St. Distaff’s Day

Dear Reader,

Right around Epiphany—the day that Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi—some folks celebrate St. Distaff’s Day. Apparently, in the olden days, this was the time to honor the patron saint of spinners (maybe also weavers.) But instead of spinning yarn, which was an ongoing and necessary task, spinners took a break. They may have even been prohibited from spinning.

These days, some of us who like to spin yarn, celebrate with our fellow spinners, by gathering together and spending some time spinning and visiting. So, that’s what I did on Saturday (a few days early.)

I thought about staying home and attending to some of the many things on my shoulda/woulda/coulda list. But, really, it was more important to spend time with friends. So, I found my favorite handspindle, brought along some snacks to share, and spent a few hours with some of my favorite people. Doing one of my favorite things.

I was making yarn. I have an idea about what I could do with that yarn—one of these days, when I’ve spun enough to make something. But the main thing was just the satisfaction of spinning the spindle, watching the fiber transform into yarn—literally under my own two hands.

And talking with friends, old and new. In real life. In the same room.

We need that y’all. We need to do stuff with our hands, and we need to spend time with real people in real life. These things are part of being human. When we share that time together, it doesn’t matter what our differences are. We’re people, in the same room, doing something we’re interested in, sharing stories, sharing food, breathing the same air.

And we can leave the room, breathing a little better, maybe even smiling a little wider. And perhaps we’re even a little closer to having enough of that handspun yarn to make something with it.

I rarely make New Year’s resolutions, but I can feel myself leaning towards spending more time with fellow humans—friends old and new—in real life. And maybe making more stuff.

What are you leaning toward this year?

Whatever that might be, don’t forget to breathe, and have all the fun you can.

Our weekly online Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement isn’t in person, but it does bring a sense of doing something worthwhile, in the company of other humans. And, usually improves our breathing. And, it’s Free/Pay as You Wish.

For an in-person experience, I’m offering Lift Your Heart: A Feldenkrais Mini-Retreat on Saturday afternoon, February 28, at the Jung Center of Houston.

If you’d like to work with me privately, in person or online—Feldenkrais, coaching or felt-making—you can Book an Appointment or reply to this email and let me know what you’re interested in.