I took a couple of days break this past week from blogging and making art…though not the computer as I had originally intended. W.J. wrote that she has tried to take computer fasts in the past, though failed. I found it equally difficult to even limit my time online. Oh well, I need to stay connected and I get my news from the internet too. What would I do if I didn’t know what was going on in the world, let alone my neck of the woods?
I was on my way to pick my daughter up from school yesterday when I heard a snippet on the radio that schools were in lockdown. The station broke for commercial and I scanned the other stations for news with no luck. I picked my daughter up as scheduled, but later learned that a high school in Baily, CO just outside of Denver metro area had experienced a terrible hostage crisis. Turns out a deranged 54 year old man went into the school and took 6 girls hostage in a classroom, sexually molested them and then shot one of the 16 year old girls and then took his own life.
Later that evening I hugged my daughter just a little bit tighter. I can’t imagine the terrible agony the slain girl’s parents are experiencing right now. Why can’t our schools be safe havens for children??? I just don’t understand.
On another note, I have a number of designs sketched out for new work. This is the first of my new mini quilts. Although, after this post, it hardly seems appropriate to show you my new work. Life goes on though.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:24 am
Hi Cyn, I read that terrible news here in HK as well. It’s scary indeed.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:54 am
It’s a sad thing, Cynthia, but the world is just not a safe place — for any of us. Those kids have been scarred for life and the victim’s family will never recover from her loss. They’ll just have to learn to live with it; which is, in a way, what we all will have to do.
There was a time, in the not-so-distant past, when I couldn’t imagine such a thing happening, especially in a school. Now, it seems shocking and so, so sad, but not surprising at all. I hate that . . .
In brighter news, today’s finger & bird mini is my favorite so far! I love everything about it!
September 29th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
I know we can’t protect our kids from everything, but it seems like there should be certain places (including schools) that are sacro-sanct when it comes to children’s well beings. You’re right, it’s not surprising anymore that this kind of activity is happening now a days.
I think that this one may be one of my faves too.
Thanks Fennymun and WJ!
September 29th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
This one is very simple, yet beautiful. Is there a meaning to the hand pointing with the bird on the finger? Just curious.
I also heard about the shooting in Colorado. So very sad and disturbing. With a husband who teaches in a high school and two sons in middle school and high school, this hits very close to home for me. I’m afraid everyday that one of my family members won’t come home. I try not to think about it too much.
Living here in Albuquerque, it’s a regular thing to have one of my kid’s/husband’s schools on lock down. It is usually because of something happening on the outside that they need to keep the kids safe from (bank robbery or some such thing), but it still scares the hell out of me whenever I hear something. So, I usually try not to watch the news or listen to radio during the day. I guess it’s just another part of our modern life that we have to deal with.
I agree with you Cynthia, school should be a place where everyone is safe, but that just isn’t the case anymore! Even with Police officers on every campus!
September 29th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
A Piece worthy of Gee’s Bend.
September 30th, 2006 at 1:58 am
This is a good one for the illustration portfolio — ie “tells a story”.
September 30th, 2006 at 3:20 am
Very nice one, Cynthia and so is the butterfly. You title for that one is something I always say to myself.
September 30th, 2006 at 5:37 am
Cyn this one is another beauty! I love the way you do the stitches in there and the borders. About the school shooting, it’s just so darn sad that our kids can’t even be safe at school! Is the world going crazy?
September 30th, 2006 at 11:54 am
I heard about the news yesterday morning and as soon as I heard where it occurred, I immediately thought of you and your family. It is terrible when something like this happens. I just don’t understand how some people can get so utterly desperate to hurt so many others. So sad…
But on another note, beautiful work as always! These look like so much fun to make.
September 30th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Your work is lovely - this image is very peaceful.
Such said news about the school incident!
September 30th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
SAD!
September 30th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
I Love your mini quilts.
October 1st, 2006 at 12:32 am
Thank you Paula, witsie, Janet, Lyn, blurr, miladysa and deb! I’m popping over to look at your blogs now…