Dear Friends,
Summer is that long awaited time of year when spending the day lazing on the back porch is a necessary indulgence. It is the time of year when the fridge has iced tea at the ready, and when a trip to the pond for a swim caps many a hot afternoon.
For me, the summer is a perfect time to take on those larger-than-life jobs around the house that feel overwhelming in the winter. We have plans this summer to paint some rooms, install a new fence around the garden, clean out the loft/attic, and rid the yard of invasive garlic mustard.
Along this vein, on a recent sunny day I decided to take out the bucket of walnuts that had been soaking in water since last Fall and see what I could dye with them. Cushion covers and stained kitchen towels went into the vat, as did some clothing that seemed to need a new lease on life. What I discovered in this process is that even though the walnut dye is quick to turn my hands a dark, rich brown, some types of cloth are immune to it. Cushion covers I thought were cotton must be made of some other fiber, because they totally resisted that nice brown. The faded areas I hoped would absorb the dye didn't change in the least. Stains on some of the towels remain just as obvious as they were to start with, and nothing turned out deep or rich. If they changed color at all it was to a dull grey.
Even in the most frustrating moments I am always looking for something to learn, and this process was no different. What I came up with is that dyeing is quite a lot like creating joyful moments and memories in our lives. The walnut dye did not cover up stains or markings, so too the highlights of life cannot do away with the fact that we have had and will have difficult times. They are a part of life. But the good times, the memories we create, perhaps especially in the summer, serve to ease the difficulties a bit, placing them in a broader context.
This summer, amidst all of the somewhat practical things I hope to accomplish, I also plan to add to my list of good memories and joyful times. When the days get darker, or when life gets busier, I will have these to draw on and hopefully they will help me through the tough times.
May your summer be a (guilt-free) time of refreshment and fulfillment.
Blessings,
Shirley Oskamp
Pastor, Tinmouth Community Church