Peony for Your Thoughts

I spent three full days in the garden this week. My rear end and legs are aching but I accomplished a lot and it was heavenly––cool, wet, green, and quiet. I have nothing planned outside today (except for some whiffle ball with the kids). 

Synesthesia

I am a synesthete. A person with synesthesia experiences mixed perception; they involuntarily combine one sense with another. Although it can involve any of the senses, the most common form is when an individual associates color with letters and/or numbers. For example, the letter "A" may be known as red, "B" may be blue, "C" may be yellow, and so on. I borrowed the above chart from Wikipedia (that trusty source). I bothers me to read it because the color associations in it are not mine. 

My sister was the one who told me several years ago. Growing up, she and I played odd association games that no one else understood. I'm not sure how she learned she was, or what synesthesia even was. Personally I'm convinced that all people are synesthetes but according to more scientific sources on the subject, it is rare. It is not a big deal. [Trust me, I have weirder traits.]

One of my favorite books by my very favorite author (I know, big surprise, Amy) talks about an incident concerning mixed perception. A doctor's patient, who recently had gained sight after being blind from birth, "called lemonade 'square' because it pricked on his tongue as a square shape pricked on the touch of his hands." This is a lot like synesthesia.

I strongly associate people with colors. My husband "looks" like a Rothko painting, of dark green, navy, black and brown. My son Matt loves to wear green but it doesn't feel right to me, since I think he "is" blue (close to 7453, you Pantone freaks). Sarah is a bright fuchsia, with some sepia and sienna browns, although she says she favors blue. I have a feeling I'm celery green although it is neither my favorite color nor one I look good in. I experience synesthesia in other ways besides color but color is the biggest way. Color in general is very important to me, to see and to work with creatively each day. I get this through gardening, my house, graphic design, and sewing. And music has color to me.

All this brings me to my point, which is this: this week has not really been a sort of verbal week for me. I have nothing to say. What has been dramatic really isn't large to me, and what has been small has been large (does this make any sense?). So, I am leaving the colors of the week as part of my post. Anyone else experience this? Any other colors for the week to share?

Giving and Getting

I've been finding Craigslist a helpful resource for trading plants. Last week I gifted overgrown monarda to three happy gardeners. My neighbors are not gardeners and I welcomed the camaraderie. A woman (in very cute green shorts) generously brought me heliopsis. One man has promised me hostas and grasses in the fall. Another man traipsed all the way across town and lingered, surveying the entire yard. I believe we could've chatted all afternoon, covering each plant.

Today I became the giftee (?) and eagerly accepted yarrow, allium and surprise lilies from a stranger in south Indy (does a gardener ever refuse free plants?). But gardeners tend not to be strangers long and it was fun to poke around in someone else's hard work. All I've met are planning to keep in touch and continue trading when our gardens get out of hand. 

So Matt and I enjoyed our afternoon, digging in "new" plants. When we were finished Matt was so muddy he looked like a chocolate bunny. After baths, we rewarded ourselves with cookies.

More Fun with Scraps

I've been hoarding little baggies––each holding a different fabric medley. I'm finally getting to them and have plans for more belts and handbags. There are so many great fabrics right now and I like how they pop when they're together.

New Things

This week my doctor told me to take it easy since I have tendonitis in my right leg/hip. "Sedentary" sounds like "sewing" doesn't it? Pouring my energy into new stuff for the shop has been fun but (trying not to whinge because I've had heaps of fun), I now have a bloody pinched nerve in my neck! 

I've been lucky enough to have sold 5 things recently and ever so badly need to replenish the shop. I have another belt on the way, too. Then a new bag and…

You-Can't-Catch-Me-I'm-the-No-Nap-Man

One Hour Without Kids