Marie at 1 Write Way

What Day Is It?

Well, it’s Tuesday here but I had to really think about it this morning. Am I going to yoga today? Or can I linger a while longer in bed?

Yes, I was going to yoga, which I do almost every Tuesday and Thursday morning so, no, I could not linger. I sprung out of bed, a bit surprised at my agility. Not to worry. My arthritis kicked in soon enough. But still, I powered through yoga. Did all the Vinyāsas and the chatarungas. Went to the local co-op and did some shopping. Thought about my mother. A lot.

I’ve been calling her every day. She’s fine for the most part. She has her moments when she doesn’t feel so good, but it seems to pass, and she’s still quick to joke. She has a poem that she recites to me every once in a while.

I’m so tired I could cry.

Let me die.

The first time she recited it to me, she asked me what I thought about it. I said it sounded sad. Well, that’s just the way she feels. Only three months shy of her 100th birthday, I guess she would feel tired. A lot. And after losing two of her daughters, I can understand that she might be ready to leave this world.

And yet, when I called her close to 6 pm one evening, she couldn’t talk long because she wanted to watch her TV programs (the news followed by Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, etc.)

Today she told me that as my brother was leaving, he said to her, “If you need anything, you know where I am.”

Her response: “Well, yeah, of course I do. You’re standing in my doorway.” Ha ha.

One of my cousins was testing my mom’s balance the other day and, while they were standing next to each other, she asked my mom to pick up her right foot. Mom did. Then my cousin asked her to pick up her left foot. Mom: “Well, I can’t pick them both up at the same time.” Chuckle.

My mom’s sense of humor is quite literal. She knows what you mean (like she knew that my cousin expected her to put her right foot down before lifting her left), but she gets a kick out of taking you literally and making you sound silly. Works every time.

I tell myself that I’ll be ready to let her go when she’s ready to go, but I know I won’t be. I enjoy talking to her too much.

In the meantime, I’ve been busy making potholders and “mug rugs.” The blue and yellow ones have found homes, but I’m undecided if I’m willing to give up the other two. And I really need to learn how to take better photos. These look better in person than they do in the photos.

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The ones below are too small for potholders but make nice mug rugs or coasters.

Berry Pie bundle of hand-dyed wool loops from Hillcreek Fiber Studio.
Ocean bundle of hand-dyed wool loops from Hillcreek Fiber Studio.

I joined a very creative group of potholder weavers on Facebook. I don’t think I’ll live long enough to do all that one can do with this simple art. Especially since I bought a rigid heddle loom yesterday. I can see myself on my deathbed now … “But I had one more dish towel to weave!” 

Yes, I do plan to weave dish towels. It’s a thing.

Thank you for reading my strange, somewhat morbid, but hopefully colorful post. Here’s your reward:

Raji looking cute and … plump!

Marie A Bailey

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28 responses to “What Day Is It?”

  1. It was good to see a new post from your Marie! Your mother sounds pretty sharp to me. I can see why you enjoy talking to her. Those woven loop potholders are the absolute best. I’d be reluctant to use yours in the kitchen because they’re so pretty!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Liz! Yeah, my mom is amazing, but, you know, it really takes a village. I have a lot of “orphaned” cousins who dote on her. Thank you for your kind words about my potholders. I do have a couple of cotton potholders that we use in the kitchen, and they are holding up quite nicely. I am reluctant to use the wool ones because they have to be hand-washed if they get dirty. Still, they are more resistant to heat so … maybe someday ;-)

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  2. Tuesday—what was the deal this morning? My husband was convinced it was Wednesday and going nuts because he really needed to get moving since we’d passed his Tuesday deadline. Ha! And I was supposed to do a long run, so I had to get moving quick before I thought of excuses not to. (“Long” these days is just three miles.)

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    • I never thought about making tea towels until I read about it in one of my weaving magazines. And my husband’s been complaining about the sorry shape many of our tea towels are in ;-)

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  4. This is a delightful post, Marie! You mother is on the ball, tell you what! She’s not ready to give it up any time soon, methinks. Your pot holders and cup rugs are adorable. Good for you! (And darn it, you live too far ;-) )
    Looking forward to seeing the tea towels. Of course, it’s a thing!

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  6. Aww…you’re mother sounds like a feisty little thing. I love her response to your brother. I’ve been spending 9 hours a day with my mother every day since I retired. She has her moments like your mother, but most of the time she doesn’t know who I am. Enjoy those conversations, Marie. Your potholders and mug rugs are gorgeous! I love the colors!

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    • Oh, Jill. I can’t imagine how it must feel to not be known by your mother. I have no words. All I can do is send you lots of love and hugs.

      Thank you for your kind words about my potholders and mug rugs. XO

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  8. Your mother sounds just precious. My mother in law is almost 90 and she comes up with some funny things too. The potholders and mug rugs are so cute and I love the colors. My husband bought me a small loom for Christmas a couple of years ago and I have never taken it out of the box. I’m getting it out today!!! Can’t wait to see the tea towels. Happy Wednesday!!!

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    • Thank you, Lisa! Enjoy your loom. It’s good to start small. I had a 4-harness floor loom decades ago but it’s been so long since I’ve done any weaving, I’ve been hesitant to try something that big. Potholders were my way to get back into weaving.

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  9. That’s wonderful that your mom is still so sharp, and yes, I’m sure she must be sometimes be weary and sad. It’s one of the sad things about living to be so old, that you outlive so many–but so much worse when they’re your own children.
    I love your potholders, and you are inspiring me to give it try. And doing yoga regularly . . .

    I kept thinking last Saturday was Sunday.

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  10. I’m glad that you’re having good conversations [most of the time] with your mother. I know that with my elderly relatives talking on the phone could be hit or miss, depending on how they were faring on a particular day. I like your mug rugs, so pretty and practical.

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  11. Raji! Haven’t seen him in like forever! What a great ‘reward’ – thanks!
    I know what you mean about knowing what you’ll miss ‘when the time comes’. My Ma’s laughter and dry sense of humor echo forever in my memory, plus, she always ‘got’ me.
    hugs

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  12. I am kind of excited by your potholders and mug rugs. I didn’t know that you could get patterns or kits for those looms. I bought one some years ago with a big of nostalgia. I made a few, gave them away and was done. It always seemed like they should do more and now I find out that they do!

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