Elephants are good luck, especially those with their trunks turned upward. Not surprisingly, they are among some of my favorite animals. Along with Brezos (zebras) and giraffes, the trifecta of African animals is so bizarre and beautiful.
Embellished baby clothing is an easy way to share my love of these gentle giants with new petites. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how thrift stores are a brilliant resource for projects of all sorts. Following Goodwill on Twitter, I’ve learned a bit about repurposing. Not to mention Soulemama’s latest book — at the top of my to-read list.
Repurposing, embellishing, being creative — they seem to be en vogue now more than ever. The downsides to a slowing economy are much simpler to discuss. Yet the silver-linings are pushing neighbors into community gardens, getting folks to cancel TV and pick up books, having families return to the dinner table for conversation rather than another drive through run, encouraging friends to share coupons and deals, and challenging us to be better versions of ourselves.
This weekend I’m having friends over to learn how to make preserves. We’re desert fruit gathering and canning. We’ll eat lunch, listen to music and gather together to learn a skill my grandmother once learned on a depression-era suffering farm.
I’m not happy that there are so many folks struggling to make ends meet. There are more hungry people now than ever before in my life, so it seems. But I am happy that it seems we are eating less, sharing more and learning with each breath.
Tell me that’s not a world in which you want to welcome an elephant-onsie wearing baby?
~K