Chicken noodle. French onion. Potato leek. Beet Cabbage Borscht. A bowl of warm soup hits the spot and offers comforting nourishment. And nourishment is so much more than food. I decided an alphabet would be a fun way to explore and deepen my understanding of this word. I offer it to you in case you […]
Listening below the noise
I watched the woman take a couple steps away from my booth, pause, and return. She stood quietly for a few moments, touching the gray napkins we’d talked about, then walked away again, only to return once more. I like to be left alone when […]
First steps and adventures: Exploring sustainably-grown cotton
It started with an opportune question. Do you use organic cotton? a well-dressed man asked one Saturday earlier this year at the Northampton Winter Farmers’ Market. The short answer is no. And there’s a longer answer because I’ve thought about this question off and on over the years. I know there are environmental concerns about […]
Surprised by orange
One Sunday after church, when I was a child, my family was invited to dinner at Rokeby, a guesthouse run by Methodist missionaries near my school in India. They served a trifle for dessert. When I curled up my nose, another guest urged me to try it. It might become your favorite dessert, he said. […]
The uncommon magic of a handwoven kitchen towel: What I long to tell you
I was at a craft fair recently and over the course of three days, I heard several women comment, I’d wear that as a scarf, as they fingered a kitchen towel. I’ve heard this and similar comments frequently over the years. Even after all this time, I struggle to respond, feeling like it’s not okay […]
