Serendipity

2013 Crochet

This is a photo of my craft efforts of the last few weeks.  My Granny taught me to crochet when I was very young and ever since I have enjoyed the soothing action of crochet hook and yarn producing simple patterns. She made piles of berets, I go for squares, ultimately sewn up to make lap blankets, shawls or cot blankets. They also make quite good chair covers. Somehow or other the whole process is good for the soul.  Some of these are destined for troubled spots abroad in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, and it is good to be able to make a connection by thinking or praying about the people and children who may get some use from them.

During the last week it has been especially helpful for me.  I twisted my ankle and foot quite badly so have been sitting in state with one foot on a stool. Crochet can still go on apace, and I can half-listen to the news or TV programmes in the background. Which brings me quite neatly to the death of Margaret Thatcher.

When she became Prime Minister I was a busy mother with four small children, as well as being a manager in commerce. Truth to tell, I was probably not as politically aware as I should have been; looking back though I see the seeds of many of our country’s problems as occurring during her time in power.  The whole sorry tale of the banks and financial institutions; the ever-increasing difference between those who have and those who do not; an increasing tendency to think of the self rather than others; a lack of consideration for those who are disabled – unless they can don carbon-fibre prosthetics and run very fast…….

Harrumph………. ok, Thatcher was a dedicated believer in a form of politics which she viewed as good for the country.  She meant what she said, and she got on with things. She was a force to be reckoned with on the world stage and fortunately, she was never faced down. I recognise that many people think of her as some sort of saviour, but many others see her as the destroyer of communities, heavy industry, manufacturing and the solidarity of working people through trades unions and dangerous jobs.

I am uncomfortable with the idea of people publicly holding celebrations because she is dead.  I think it better to respect someone’s passing whilst being able to be realistic about their contribution to life. Baroness Thatcher was a frail old lady at the end of her life and the latter half of the 20th Century was largely shaped by her and her beliefs.

As for me …… I shall get back to my crochet. How about you?

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9 Responses to Serendipity

  1. Dianne says:

    Put me in the column who liked MT. We want life to be different than it is, but to make things better sometimes we must take the bitter pill. After several decades of a declining economy, the UK had only one way to go to make things better. (not unlike the States today). I wrote a research paper on MT and found that if I used he instead of she in thinking about her, I would view her differnently. She was a tough cookie, no doubt but viewed in the masculine, we would say she had “balls”

    I too find it appalling that some rejoiced in her death. Every man’s (or woman’s) death dimishes me. I am not an island. In this troubled complex world things are far from perfect. Dianne

    Yes, its back to the crochet. You are very good and I like the colors.

  2. Mina says:

    Good to see the fruits of your labour – the blankets will be welcomed by whoever receives them.

    As for Mrs T. Like her or loathe her -at the time she was a power to be reckoned with. I admired her most for being a woman and not apologising for being a successful one. It will be interesting to continue hearing opinions about her in the media. My favourite comment heard so far was an interview with Tommy Sheridan of ‘poll tax’ fame when he was ranting about the said lady – the interviewer commented / asked ‘and where would you be now if it had not been for her?’ Silence was the only response.

  3. Ray Barnes says:

    I’m sorry about your ankle Freda. Hope it mends really soon.
    Your crochet work looks beautiful, as one who has no manual skills whatever I greatly admire those who do such things well.
    As for Margaret Thatcher………….Let me just say that, a feminist all my life, if any future female candidate for the Prime Minister’s post were a Thatcher I would vote for a man, any man, sooner than have a repeat of her ll year power trip.
    In my opinion she single handedly demolished every good thing which the thirty years of a welfare state had done for the financially and educationally marginalised in our society.
    She was a one-woman demolition squad and started the rot which followed.
    I would never rejoice that anyone had died, but that doesn’t stop me wishing she had never been born.

  4. LC says:

    The idea of your weaving prayer into every stitch of those crocheted blankets and shawls is inspiring. After my stroke, a relative’s church sent me a “prayer shawl” crocheted and donated by a women’s group at the church. I thought that their designation “prayer shawl” was a reminder to trust God for my recovery and pray when I used the shawl. But your post makes me realize that the sense of hopefulness, security and emotional comfort I experienced when I snuggled in the comfort of that shawl was evidence that the prayers of caring women came with that shawl.

    I am in the camp of MT admirers.

  5. ernestine says:

    Pray you heal quickly.
    An elderly neighbor (now I am elderly) taught me to crochet
    30 years ago. I make afghans for all of my children and grand children.
    Have not done this in years
    and would like to start again.
    It had a calming affect on me.
    Now this neighbor has passed on
    and I cannot figure out how I use to do this.
    Wish you were near 🙂
    I will keep trying…

  6. Sheila says:

    Freda I love your crochet projects! I have re-taught myself how to knit this winter but am not producing enough to send anywhere. Just a few dish clothes to give to friends so far. Mum taught me to knit when I was quite young but I never pursued it until now. Like you I am enjoying the peace and solace of creativity! We are in Asheville North Carolina touring on our way home. Check out facebook for some pictures if you want. I need to do a blog on this but it so much easier to post on fb while on the road. Sorry to hear about your ankle. Take care.

  7. chris says:

    Even the sound of Thatcher’s voice on the radio on the day she died made my stomach turn. And now I know for sure how much it all cost to give her such a funeral, I know I was right (as opposed to merely prejudiced) to oppose it. Yesterday I attended the funeral of a friend and couldn’t help contrasting the two … BTW, I’d love your professional take on what happened at the local funeral; it’s on the blog! Hope your ankle is well on the mend now.

  8. freda says:

    Ankle is mending slowly, Chris,but I doubt ballroom dancing can happen anytime soon.

    I know what you mean about the cost of Thatcher’s funeral – not an easy time.

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