Coming To The Table Gathering Richmond Hill, Virginia

In March I had the opportunity to join a group of descendants of slaves, slave owners and slave traders at The Coming to the Table (www.comingtothetable.org) conference. Coming to the Table (CTTT) is an organization that "provides leadership, resources and a supportive environment for all who wish to acknowledge and heal wounds from racism that is rooted in the United States’ history of slavery." The weekend was filled with tears, stories, connections, awareness and friendship (newly formed and reconnections).

Cupola 

The conference was held in the sacred space of Richmond Hill Virginia. Richmond Hill (RH) is "an ecumenical retreat center based on prayer, healing, hospitality and reconciliation."  The retreat center is distinctively Christian, but welcomes people of other faiths who chose to worship there. Richmond Hill houses a full-time residential community that supports the operation of the retreat center. One special feature I enjoyed was the rhythm of prayer at RH - prayer or silence is expected 3 times a day for 15 minutes (7am, 12 noon and 6 pm). I welcomed the ringing of the bells as an opportunity in reflect and spiral inwards towards prayer and contemplation.

The Labyrinth

Of course, I was thrilled to find out they have a beautiful labyrinth. I walked the path several times during the weekend including early morning as the sun was rising and late at night with the City of Richmond lights illuminating the path.

Basketball Anyone?

And remember...it's not all work/prayer and no play! I loved the basketball hoop especially since Play and Leisure have been my field of study!

Cupola and view of Richmond

The Cupola sits alone on top of the retreat center and overlooks the City of Richmond. With windows on all 4 sides, a table to hold my morning coffee and cushioned chairs to support me, the cupola offered a special space to sit, meditate and write. I wrote the following poetry sketch in the comfort of the cupola.

Growing Into Oneself

Growing up

Growing older

Growing into oneself

How does one grow into oneself?

Why is it so painful?

Is the pain caused by the expansion of oneself?

Does this leave room for more?

More understanding...

More love...

More pain...

More compassion...

Arm's open

Christ on the cross

Acceptance and love

Speak less - listen and love more.

fuzzy photo from the garden!

Stay tuned for more on this amazing journey with CTTT...and think about joining me in Richmond Hill in August for an overnight retreat!

Rock Yarn Bomb in Wilmington, DE

(corner of Green Hill & Pennsylvania Ave)

finished rock!

There once was a displaced rock that waited to be reconnected with her wall....

Spring had sprung and the flowers were blooming...

felted flowers with button centers

Then one day someone came to visit the rock and wrapped it with warm felted wool (it does get chilly in the evenings during springtime), embellished with a crocheted vines and flowers and returned it to its home on the wall...

Now the rock is warm and safe and hopefully is bringing a smile to weary commuters faces as they travel to and from work and school in downtown Wilmington!

view from across the 4 lanes of Pennsylvania Ave.

If you happen to drive by....stop to visit the gardens at Gibraltar and the gardens at University of Delaware, Wilmington campus (both are located at this corner of Pennsylvania Ave & Green Hill Road). 

Yarn bombing a cup of coffee...

Have I lost my mind?

Actually, my dear friend Robyn (www.rainbowweaves.blogspot.com) was offering up a "Queen of Hearts" challenge and I wondered how I could incorporate yarn and a Valentine's gift. This is what I came up with...

A coffee cozy with LOMA Cafe coffee!

I decided to create a coffee cozy by knitting a rectangle, sewing a crocheted chain into the shape of a heart and then whip stitching it into a tube shape.

before I sewed up the cozy!

Then I added a cup of delicious LOMA Cafe coffee and gave it away to a man on the street as I wished him a Happy Valentine's Day. It is sometimes nice to give your heart away!

Wishing everyone a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

A Desire For Spring...

This weekends beautiful dusting of snow has melted and left behind freezing temperatures and blustery winds. So this week I decided to add a little color and thoughts of spring in my 'yarn bomb' by adding flowers.

Yarn bomb in Wilmington, DE

I knitted a band to wrap around a tree just off the parking lot of WYRA (Wilmington Youth Rowing Association) where my daughter, Kelly, rows crew.

Christina River

The boat house host the WYRA crew teams (novice & varsity), University of Delaware Crew and St. Marks crew team....needless to say, it is a busy place!

Boat house parking lot

A parting shot of the empty dock...too cold to go out on the river but spring season is a few weeks away!

View of the floating dock...waiting for warmer weather!

Yarn-bombing Meters On Market Street!

Yarn-bombing!!!

Today I had the opportunity to 'yarn-bomb' for the first time. I spent time last week knitting the 'bomb' and I decided to attach it today (I figured everyone would be getting ready for the Super Bowl and the meters are free on Sun.)...with my 14 year old daughter, Kelly, as look-out.

Finished pieces before installation.

I yarn-bombed 2 parking meters in Wilmington. There has been a recent brouhaha concerning parking in the City of Wilmington (see www.wilmingtonparking.blogspot.com) and I have had several 'run in's' with the meter men. In one situation the man was downright rude – but I would hate his job so I decided to try to brighten their day instead.

First Meter Completed!

So tomorrow morning, if you are on Market St (in front of Film Bros. & Bloomsbury Flowers – 205 & 207 N. Market) stop by, see if they are still there, get a cup of coffee at LOMA and see if the meter men & women are smiling!!

Second Meter

Hummmm....what should I Yarn-bomb next?

Caught in the act!!!

postcard project....going strong!

The postcard project is going strong and I am still having fun deciding which postcard best fits which friend! Although I have strayed from mailing just the 'book covers' and I have created a few cards and look forward to altering some postcards as well.

Here are a few I recently sent...

Sent to my dear friend Robyn Joseph's in Asheville, NC!

Sent to Barbara Seymour...gardener/landscape architect extraordinaire! 

Send to Chris DeGrado...a VERY intelligent woman indeed!

Sent to Amy Isaacs - SoulCollage facilitator and her office is on Circle Ave in Salisbury, MD!

Have you sent any postcards recently? Share the details!

Postcards continue to be written...

Although I have not written about the postcard project the past few days that doesn't mean I have not sent any!  I have sent the following postcards to the following fabulous people...

September 16, 2011. My brother Ed Rollins and I share a love for the Tour de France. A local company, Lead Graffiti, created a poster a day during the 'tour' (23 posters in 23 days) and I purchased several postcards created from a makeready sheet. For more information on Lead Graffiti visit www.leadgraffiti.com. My big brother has always been there for me and continues to amaze me as he travels in his own 'tour de executor' of my parents estate. Definitely not a fun job but he has been rolling along despite a few crashes on the hairpin turns. He is my "King of the Mountain"!!

Tour de France card for my brother Ed

September 17, 2011. Joanne Reinbold is a friend, labyrinth inspired artist and brilliant writer. My life has been blessed by her presence. Together we dreamed of 'a room of our own' to create and share. But Joanne did more than dream....she manifested it at her church. Now we are creating finger labyrinths, collage cards, talisman pendants, books and friends. Thank you Joanne...

Joanne Reinbold & I dream of having a room/studio of our own!

September 18, 2011. I consider Diane Terry-Kehner my labyrinth sister. Kindness, friendship and love flow from her like the fountain of youth! Her postcard is also a "Tour de France" card because she is not only fluent in french (and a french teacher) but a trip to Chartres opened her heart even wider. Although Diane lives less than an hour away we only see each other at TLS (The Labyrinth Society) board meeting. I think that needs to change...and I will change it. Watch out Diane...I'm heading to New Jersey!

Diane Terry-Kehner - the energy of the labyrinth!

September 19, 2011. "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances..." This quote from William Shakespeare captures part of Janice Toomey gifts. As a teacher at NCCL (Newark Center for Creative Learning), she was able to instill a love of theatre especially Shakespeare and Gilbert & Sullivan. Janice is a role model as she always goes above and beyond, teaching team work, cooperation, understanding and dedication through her actions...I am blessed to have her in my circle of friends.

"All The World's A Stage" and Janice Toomey is a star!