Life changes and decisions

Oh, my goodness, where to begin?  As a friend of mine used to say, I'm whirling... meaning that my thoughts are churning and I am getting caught up in them as they hurdle past me, one after another, many of them conflicting.  Not just thoughts, but hopes and dreams, too.   In many ways, I find that I am returning to my core passions, my core values.  It's almost as if my life has come full circle.

So, what are these core passions?  Textiles, traditions (hence the blog name) and traditional ways, nature, food and nutrition, health, and history.  It hasn't been easy to nail this down.  The real challenge:  figure out how to incorporate all of these into my life in meaningful ways.  'Textiles and traditions' I already incorporate into my life in many ways:  I collect antique linens, I knit and weave gifts for friends and family, I knit and weave things for home and personal use, and I have made it a point to learn as much as I can about historic methods of textile production and use (at least some) of these techniques when I am making things, which also touches on 'history' in regards to textiles.   My other connection to 'history' in regards to textiles is a research project I have been working on for several years now documenting clothing worn in the backcountry of the Carolinas in the Revolutionary War era (yes, really).  I hope to get this completed and published in the next year or two.  'Nature' has been neglected for a long while now, but I am starting to get back to that.  Just being out in nature helps and having moved to a more rural area makes it easier.  Planning the garden for next year is another connection to nature along with returning to, and making plans to realize, a life-long dream:  organic farming.  Seriously.  I'm thinking veggies and maybe some chickens come first - after that, well... we'll see.

'Food, nutrition, and health', well, that's another story.  I am a great believer in "food as medicine" and am truly passionate about how important good nutrition is for good health.  I am currently working towards becoming a PA (Physician's Assistant) because I want to be able to help people.  I also hope to promote health and wellness through education about food and nutrition.  That is a serious dream, and it ties in to the above mentioned (equally serious) dream of an organic farm.   Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could someday help to teach patients (and anyone else who is interested) about food and nutrition by bringing them to the farm and teaching them right there, where the food is growing?  Sharing easy recipes for fresh food that will improve their health?  Time will tell if this will happen, but it sounds great on paper...

All of this comes under the heading of 'one step at a time', much like making and growing things does.  You can't knit unless you first acquire or make the tools and the yarn, same with weaving.  You can't eat unless you first acquire or grow the food.  And, you can't be a PA unless you first complete the pre-requisite courses for the program and then complete the program.  That's where I'm at now - just a couple more classes to go. 

You also can't give Christmas gifts unless you make them if you, like me, make all your gifts.  My list this year is slightly shorter than last, but still long enough.  :)  This year it includes: 3 scarves, 4 hats, and 7 pair of socks.  There may be more, but I think that's most of it.  Two of the hats are already done, 3 pair of the socks are half finished, and one of the scarves is started.  I think I can do it.  As far as the rest of life goes... well, I think I can do that, too.  I'll just keep plugging away at it, one thing at a time.  Thanks again for joining me on the journey...

Until later, God bless....