful collaboration from the drummer/vocalist with Bon Iver and innovative trumpeter John Raymond. Lush musical landscapes. I just saw the live show last night and it was transcendent.
Javelin by Sufian Stevens I inhaled his last release, Carrie & Lowell. This is another truly beautiful work from a sensitive, original alt folk writer.
North Country Girl - Humbird (new single from Siri Undlin) Lovely as always.
Everything is Alive - Darlingside Really enjoying Darlingside’s newest release. Some beautiful new songs.
Pink Moon Nick Drake I’ve been revisiting this Nick Drake classic lately. So much of the alt folk movement threads back to this album. Timeless.
NEXT WEEK!
Hi Everyone, I’m so excited that the full album of A Great Wild Mercy will be released NEXT Week on Friday October 13th! Pre-save on Spotify and have it automatically downloaded into your library on release day! Here’s the link to PRE-SAVE.
Shout Out For Bloominggrass Presented by Bloomington Roots
Bloominggrass Festival feat. Väsen & Hawktail (ON SALE NOW)
Friday, October 20, 2023 7:00 PM 11:00 PM
Hey folks. If you are in the Indiana area, the amazing musicians of Hawktail (who collaborated with me on A Great Wild Mercy) will be performing in a fabulous festival with Hawktail, Vasen, The Foreign Landers and Michael Cleveland. I’ll be off the road that weekend and I’ll be there! :-) Thank you Bloomington Roots (a wonderful non-profit bringing great music to our little music community)! Here’s the direct link to the Buskirk Chumley Box office, and here is a link to the Bloomington Roots upcoming show webpage!
A Great Wild Mercy Tour Schedule
For Tickets and Information visit www.carrienewcomer.com/tour
One inch photos
I’m going to take the liberty to tell a story about you, Carrie. Years ago you and I took a sock knitting class from Alison at my yarn shop in Bloomington. You had never knit before. I was amazed at how quickly you learned, how you created your own exquisite patterns, and how prolific you were. Being on the road touring you had countless hours to knit. About 6 months and tens of pairs of socks later, you came into the shop and asked, “How do I cast off?” You had knit your first scarf (which is the project beginners usually start with) and didn’t know that basic knitting technique of how to finish your scarf. I love that you started with socks that don’t require casting off (you could do that hard thing) and yet did not know how to do the most basic technique. It was a funny and sweet moment that revealed more about who you are than you know. ❤️
So great to see your smiling face! Thank you for this.