Folds

I am joining a blog-along today with the topic "Folds". The other bloggers who are participating are visual artists, but my dear friend Carole lets me play through photography, words, and knitting.

As soon as I heard the topic I thought of my mother. Whenever we needed a note for school - to explain why we had been absent, or to be excused early - she would write on a small piece of paper and then fold the note in an asymmetrical way.

As a child I though this was her secret code to the teacher so I better not try to forge her signature on a note, because I would never get the fold right.



Today I tried to fold a note ala my Mum, but none of them look right. It is like my memory has a snapshot of what it is, but I can't quite reproduce it. I will know it when I see it. Memories are funny that way.

The second thing I thought of was folding when you are making a souffle. The delicate way you have to fold the beaten eggs into the mixture (not like I ever make souffles, but I did once, and I loved the meditation of folding).

Then there is origami, which I have always marveled at, but due to my whole left/right confusion could never follow the instructions. I can only learn it if someone sits beside me, not across from me, and patiently goes step by step.

And lastly there is folding laundry. I love folding laundry - especially folding blankets or sheets with someone else.

I think it is in the same category as doing dishes by hand. It connects me to generations of women. I love the feel and smell of freshly dried clothes, especially if they have been dried outside. I love folding them so all the edges line up, and then when I put them down, running my hand across the top.

Here is my sock yarn blanket - about one third of the way done - showing its folds.



Folding: paper, batter, blankets - it is a transformation of one thing to another. It is a memory. It is a connection. One simple word evoking all of that.

Thanks Carole.

And now I am off to read the other entries. You can too on Carole's blog.