handwork

I've been thinking a lot lately about passing along the art of handwork for the next generation

sometimes I fear that such things will vanish in the fog of the glowing screen of Kindles and iPads

my own kids see me working with my hands constantly

sewing, knitting, painting, cooking

and I'm always so grateful when they express an interest

but it's a constant battle to get them to turn off the devices and open up a book

or better yet, learn a skill

*

but this was the scene today

we began work on a stitch sampler

and while we worked we talked about how I learned and who I learned it from

and how many generations have gone before us

and perhaps will follow

*

it was a good day to do the slow sew