My spring semester from A to Z

Call me an Abecadarian, Because I'm Carryin' you up to these Dog Days, like we in Elementary school

Me among the azalea bushes at Winterthur Garden, May.

Acres of Azaleas 
once bright, have finished flowering,
Ready to be pruned, I too
Recall my spring of watering.

British Design filled my mind
with sights for presentations.
Once unaware, I now can compare 
Windsor chairs in two nations.

Ceramics block equipped me well
From plate sherds to discern
red clay, stoneware, or porcelain,
if press-moulded or lathe-turned.

Disney World made disappear
my troubles for a weekend
Epcot, the zoo, and princess rides
in the fast lane was a godsend.

I presented on an characteristic English-made windsor chair --note the wheel back splat, warped bottom, and splaye back legs-- from sometime in the 1800s; A tray of "sherds" or ceramic pieces at Hobcaw Barony, South Carolina. Bottom: Carolyn and I rode the new Tiana ride at Disney. There were floral displays everywhere, including ones I forgot were Disney-related, like Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog.

Embroidered antiques inspire me
to work my own example
of cross-stitched picture or verse
that in girls's schools were so ample

Furniture block dizzied me
with cabinet-making terms,
so blind dovetails and walnut grain
I'll need to reaffirm.

Garden walks with second grade
though exhausting, proved a blessing.
Hikes through woods enchanted
made my outlook less depressing.

Historic Preservation 
I studied at Delaware ,
though "National Register" 
can't ensure a site gets care.

Imagination's required 
at a decorative arts museum:
you conjure up how people lived
-- just like a mausoleum. 

Left: Bible verse sampler from a girl from the Cherokee Nation from the early 1800s, showing how the tribe integrated some Anglo traditions while retaining their sovereignty. Courtesy of Museum of Southern Decorative Arts. Right: Somebody really loved their dog in 1806 and had a red-earthenware plate slip-decorated in their honor. Rest easy, Old Rover. Courtesy of Winterthur Museum.

Jazz origins I'm tracing through
Black tent shows in the South 
carrying ragtime, blues and 
dance by sight and word of mouth

Kitchens are for hosting
but mine's been unoccupied 
save for roaches, so I'm moving
to have a friend at my side.

Libraries—where I spent hours 
between stacks, under pressure—
jury's still out: can I still
read a book for pleasure?

Maryland Sheep and Wool Fest
incited my textile craze,
bought kits to busy my hands 
while I nightly binge Greys.

In textile block, taught by Winterthur Museum curators and conservators, my classmates touch and look up close at a silk damask gown. I joined my instructors on an optional field trip to Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, where one could buy a whole sheep’s fleece, buy naturally dyed and home-spun wool, watch sheep get shorn, or a eat a lamb gyro… something for everybody. Then I brought my textile skills lab to the public one Saturday with a “hands on history cart” with the theme “crafting by candlelight.”

Netherlandish descendants,
if from the Hudson Valley,
I can tell you of their portraits
by the limner, style or family.

Objects varied as can be,
take your pick of my reports:
an anachronistic fashion doll
or chair with dolphin arm supports?

Public humanities grants
in this climate stand frustrated,
yet workshops and funds I received
Has kept me motivated.

Quilting patterns tell rich stories
in patchwork and appliqué.
I hope to gather friends and cloths, 
Piece together our technique.

Some objects I spent untold hours staring at: an intricately carved dolphin arm support on a French empire style chair made in Philadelphia, c. 1825, an eye-catching portrait --which is so giving "medieval Biblical painting" — of Dutch American darling Ms. Magdalena Douw (Gansevoort), c. 1740; and this 17th-century jointed wooden doll in a hand-sewn shattering silk dress and petticoat. It's maker/owner? The world may never know, but I have my theories. All images courtesy of Winterthur Museum.

Rabbit's Foots Comedy Co,
the star of my thesis paper,
is an early black-owned troupe,
with a brass band and paraders.

Sleep was spotty as can be
after England and daylight savings;
my Oura ring keeps watch of
how my inner clock's behaving.

Traversing the south with my class
Down Carolina coasts,
then up through Shenandoah—
so grand, it deserves its own post.

Visiting friends refreshed my
soul in Colorado Springs
I posted a vlog here, as I 
love making those things.

An ad for Rabbits Foot Comedy Company in the “Stage” section of the 1905 edition of the Indianapolis Freeman, an African American newspaper.

Left: My college friends and I after a chill hike in Colorado Springs in March. Right: A stealthy selfie of my friend Eleanor and I as we take in the vernacular plantation architecture (and complicated history behind it) in South Carolina, June.

Weaving is for everyone —
such an underrated craft!
Grabbed a frame loom, yarns, & treadle
to start my weft without a draft!

X is for the unknown thing
to elevate my thesis.
I'm filling in a puzzle
with a couple missing pieces.

"Yeses"— I'm running out of! 
This fall I've already agreed
to be intern, maid of honor,
and bible study co-lead.

Zealous I will strive to stay
while this country acts unjustly.
These times demand compassion,
to love mercy, and walk humbly.

U might not be here, but I haven’t forgotten you.

Right now I’m in Florida doing Camille things. Next blog post, I’ll tell you about that, or give you my pop culture opinion, or talk about a cool bowl I saw. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen…