Saturday, November 15, 2014

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.

25 comments:

  1. such a lovely memory of your mom.
    and this blanket is full of beautiful colors, so wonderful together.....
    folding laundry, i do it, but not with the love you speak of. perhaps i will bring some love into it next time.

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    1. Thank you. The blanket is made up of all the odds and ends I have of sock yarn leftover from sock projects. It is fun to knit, but will take another year to finish I think.

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  2. Oh Mary-Ann I can visualize your mom folding the paper and handing it to you. I always enjoyed hanging around your place as a teen. Thanks for the memories and for the insight into fold. Beautiful knitting friend. xo

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    1. Yes, it is a good memory. And thank you again for the invite - your challenges always stretch me as a writer.

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  3. Folding laundry is my downfall - but I do love the kind of folding you do when cooking. :)

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    1. isn't it great how we are all so individual about liking or not liking things like dishes, or laundr?. It makes the world so much more interesting!

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  4. Gorgeous... I'm in love with the blanket... I reckon if I'd had to do folds it would certainly have been origami... Maybe I'll steal your inspiration and write that one anyway... Thnx

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  5. I love that blanket, so vibrant and colourful. I also love the freshness of washing that has been dried outside, blowing in the breeze, but unlike you, I don't like folding the sheets.You brought back memories of my Mum writing notes for school as well...lovey post.

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    1. Thank you. Did your mom fold the notes funny too?

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    2. No, my mum just folded them in half, She was always fussy about writing them on 'proper writing paper' though!

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  6. lovely folds on that blanket. Nice memory about your mother.
    Right now I'm thinking about origami because I have seen a book of children clothes that incorporated fabric origami and I wonder if it would be possible to incorporate origami on a laceweight shawl.

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    1. I have a pattern for an origami sweater that I am determined to knit one day. The knitting will be easy, the folding? not so much!

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  7. Nice memory of secret adult codes! - eric

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  8. dear Mary-Ann, thanks for all the memories
    that pop up while reading your blogpost
    and your sweet mum ;^)))
    that blanket is a beauty

    thanX!
    Patrice A.

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    1. Thank you for your comment. Lately I have been having more and more good memories of my mum.

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  9. Hi Mary-Ann I like the way you unfold your memories and all thebother ideas which came to your mind about fold.
    And thanks for your nice comment on my blog.
    Barbara bee

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    1. Your welcome. I like the way you put that - unfolding memories - yes that was how this post came to be.

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  10. i think i could read a book of you, the simple gestures you evoke. it doesn't matter you cannot fold the scrap of paper like your mamma did, you describe us the event in these soft, forgiving words. this is a talent, dear -- (i have no idea what your name is). in the about i find you are a.o. a poet. well, there you have it. it is in you. lovely!
    and really nice to meet you, n♥
    ps - i love your blanket. i have to say, i'm a lover of anything patched (i do crochet myself), and this one looks stunning!

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    1. Thank you so much. I hope to write a book one day. My name is Mary-Anne.
      I will post finished pictures of the blanket (in about a year!).

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  11. Hello. Thank you for unfolding your memory. I love folding laundry to but I never saw this as a act connecting to the generations of woman... You made me think deeper and in a new way. Lucia

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    1. Hello! Thank you for your comment. I love how the blogs I read make me think differently about life. It is why a love the blogosphere so much.

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  12. All such great images on folds that are so easily related to in such an immediate way- was a real pleasure reading your post and I LOVE that blanket- it's beautiful! so nice to meet you here- best Kristen :)

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    1. Thank you Kristen. I loved your photographs on Folds. Carole set us a good challenge this month!

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I look forward to reading the comments. It makes me feel like I am not just posting into the void.