The setting in is for most part complete. Please do come in let me give you a tour.
When open the door first opens it seems like the walls are much to thick. Rather like what you’d find in a castle with stone walls rather than a manor with it’s walls of smooth plaster and wood trim. The reason for this become apparent when you step through into the room. The whole of the wall along that side of the room is floor to ceiling shelves. I needed all those shelves to hold my many books and treasures. Some of the shelves hold baskets that contain fiber waiting to be spun into yarn. Some of the fibers are cotton, some silk, flax and lots of wool. The fibers on one shelf are their their natural color and on another dyed in all the colors of the rainbow. There’s lot’s of yarn too that’s waiting to woven or knit into garments that will clothe my friends and loved one’s. One a shelf near the top you’ll see a black cat, his name is Obsidian Oby for short, curled up asleep in basket of yarn almost as black as he is. It would be easy to miss him there, I think that’s why he likes it there. On a shelf a bit lower down is a tall wire mesh cage that is the abode of Mitzvah the white rat. You might be surprised to know that they are the closest of friend despite their differences.
I do hope you like the music I have playing. I love to listen to music from all over the world but my special favorite is Celtic.
At one end of the room is a fireplace. There is a large kettle set to one side of the coals in the fireplace. It has steam gently wafting from the spout in anticipation of a pot tea to be brewed. I always keep the kettle ready for tea. In front of the fireplace are two comfortable chairs with a tea table between them that has been set with mismatched china. There’s a basket next to one of the chairs to hold the knitting I’m currently working on. To the right of the fire place sits my spinning wheel and distaff. To the left is a small writing desk where my lap top computer and other electronic gadgets are stored. I recharge them all with solar power which explains the wire that runs from the computer out the window. I keep small solar panels on the window ledge outside.
Over the mantle is a beautifully calligraphed and illuminated scroll set in a gold frame. It is a letter from my dearest friend, Mairi. In the letter she gifted me with word’s written by Fra Giovanni in 1513. His words and her love for me have brought me great comfort when I have felt lonely or sad. To repay the kindness everyone has shown me since I moved in to my room I have gifted Lemuria with these same words. You can go and see them in the Temple of Solace.
Under one of the large windows on the wall opposite the shelves, is a four harness floor loom. Its wood shines in the sunlight but the loom seems to look a bit lonely since it’s not dressed with a project at the moment. In front of the loom is a bench carved with fanciful flowers for me to sit on while I weave. Next to the loom is a small table, this too has flowers carved into it, that has my shuttle’s and a large ceramic mug sitting on it.
At the other end of the room is a large work table which has drawers in the base. It’s the perfect height for me to cut my fabric into pieces for the garments I sew. I store art paper, and fabric in the drawers. In one corner stands an easel and tabboret with art supplies like colored pencils and pens laid out neatly on top. There is a board with a piece of clean whitepaper taped to it ready for me to draw on.
Just beyond the work table is a divider screen. The woven screen panels tell a story. Every time I tell the story depicted on the screen it comes out different. Perhaps I’ll tell you the story some day. Behind the divider screen you’ll find the bed. The coverlet on the bed is woven in a pattern that seems to shift and change depending on how the light hits it. Its colors are that of a peacock. In this area is also large wardobe. The door is slightly ajar. If you open it you’ll fine another cat, this one grey, her name is Minuette. She likes to sleep nestled in among my shawls and wool tunics when she’s not getting into mischeif. But the tales of my furry friends are best left for another day.
On the floor are rugs woven in the colors of the forest, all greens and browns, with brite bits of blue, that are remenisant of the seeing the sky thru the trees on a warm summer day. On the walls are fine tapestries where maidens sit with unicorns and gardens are full of the flowers from ever part of the known world. I can’t take credit for all the weaving you see. I’m just one in a long line of women who have worked fiber and cloth. My wheel and distaff, loom, and other tools along with this fine collection of textiles have been passed from mother to daughter for generation after generation.
So you see, I’ve settled in quite nicely. Thank you so much for coming to visit. Remember, you can come visit me any time for a cup of tea and a chat. My door is always open.
Chesten's Travels in a Creative World 