referencing yesterday's post,  Jennann's Comment:

"When a caterpillar transforms into a moth,  it digests itself into a caterpillar soup inside the cacoon that still contains the cells needed to make the moth parts…same cells the caterpillar had all along…just transforming into something else."

 

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the fishbird that i Integrated Applique'd  (taught by Jude Hill)  (to my absolute Joy then, as it is still now)  to the edge of the robe i made from a blanket last year (taught by Jude Hill).  

 

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do you see the Eye on that piece of wood?

 

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the beauty FULL worn spots in the curtain that hangs directly in front of me….the pleasure in looking at these almost holes.

so to begin this Full Moon day,   i think.

and repeat:

Whether or not Spirit Cloth continues to appear on this screen in front of me,  

Whether or not Jude Hill chooses to appear on the screen in front of me,

Clothmaking will remain.  it has been and continues to be the truest of the true.  She taught me.  And every thing i have learned remains.   Maybe i just need to understand that process that Jennann described above.  how it's all contained in the cells.   caterpillar cells and moth cells are the same cells.

This might not make sense…but…a long time ago, i was in a shop in Ann Arbor Michigan where i used to live.  There was something there that was just so incredibly beauty full to me…i can't remember now What it Was… (funny)…but i remember really really WANTING IT.  wanting to buy it.  but it was very expensive and i knew i couldn't.  so i was standing there lost in longing and my friend who worked in that shop came to stand next to me, looking too.  and after a bit she said very quietly… ," grace,  the reason you love this so much is because there is something Just Like It already Inside you." 

 

 

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49 responses to “292 Caterpillar Soup….digesting one’s self”

  1. beth Avatar

    …”the reason you love this so much is because there is something Just Like It already Inside you.”
    And the appreciation of this without the possession of it. Yes. This helps a lot. And figuring out how to release a little of that “what’s inside you” back to the world. Cloth is this for you.
    You say more plain. I’m thinking, for me, more slender. Not as in slender compared to physically fat. Just less excess. Less of the unnecessary. So yes, distilled in a way. Not needing all those caterpillar legs if you have wings. Big love to you.

    Like

  2. grace Avatar
    grace

    i would assume that some of the cells, some of the soup,
    sticks to the cacoon, chrysalis, and well…as i write
    that, the caterpillar MAKES the cacoon, chrysalis, so
    some of the soup substance is used for that…
    maybe it’s the legs that get mulched into the fiber
    of the cacoon

    Like

  3. Judith of N. CA Avatar
    Judith of N. CA

    ‘Morning, Grace..the previous posts comments were very lovely beautiful thoughts and words, lovingly shared, deeply felt. But this mornings sharing of your friends words to you are exquisite…made me burst into tears with their beauty.
    Although I wasn’t a part of Jude’s cloth teachings, I realize many of you are having some difficult transitions..perhaps Jude is too (or maybe, a sense of freedom..I wouldn’t presume to know)..how fortunate you are to be able to reach out to each other..and her “lessons” continue..what a gift she has given you. I am grateful for being able to follow her blog..in which I discovered so many of you.

    Like

  4. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy

    Well, this is amazing. Thank you Grace.

    Like

  5. suzanna Avatar

    Yes yes yes…

    Like

  6. Valerianna Avatar

    Oh, I LOVE what your friend said to you!! And, I’ve heard those caterpillar/butterfly cells called “imaginal cells”… so, I often call the liquid inside the cocoon “imaginal soup.” I know we have imaginal cells as well… the ones that can become anything within our bodies, the less specific and more open-minded ones, I guess. There are fewer of those. Ha. That’s how it is, isn’t it?
    Full moon day – snowstorm day here. We are kind of hibernating today, Pasha and I.

    Like

  7. grace Avatar
    grace

    well…i just went back. i’m not good at writing things
    down. so i went back in Picasa, looking for signposts…
    FOUND. i’ll post a couple pics later.
    i FOUND the beginning…it was in November, 2009. since
    then, Spirit Cloth has been the center of my world.
    IS THAT TRUE?….of my world????? kind of. my INTERIOR
    WORLD. more true.

    Like

  8. lindamorris Avatar
    lindamorris

    oh my goodness. starts with this beauty, this thing you wanted whatever it was, then friend, who was beauty and a treasure herself shares wise and loving words, then these words come to us , just when we really need them ! the magic the miracle the connectness of it all ! thank you so much grace. happy full decembers moon

    Like

  9. grace Avatar
    grace

    linda…and that took place probably 25 years ago…give
    or take…
    how those threads still pulse.
    the Thing, whatever it was, was suspended from the
    ceiling.
    just like the thing i was SEEing yesterday is
    suspended from the ceiling.
    ????????????
    and such a happy full decembers moon to you, linda, love

    Like

  10. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    …”the reason you love this so much is because there is something Just Like It already Inside you.”
    continuing with this thought from Grace through Beth. . .”and the appreciation of this without the possession of it.”
    we appreciate the quality which we see outside ourselves. . . . .and we OWN that quality that is within us. I think you said yesterday, Beth, something about having your own tools for just going. and those tools help us to understand the nature of that quality in ourselves.
    I do so love all that is shared here.

    Like

  11. grace Avatar
    grace

    …….~YES~……..

    Like

  12. Mo Crow Avatar

    oh yeah! & Yay! Hooray! love how each of us are like raindrops in the cyber sea and how the circles we create reach out through word and stitch and image and sharing & touch each other, that is so amazing!
    Thank you for sharing your days here Grace !

    Like

  13. patricia Avatar

    i’m wondering what that feels like, for the caterpillar–the dissolving to become a moth. i’m wondering if it complains and bemoans the process. probably not. i’m wondering if there is a point where a decision is made–to continue the process or to stop? and then, if it continues, is that with consciousness or just because? but really what i’m wondering is how i can learn from the caterpillar.

    Like

  14. grace Avatar
    grace

    i have been thinking these same thought, getting ready
    to go to work Away. what would it FEEL like
    i’m wondering if it’s like childbirth…like that
    moment when our water breaks and we begin those first
    contractions on, to the very clear point of no return
    of Transition????
    and then, well
    death

    Like

  15. handstories Avatar

    what a perfectly beautiful perfect thing to say.

    Like

  16. jennann Avatar
    jennann

    “grace, the reason you love this so much is because there is something Just Like It already Inside you.”
    And, once again, you’ve shared something that has brought me to tears.
    Do you think if the caterpillar had a choice, it would choose to dissolve itself? Maybe it’s simply a matter of transforming or die…maybe the only difference with humans is that we think too much about it…

    Like

  17. Michelle in NYC Avatar

    Well, this sewing circle is transforming into a philosophers stone! I just love this–“Not needing all those caterpillar legs if you have wings.” Not needing is the best place to rest. It seems that what is truly needed will be likely to manifest given the right conditions. If all grief comes from desire, then what’s really left to want? ‘Want not’ can be a useful mantra.
    Your photographs today, the way you are looking and seeing, it’s really powerful, and tender too.

    Like

  18. grace Avatar
    grace

    …it just Is….
    ?
    xo

    Like

  19. grace Avatar
    grace

    oh….hey…suzanna….

    Like

  20. grace Avatar
    grace

    i don’t know that term….”imaginal cells”…am going
    to look it up.
    if you have a reference…please????
    i wish i could hibernate….

    Like

  21. grace Avatar
    grace

    i have nothing else really to share but them….

    Like

  22. grace Avatar
    grace

    yes. and she was a YOUNG woman.
    Paula Cady. this conversation took place in
    Crazy Wisdom Book Store.
    i forget what street it’s on…

    Like

  23. grace Avatar
    grace

    who knows the answers to these questions. maybe some
    kind of cellular Imperative takes over and it just goes?
    and maybe that can happen too with human beings?
    more questions to wonder about.
    THANK YOU SO MUCH for the telling of what happens
    with caterpillars. SOOOOO MUCH.

    Like

  24. grace Avatar
    grace

    just some days. tomorrow will be Kantha.

    Like

  25. Tracy Leppold Avatar

    I love the thought of cells that can become anything. Think of growing extra thumbs if you need them. Or growing wings, or gills so you never have to come out of the water.
    Don’t be so sad about Jude. She’s still alive, and she’ll be blogging again and we can go visit and look at the pictures. A teacher told us once to take what we learned there… Oh I can’t remember, I have an image of carrying that knowledge in a small basket. It’s precious and light is glowing from it. When you need it that knowledge will come to help. That’s the story I see, though not the one she told.

    Like

  26. ² Avatar
    ²

    that is al there is … just share our life
    that’s so greet
    i am so thankful that this happen
    that you al go with me
    it support the way i have to go too
    so we are never allone
    we are al connect if we let it happen
    arent’ we ….. ?
    you are ” grace ” to us

    Like

  27. ² Avatar
    ²

    thank you for those words
    ill understand them in my heart
    and that’s the right place
    ” not needing ” is the best place to rest ” !!!!!
    it is not nessecery to know one other by boddy
    if you knew them by heart

    Like

  28. suzanna Avatar

    Wanting to also say thank you for the fireplace pictures…I am jealous…we are not allowed to burn wood here because of Spare the Air…it has been nine days so far. I feel grumbly about this, which is selfish I know, but…well anyway I am grateful to see your warm fireplace…

    Like

  29. Linda Avatar

    It is so strange today. I haven’t cried in months but today I just feel so teary. I think part of it is this change. Change in all things. Hard to find peace except in stitching. Not much time for it now. I loved that your friend was so wise 25 years ago. I think it is taking me longer to get it. Glad you are here to be the touchstone.

    Like

  30. ² Avatar
    ²

    o… yes … let us just do some kantha

    Like

  31. Marti Avatar
    Marti

    Sitting on the outside of all of this as I’ve never taken a class from Jude but have read her blog and commented and watched all that grace has done and does from her classes these past three years what comes to me is this:
    Whether intentional or not, Jude and all of you, created a community. A community of sharing,one of caring and connection, one of wisdom and spirit and I mean that in the spiritual sense and in the sense of high jinks and laughter. As Jude goes off to spend time doing other things, all of that continues, in the cloth that you all continue to do, in the thoughts and words that you share in your many blogs and comments and especially here, in windthread, this home that grace has provided.
    To honor all that has come from Jude, to honor all that you cloth women have given to her, let this time be one of “just going”. Continue to be inspired from all that you have learned, continue to be inspired from each other for it is a wise, gifted, heart filled, lovely, and most loving community that has come into existence.

    Like

  32. Anna Lisa Avatar

    ” grace, the reason you love this so much is because there is something Just Like It already Inside you.”
    ahh I’ve teared up
    this makes me happysad
    thank you for creating this space to think and make soup

    Like

  33. grace Avatar
    grace

    when things feel a certain way to me, i often find self
    coming up with words that go back to my childhood world,
    Church words. and the word that rose this morning, reading your words….
    Benediction
    so i looked it up and yes. a blessing that promotes
    goodness and well being.
    my feelings and sense of things still re arrange, that
    kaleidoscope effect, moment to moment.
    but that will even out.
    and what is good that you Mirrored here is
    “Whether intentional or not….”
    but here we are. What wanted to come into being, Did.
    and Is. and so we go. Honoring Jude, Honoring OurSelves,
    Honoring our Making and most of all, Honoring Cloth.
    and tho you don’t sew that much, you know Cloth through
    your relationship with the dance of cloth and plants, so
    you Know the Honoring of Cloth.
    thank you for these words. they soften things.
    love…

    Like

  34. kathy dorfer Avatar
    kathy dorfer

    even though i don’t always say much … i am so very thankful for you grace and what you bring to our group .
    happy solstice grace …
    xxoo

    Like

  35. grace Avatar
    grace

    i always know you are There, where ever the Cloth is…
    love to you…

    Like

  36. Michelle in NYC Avatar

    Ih Kantha Queen, that will be a treat! See you later.

    Like

  37. grace Avatar
    grace

    we are all equally important to Each Other. we make
    the Whole of It.

    Like

  38. grace Avatar
    grace

    i DID!, did you????????

    Like

  39. grace Avatar
    grace

    i believe this, Maria….when we know someone by Heart,
    no matter how, we know them best.
    Love,

    Like

  40. grace Avatar
    grace

    yes. we can go look at the pictures. that might be
    just Enough.
    ?????

    Like

  41. grace Avatar
    grace

    the wood burning for heat….it’s not an Air issue here
    and the wood is from Forest Service cuts, so ok too.
    it’s labor intensive, the splitting and hauling in
    but there is NOTHING like the warmth it gives….

    Like

  42. grace Avatar
    grace

    i think teary is good sometimes…cleansing tears?
    and you are looking at letting go of years of your
    work…so that would be in the mix of the Soup….
    she, the friend, she was so young…
    i will never forget.
    we touch each other….

    Like

  43. grace Avatar
    grace

    i went to your house….many beauty Full things there…
    many things familiar to my sense of things…
    Thank you for coming here, please come again, as often
    as you can, always soup and space

    Like

  44. Tracy Leppold Avatar

    Someday she’ll open her comments back up. Heck it’s the holiday lts and she’s been at it for years. Time for a break. Everyone needs one.

    Like

  45. jan millington Avatar
    jan millington

    HI Grace. I haven’t been part of Jude’s teaching either, but have loved looking at her blog. And loved meeting up with y’all in t’internet-land. You’re all such amazingly inspiring people. I will miss Jude’s blog; but will continue to lookout for all of you that I’ve met t/here. I’m hibernating as much as possible at the moment. Trying to find my usual connection to the season; struggling with it a bit this year. But I’m encouraged by all your comments about your connections. Helps me to feel my way through the dark. I love your open-ness; the questions; the answers. May all your Solstices be right. X Jan, in a dark & cold Yorkshire, England.

    Like

  46. grace Avatar
    grace

    jan…her blog should resume when she’s ready. and
    it’s quite amazing to me, all of Us who she has
    magnetized …..
    if i could, i’d hibernate. i can’t. so i do what
    i need to do.
    i have struggled with this time of year for a long time.
    This year i seem to be “surfacing”. I love too,
    OPENNESS, QUESTIONS, ALL MANNER OF POSSIBLE ANSWERS.
    I will think of you and say your name
    Jan, in Yorkshire, England
    tomorrow night and then on the Day of Solstice.
    Love,

    Like

  47. saskia Avatar

    what a truly kind thing to say
    btw ‘visited’ the bookshop on internet, seems like a very cool place to be

    Like

  48. saskia Avatar

    what a truly kind thing to say

    Like

  49. saskia Avatar

    ….and I ‘visited’ the bookshop on internet, looks like a really cool place

    Like

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