I’ve been slowly working on a test knit for Stephen West’s Painting Bricks Sweater, it matches the Painting Bricks Shawl I knit a while back at the beginning of quarantine. But I won’t lie, I’m angry and I’m exhausted. The emails, the comments, the direct messages and then the news. So I’ve been using this rainbow to try to soothe what aches but I just don’t feel like I’ll ever go back to who I was before all of this started. For a moment I started to think I should just stop writing and posting on social media because it’s a lot, but for every negative message I get, I get someone else saying “I’ve felt the same way,” or “someone did that to me,” or “this happened here too.” So I keep using my platform to maybe teach someone something they didn’t know (yesterday, my husband, a NYer found out from me that Central Park was built on land originally owned by a freed slave community) or change a mind or even make someone think outside of themselves even if for just a moment. But this is my space and although it may change a bit, this is still all me. I’ll be back soon.
Yards of Happiness 
I appreciate all you do. Thank you. Take care of yourself and will look forward to hearing from you are ready. All the best Cathy Woodcock Portland, ORegon
On Wed, Jun 17, 2020 at 7:32 AM Yards of Happiness wrote:
> IamDWJ posted: ” > https://www.flickr.com/photos/theartofaccessories/50015597633/ I’ve been > slowly working on a test knit for Stephen West’s Painting Bricks Sweater, > it matches the Painting Bricks Shawl I knit a while back at the beginning > of quarantine. But I won’t l” >
I appreciate you and your truth-telling, Dana. I am listening. I am determined to keep learning and to find ways that I can take action. You are making a difference – and you’re inspiring me to make one, too. Thank you for sharing your voice and your strength.
Your voice is so important. I’ll be praying for your return, in whatever form makes sense for you. We all have chapters in our lives, and this has been a real jolt, forcing a lot of transition. Take care and know that love and caring energy is coming your way, and that you have inspired many to do the work to change things that have needed to be changed for a long time.
I just found your blog this week, and I have to say I think your sweaters are amazing (both dog and person). I also hear you about the exhaustion of the day, but, for what it’s worth, keep doing what you are doing. It needs to be said, and I’m thankful for the voices in my life who are saying what needs to be said. Be strong and carry on. I also keep thinking about getting back to normal, and in some ways we will never be pre-2020 normal gain. But you know what, I think that is good. I think it is good that the discussion of racial and social injustice is finally taking center stage and I hope that we are all impacted for the better because of people like you who are saying what needs to be said. The downside is that most people don’t want to change, they want the world to be the same and don’t realize that when we are uncomfortable with the discussion is when we change. I can’t wait to read more of your blog! Blessings to you you. Tonja
i know how very very privileged I am (well educated, great job, white skin) and I am so sad all of the time for and from America. And its not just for strangers, its for the many children almost men who have a piece of my heart – my teenage employees and my son’s many friends. He is 17 and has a social circle that is more people of color than white. And I have grown so close to these boys and many of their parents. I worry all of the time that one of the kids will be in the wrong place at the wrong time and something terrible will happen. I can’t imagine the burden that their parents feel but my heart is so heavy. We’ve marched, we’ve donated, and we hope for change. But, mostly we live the life we wish the world to emulate. .
Please be encouraged to continue. Your blogging is really encouraging to me and others like me, as I am not very verbal. I am a new knitter and I come here to get inspired. I learned to knit when I was 18 and I just decided I would pick it back up after I retired last year. I love your work. We are in this together. We are going to find out a lot of things about us that have been ignored in history and prayerfully it will enlighten the world to be better, so please keep looking up. Let’s lift each other. Bonita
As a woman of privilege, I’m exhausted by everything going on and I’m mostly only reading about it. So I can only imagine how exhausted you must be to live in it. Your voice is important. Please keep writing. You are reaching an audience that might not be reading other blogs and articles about BLM or racism or the struggles of the BIPOC community. Please keep writing. It must offer some relief to have a way to express what you’re feeling and going through. Please keep writing. Don’t be silenced. It will be a lot of work, and it will be another thing to add to your level of exhaustion. But Please Keep Writing.