Knitting, Singing, the Universe and all....

A provocative video for a few reasons. First off it reminds us that at this time in our collective experience, there is the possibility for a significant shift in our perceptions of community.The big questions have come to the front again: Who "are" we? why are we "here"? And, the biggest of all, "Have I loved and been loved?" I am using the word "love" in a much larger context than individual-intimate relationships, although personal relationships are certainly the pot in which we learn the nuances of Big-Love - love that is beyond the pettiness of daily life, love that carries us into the future and smooths out our past, love that extends to our neighbors, to our fellow country-men-&-women, to our children and the children of our children. Big-Love creates the space for us, as unique individuals, to become so much more than we seem, to reveal who we are at our deepest core. Big-Love allows me to see beyond labels- at first the God-talk in ...

Mostly, I just wanted to show off the beautiful pictures of the incredible fruit market we went to so here goes!! Citrus citrus citrus - golden succulent and abundant at this time of year. Pots of chrysanthemums -giant "marigolds" to us!- for New Year decorating. Burning coal in the wok to roast chestnuts - more street food :) Choosing citrus - New Year's is the peak of the citrus season - we must have seen over 20 varieties of oranges, tangerines, mandarins , pomelos , etc. the air was full of that zesty scent - very invigorating! And they sold lots of citrus covered bushes to take home. They look like coins hanging on the branches :) Special " Gung Hey Fat Choi " (Happy New Year) apples. They place paper stencils on the apples as they ripen to get this effect. Seeds and Nuts for sale Jon's Durien fruit (stinky to say the least.... aka " lulian ") about the size of a football. More varieties of fruits - toward the front is something similar to...

"Scooting" in high heels is quite common! Tall Golden Buddha at monastary where we had vegetarian lunch. Laughing Buddha in the (drained) swimming pool atop the roof of the monastary! View into courtyard At the street market - daily items as well as Red and Gold New Year's decorations!! Chinese New Year is as celebrated as Christmas is here - family get togethers, vacations, gifts, and decorations. Taking home holiday flowers on the scooter! Dried and salted fish, fruit, and candies at the market mmmmm... Lychee!! and Dragon fruit!!! Prize winning Pears (about the size of Pomelos!) be-ribboned with New Year's wishes. Dinner at the Hunan restaurant: Deep fried skewered and peppered shrimp. We each ate about 15-20 :) Xiao Yu & Mango and dinner - plate of red peppers at the left was what was left after we polished off the shrimp! Jon plays hacky-sack with guys on the street :) I love to travel :) An opportunity to learn patience and flexibility :) Below is a list o...

Jon agreed to let me have a China adventure all to myself so..... we went to find the yarn district !!!! Yes, China has sheep and wool, and it turns out, sable, angora, and bamboo and soy yarns! Every other storefront was closed, as it was a Sunday and the week before Chinese New Year so people were beginning to "go home" for the holidays. It seemed a bit deserted and rather forlorn when we arrived. The cab driver didn't really believe us that we meant to go to the address we had requested.(after all, we were two gui lo tourists wandering about an area that might be construed as a bit dangerous!) then, we turned a corner and there they were! women sitting and chatting, winding the swifts full and laughing: Baskets and boxes and bins and more boxes of 100% sheep woolen yarns - all rather fine- from very delicate fingering weights to DK to a light worsted. I don't think "chunky" has entered their knitting vocabulary just yet :) I ended up purchasing 7 boxes of...

Well, since our travel plans changed and we experienced a "lay-over" in Tokyo,we are still in Hong Kong,and about to go to Guang Zhou later this afternoon. I wish that after all this, I had had time to go to the Stitch-n-Bitch Friday afternoons in Central Hong Kong. I was invited (thanks to "travellersyarn", a Ravelry friend who lives in HK) but originally declined because we were already going to be in Guang Zhou as of yesterday! As we were driving about HK accomplishing all our errands,looking at the Chinese New Year's decorations everywhere, I was overcome with a sense of how we are all so similar - all part of this great breathing being "Earth". First photo: Our friends, Edgar and Priscilla of New Bright Factory met us for lunch (at Jon's favorite Dim Sum restaurant) Last night, we had a little gathering of our Apollo factory friends with a New Year's toast and a small gift exchange. Jon happily handed out "Red Pockets" - envelope...