More treasures of autumn
When walking off the roast dinner on Sunday we stumbled upon a crab apple tree in the woods, I immediately began to fill my pockets with these waxy jewels. It was unexpected, we were looking for conkers, and in today's grey light these little bursts of colour give me huge pleasure.
Their simmering scent filled the kitchen while I made myself comfortable at the kitchen table yesterday morning and welcomed Jane into my kitchen (by way of radio). It was wonderful to listen to Jane talk about and defend her book on Woman's Hour, it felt as though she was defending me and my own life views and choices. I sat at the table and enjoyed the thought that other women like me were sitting in kitchens around the country (actually, the world I guess, given Jane's wide audience), perhaps drinking tea, perhaps some knitting or sewing to hand, and listening. All of us united for a moment. I often have to defend my decisions, my lifestyle, so listening to Jane yesterday and thinking about who else might be listening was a wonderful, comforting thought.
When walking off the roast dinner on Sunday we stumbled upon a crab apple tree in the woods, I immediately began to fill my pockets with these waxy jewels. It was unexpected, we were looking for conkers, and in today's grey light these little bursts of colour give me huge pleasure.
Their simmering scent filled the kitchen while I made myself comfortable at the kitchen table yesterday morning and welcomed Jane into my kitchen (by way of radio). It was wonderful to listen to Jane talk about and defend her book on Woman's Hour, it felt as though she was defending me and my own life views and choices. I sat at the table and enjoyed the thought that other women like me were sitting in kitchens around the country (actually, the world I guess, given Jane's wide audience), perhaps drinking tea, perhaps some knitting or sewing to hand, and listening. All of us united for a moment. I often have to defend my decisions, my lifestyle, so listening to Jane yesterday and thinking about who else might be listening was a wonderful, comforting thought.
Comments
all the best - anne
I'm not familiar with Jane's work, but you can be sure I'll be taking a peek at her site now too. Thanks!
I'll follow your link. I'm tired of defending anything in my life, and simply refuse to admit critics into my mental space anymore. I trust the balance that my life finds -- enough cleaning to feel comfortable in my space, but less than others do for sure (okay, way less), crafting, mothering, writing my dissertation, lazing about. I trust myself to find my own balance and just refuse to listen to "oughts" and "shoulds" from anyone. What a good life is or the meaning we should find in it is highly contested, we all live in our own "worlds" and should offer each other only compassion.
I'm hope you're all feeling better by now. I'm on the mend. Echinacea is my friend.
I'm not sure the debate is wholly about stay-at-home women making things versus the wage-earners who are assumed to do nothing more than light microwaving. Those of us who do have a paid job still get criticised for what we choose to spend our free time on. If knitting really were threatening to subjugate women again I'd be the first to burn my needles, but as it blatantly isn't, why can't the critics learn to value activities even if they have traditionally been associated with women!
And thank you so much for your wonderful comments on my mile upon mile of ribbing--someday, I'll have something finished and pretty to show you. :)
I have yet to listen to Jane via the interwebnet, but I am glad she has the strength of character to ride the storm that is this strange offshoot of true feminism, which attempts to deride those of us who choose to work hard at home.
I bet if it was a domesticated house husband being interviewed there would be interest and wonder at his choice but not the same implied criticism.
I work in an all female team but am the only who works part-time - as only one other member of the team even has children and hers are adults.I frequently feel there is an undercurrent of criticism that I am somehow less committed than they. And frankly, yes I am :0) I am committed to my children and family - my work, I do well and don't let the team down but it's most certainly not my life ! Some women are so hard on other women.
Heather x
I want to see what became of the crab apples! I could stare at them forever in the bowl. So gorgeous.
just loved how jane sounded....and i wanted to just shout at that woman and defend jane (and myself)! :)
What did you make with your crabapples?