Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Picnic

We had a big church picnic last week. It was so much fun. Great food, great fellowship, great fun. Everyone gathered around to talk and eat. We had the grills going with lots of meat that people had brought. The adults played some football against the youth, with some of the younger kids playing as well. We even played some games from that show Minute to Win it. That was lots of fun. It is good to just relax and recharge with everyone. I wish that we could do that more than just once a year, maybe every other month or something. Its just nice to do something nowadays that does not involve lots of stress or worry, something simple and basic. I can't wait for the next one.

Summer

Yesterday was the first day of summer. The time has come once again for BBQ's, baseball and outdoor games, and just enjoying the world that God created.

The 4th of July is coming up soon, and I look forward to that part of summer every year. To celebrate our nation's birthday with fireworks, family and friends, and of course food! I remember growing up and still being able to buy and set off your own fireworks. You would see stands set up on just about every corner and selling all kinds of fireworks. I would see all of the different packages you could buy, the various colors things would come in. Then on the night of the 4th, everyone would come out of their house and stand on their sidewalk and light off their fireworks. It was like a big party. You would see your neighbors and they would see you. As a street, you would celebrate together, as participants, not spectators. Now, we all do our own thing. Only coming together to watch a big display, but still on our own.

What happened to those days when people came together for things? When you knew your neighbors. We have become too much involved in our own concerns and desires. We have forgotten some of the tings that made this country great.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Sewing

I went to a ren fair with my wife a couple of months ago, and it got me thinking. Seeing the various demonstrations of crafts and how things were made during that time reminded me that all of this knowledge is quickly disappearing.

Now not everyone can have a section in their home for glass blowing or blacksmithing, although I've always thought glass blowing was interesting, but people could sew.

Seeing the looms at the fair and how things were made back then was interesting, but looms are expensive. Sewing machines can be affordable. But, like other things it is becoming a lost art. What would happen if we couldn't go to the store and buy new clothes, blankets, and other items. If we could sew, it would not be a problem. And we could also make something unique. But, its not just clothes. You could make blankets, curtains, and many other things. Give your home your own personal touch. Make items last longer as well. Have a ripped piece of clothing or something that doesn't fit anymore? If you knew how to sew, you could fix it or turn it into some other useful item. This goes back to recycling and trying to be more responsible with the environment.

I was at a craft fair yesterday with my wife were everything was handmade, and a lot was made from something old. I saw a woman that turned men's dress shirts into purses. That was a clever idea, and nothing went to waste.

Here I am talking about sewing like I know how. Truth is, I can sew a button back on, but not much else. But, my wife is learning and starting to look at using things other than just going to the fabric store to get material.

There was a time that if you wanted new clothes, blankets, or anything else, you would have to pay someone or make it yourself. We, as a society are losing our ability to be craftsmen and artisans. We need to get that back. It will give us the pride of accomplishment in making something, more responsibility towards the environment, and a continuation of our cultural heritage.