Computer says yes.

I've been staring at the blog for a while trying to think of a way of explaining the past week. 
Can't even sum up.  Brain full, heart full.  Rather tired.  Cat mad at me.  SOAR good.  System full.

Maggie Casey taught me how to spin long drawn in about 10 words, something I have struggled to learn at home for a year or more.  Click.

(There were additional words of guidance from Charlene and Kim to my right as the class progressed that helped to solidify things, I very much do not want to leave that part out because they were fantastic and helpful and illustrate beautifully the point that this event is about learning & teaching rather than ego.)

Judith McKenzie McCuin explained something about yarn construction that made my eyes spin around like cherries in my head and now I know I can make yarn that will make a good sweater, instead of just a good skein.  Also, I maybe need a loom.

I spun bison.  I did it well.  I spun COTTON.  Not quite as well.  But I get it now.

From Margaret Stove I learned to make the finest springiest merino lace weight.  Someone spoke to me while I was learning this and I had nothing left to reply, my whole being was in the thread in my hands. 

And that's just the surface of it.

Rhinebeck is so much fun it really maybe ought to be a controlled substance, all these fairs and festivals are wonderful, but they are nothing like this, this intensity of learning and connection, these incredibly generous people - not just the mentors but everyone was interested in making everyone better, sharing technique and information and time and joy and wine and everything.

If we are lucky, a few times in our lives the wall of our mental house falls down - or explodes outward - and we get to step over the broken rubble and walk this entirely new landscape of mountains and possibility and a giant sky and new pathways full of knowledge and our own potential to grow, change and eventually, contribute something.  There is possibility.  And ponies.
And the world expands.

This was SOAR.

Comments

[Joan]

Know you went to Rhinebeck... saw your picture! Are you recovered yet?

[anne]

wow, it sounds fantastic. i might need to treat myself next year. take a good break and go to both SOAR and rhinebeck.

[Chloek]

Your comment about Judith McKenzie McQuin, made me smile. She is a goddess, very simply, a goddess. I have taken every class that she has taught in my area and there have been more than a few. I walk away in awe EVERY SINGLE TIME!. Glad you enjoyed SOAR.

[Lee Ann]

I'll take one of that, please. But without the ponies.

;-)

I get to hug you soon. This makes me verra verra happy.

[Jess]

Wow, SOAR really sounds incredible, even better than I'd imagined. I *will* be going next year, been putting it off (or distracted/kept home by small children) for years but next year has got to be it.

[kim in oregon]

Y'know, JMM could teach in class in, what, removing lice from monkey scalps, and I would hang on ever last work.

[Shelagh]

wow. it sounds dreamy. it makes me want to go next year...

[julia fc]

yep, that wall falling down thing? Perfect.

[jillian]

But they are your pretty little ponies

[Charlene]

I love that you so totally (ok, I'm a geek, so sue me) grokked SOAR - it's exactly that which keeps me returning year after year (this was my --gulp-- thirteenth). It's altogether about the people and the generousness and excitement and goofiness, rather than about the mentors and the market (though they're certainly not to be sneezed at!) And wouldja believe, I'm really not a People Person, but at SOAR I almost can't get enough togetherness.

[Marcy]

You've pegged it perfectly and eloquently, Juno. Until the last few years when the cash was too short, my year pretty much revolved around SOAR. And not only does it fill you up, it also changes you. :D

[lanea]

Wow. Just wow. Maybe I should go.

[Laurie]

Then I guess SOAR is well named.

[denny]

wait. look up. whats that falling down from the sky, rain, snow, noooo it's a loom
duck. You just have to say the word and they come to you. From your sweaty pit friend Denny.

Did I smell?

[Anne]

Ah... Beautifully put.

[Margaret]

Sounds absolutely wonderful!

[Sarah]

wow.

[Deborah C.]

You make me jealous... I would love to go to SOAR one day. You are so right about walls expanding and breaking to reveal new vistas. I've had it happen once or twice, and it feels like I've just woken up from a long sleep to find myself in Oz. I hope you come to Rhinebeck this weekend.

[claudia]

She liked it. She really, really liked it.

:)

[entangled]

My mom has a loom in her basement. She's had it since the 70's. I was just trying to talk her into getting rid of it (she keeps everything) and she said she was hoping I would want it. I am really into knitting but time escapes me and I am not sure I will go so far as to weave. Who knows! What kind of loom are you looking for? I will have to ask her what kind it is. You can send me an email if you want me to ask her. I live in BC

[Abby Franquemont]

Yeah. That.

*grunt*

http://abbysyarns.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=2007-SOAR&id=juno01

Proof!

[Sandy in South Central South Dakota]

Referring to you comment yesterday about things unfolding as they will....have you read Desiderata?
It's on line and has quite a history. See the line "and weather or not it is clear to you.......". I love the Desiderata and at one time had memorized it. Enjoy....Sandy

[Carla]

Glad to see you made it home okay. You're spot on with your description of SOAR - I feel the same way.

[nicole]

Wow, SOAR sounds fantastic. I'll have to (happily) settle for Rhinebeck, for now...

[Ellen]

Lovely, thoughful reflection on SOAR. I was taking a break from writing my dissertation to read your blog and...well, this was just perfect. I was just wondering how to characterize that great feeling I sometimes get from putting ideas together and writing them down and having it finally come out the way I want it to... Rubble. Ponies.

That's about right.