Susie Monday

Artist, maker, teacher, author, head cook and bottlewasher.

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The art I make is the result of a life-long love of pattern, texture and color. How I teach is a skill honed by experience (I started teaching creative arts to younger kids when I was 12). After earning a B.A. in Studio Arts from Trinity University, I helped lead an internationally recognized educational foundation, designed curriculum exhibits for schools and other institutions, wrote and edited for a major daily newspaper, opened the San Antonio Children's Museum and then, a dozen years ago, took the scary but essential (for me) leap to become a fulltime artist and art teacher.

About This Blog

This weblog is about the maker's life. The teacher's path. The stitching and dyeing and printing of the craft of art cloth and art quilt. The stumbling around and the soaring, the way the words and the pictures come together. Poetry on the page and in the piecing of bright scraps together. The inner work and the outer journeys to and from. Practicalities and flights of fancy and fearful grandeur, trivial pursuits and tactile amusements. Expect new postings two or three times a week, unless you hear otherwise. 

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    « StumbleUpon -- Scribble Upon | Main | Sha Sha Higby »
    Monday
    Nov192007

    Preparing for Thanksgiving

     Los%20Madres.jpg

    Detail of Los Madres sculpture in Tucson, AZ, a sculpture project  by Valerie James.
     

    Hopi Elders' Prayer

    Hold on to what is good,
    Even if it is a handful of earth.
    Hold on to what you believe,
    Even if it is a tree that stands by itself.
    Hold on to what you must do,
    Even if it is a long way from here.
    Hold on to my hand,
    Even when I've gone away from you.
    Hold on to what is good.
    Hold on to what is good.
    Hold on to what is good.

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    Reader Comments (6)

    Thank you so much for that prayer.

    Here are lines from Annie Dillard. "Hasidism has a tradition that one of man's purposes is to assist God in the work of redemption by 'hallowing' the things of creation By a tremendous heave of his spirit, the devout man frees the divine sparks trapped in the mute things of time; he uplifts the forms and moments of creation, bearing the aloft into the rare air and hallowing fire in which all clys must shatter and burst." Sounds like the artist's job to me:.
    November 20, 2007 | Unregistered Commenterlinda
    Susie, The prayer is a beautiful reminder in our busy world to remember what is really important. Give thanks in all things. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Linda. Linda Rael
    November 20, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterLinda Rael
    Susie,

    Thank you for posting this beautiful prayer. I have made copies for everyone who will be at our Thanksgiving table this year. It is especially timely for us as someone we love was recently diagnosed with a serious illness and their family will be here, even though he can not. This will bring us all strength, and hope.

    Blessings and gratitude,

    Sheri
    November 20, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterSheri
    Wow. Simple, yet profound. This will be shared and remembered. Thank you Susie, and happy Thanksgiving.
    November 20, 2007 | Unregistered Commenterjocelyn
    Susie --

    Thank you for posting this beautiful prayer -- it's very grounding especially during times when one questions some of the insanity around us and we wonder -- what can I do? This prayer says it all -- I will be sharing it.

    All the best wishes to you and Linda and your families for the Thanksgiving season --

    Diane Sandlin
    November 21, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterDiane Sandlin
    Thanks be to you Susie, for posting this brilliant piece of poetry and also the photo. I'm so moved by this face!
    November 24, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterJulieZS

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