“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”― Eckhart Tolle

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Marigold Moon


Yesterday a package arrived from Nova Scotia.  It was just a plain brown box with all sorts of postage information stuck to it.  Who knew that love could come in a plain brown box?  The Goatmother opened the box which, if one could believe the label, was from our friend, Claire of Whispering Acres. Now, before I go any further, let me tell you something about Claire.  This woman is no stranger to adversity.  In the short time since she moved back to Nova Scotia, her life has literally fallen apart and her dreams shattered.  We only thought Mr. Murphy lived at our house.  Claire has been host to Mr. Murphy's evil Godfather.  And yet, this gentlest and kindest of souls, dealt so much, did an unbelievable thing.  Why?  All I can say is remember No. 1 on our list of things learned so far?  Oh, that doesn't even begin to cover it.  Not in a lifetime.

So the Goatmother opened the box and this is what she found:


A beautifully executed needle-felted likeness of none other than myself.  Of course Claire felt the need to point out that the likeness was not as 'perfect' as she would have liked but that my markings are quite challenging to reproduce.  Me?  Challenging?  Au' ContClaire!  Well, I don't know, but I am an expert on *me* and I can tell you that I just don't see a Peanut-loving thing wrong with it.  I mean, I don't know if you can see it, but she even included my exquisite icing-dipped wattles.   Just like real thing!  Methinks the lady too modest.  What do you think?

And that wasn't all.  No indeed.  Do you see that beautiful, beautiful bracelet?  Well that bracelet is hand-made by Claire just for the Goatmother!  It contains not only love, but is "green for renewal and life force, with leaf-shaped beads for new growth, and a central nugget of Howlite, which is a semi-precious stone first found in Nova Scotia!"  Not only made with love, but with a deep and abiding intent.  I can tell you it will look a WHOLE lot better on the Goatmother than that mundane Power Port bracelet.

But that still wasn't all.   That was enough, wasn't it?  Nope.


I hope you can see the card.  It is needle-felted of the most exquisitely beautiful yarn fibers imaginable.  And the water is imbued with iridescent fibers alight with the  sparkling shimmer of tranquility.  It is rife with the Goatmother's favorite colors ... the colors of the vast sea.  How did Claire know?  Perhaps Claire has a little of 'the shining'.

And last, but by no means least.  What?  There's more?  Oh, yes, my friends, there is one more thing - perhaps the most special thing of all.  The poem and the title of this post.  It was written inside the card.

Claire, I can not begin to tell you how many times the Goatmother has cried since she opened that box.  But they aren't tears of sorrow.  They are tears of thankfulness to be so blessed by having people like you in her life.  They are tears of humbleness at the thought of  'who am I to deserve such consideration?'  And they are tears of joy and awe at the sheer goodness and grace in the human soul.  I found a lot of words to make such a meager attempt at conveying something there are no words sufficient to describe.

May the joy, peace, and love that you bring to others, be a blessing coming back to you a thousand fold.  What some chose to foolishly throw aside, will come to be their endless regret.   And to those who knew to look with better eyes, will come a benefit and a gain beyond measure.  Of this I am sure.

32 comments:

Millie said...

Yes, I do think it is a perfect mini-you! Claire is certainly a sweetie.

Ginnie said...

So, so awesome! And please tell Goatmother that my prayers for her continue.

Terry said...

Marigold, the likeness of you is perfect. But she forgot the eensey-teensey peanuts to go with it :)
(In all seriousness, art and love mixed together is powerful healing magic.)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

What a lovely, lovely present. And how thoughtfully made, and gathered, and sent. With Love, Love, Love.

Gentle hugs...

"Love looks not with the eyes,
but with the mind..."

~W. Shakespeare, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Marigold said...

Dear Millie,
Such wondrous beings my friends are...including you. :)

Marigold said...

Dear Ginnie,
Yes! And the Goatmother says to tell you that the same goes from us to you and your husband!

Marigold said...

Dear Terry,
Very well put. Now, that I come to think of it, though, Peanuts in any form are nice ... even teensy tiny ones. Well, hmmm... the Goatmother ought to figure out how to fashion some for my alter ego, don't you think?

Marigold said...

Dear Auntie,
That love word is sometimes such an inadequate word to describe so much, don't you think? I hope you are feeling better!

goatgirl said...

All I can say is, "WOW"

Marigold said...

Dear Goat Girl,
Wow. Yes, a good word. Wow. :)

Claire MW said...

Dear Marigold, I am so very pleased that the parcel arrived and that you and the Goatmother approve! I was worried about the card...I wasn't sure that the scene was recognizable as an ocean-side scene, because my critical eye said "Oh Claire, it's a blue blob and some green blobs, just hope for the best." As for the poem, it was just something that came out suddenly - I just didn't know what to say, so I wrote a poem instead. But I am such a silly-whumpus for not sending felted peanuts. What was I thinking?! xoxox

Anonymous said...

How thoughtful and spirit lifting a gift. A mini Marigold to go with to treatments or stay home to guard the peanut bowl. And the natural vibration of the stone in the bracelet to boost the Goatmothers own vibration to help sustain her vitality. And the poem and picture. I can't even cud right now.

Ozarks Goat Girl said...

I echo Goat Girl--WOW! Loverly!
And now a question--might Claire make and sell those little goat figures? I don't see such listed on her website. I think her goat is incredible. Of course, the model for the replica is incredible, too! I'd like to buy one if she sells them.

Ozarks Goat Girl said...

P.S.--Claire's poem is fantastic. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Marigold said...

Dear Ozarks Goat Girl,
I don't know. We'll have to see if Claire makes other goaties! She's pretty talented.

Marigold said...

Dear BuffyBelle,
Chew girl, chew! You got stuff to slay, for Goats' sake! :)

Marigold said...

Dear Claire,
No felted Peanuts necessary. Everything is more than wonderful! And, I don't know how you could NOT see the ocean there. It is wonderful. Now then, Ozarks Goat Girl wants to know if you do other goaties?!

Claire MW said...

Well you know...I actually posted a picture of the felted Marigold on Facebook, to share with the Goat Sisterhood, before I sent it along, and it received an unexpected level of attention there, and I was asked by several people if I would do other goaties. So now I have a couple of orders for custom goaties! I haven't created a listing in my Etsy shop yet for this, because I'm afraid my time is spread a bit thin right now, but I would definitely consider doing some more. The thing is, they do take quite a bit of time and effort, so I am not sure how to price them. For example, Marigold took about 4 hours of time, plus materials. I've seen very simple felted sheep selling for $10 or so, but a goat that is specifically designed is a bit more complex. So, I shall ask Marigold to act as a moderator here. Marigold...if you were in the market for a likeness of yourself, what would be a fair asking price? You may consult with the Goatmother on this one, as she may be able to do a peanuts-to-dollars conversion. Then maybe I shall do a listing in my shop...which is at http://scotiaspinner.etsy.com. :)

Mrs. Micawber said...

What a wonderful, gorgeous, beautiful, touching, exquisite gift. And the markings look perfect to me!

Marigold said...

Dear Mrs. Micawber,
You just don't know the half of it. :) Peoples is good, eh?

Marigold said...

Dear Ozarks Goat Girl,
There ya' go! Hope you see Claire's reply (and anyone else out there interested!)

Ozarks Goat Girl said...

Claire,
I have not found many good 3-D likenesses of goats in the world. There's lots of sheep figurines, but not goats. I'm interested in your goat felting even if it isn't personalized--just a nice goat figure that typifies the different breeds. Price-wise, I'd pay $20 for a generic goat and more like $40 for a personalized goat. Plus shipping. Personalized felted goats--nobody is doing that. And there are plenty of us who are nuts about our goats and would love to have such an item. Might be a whole new financial possibility for you!

Candy C. said...

What an awesome lady Claire is!! You can really tell the amount of thought and love that went into each and every item she sent the Goatmother! :)

J (impressed) said...

Marigold, now you have a mini-me! Be careful, one day you could have a new barnyard challenger. Maybe the little felt fella writes? Love the bracelet...could it used as a goat anklet? Have you considered framing the card? All in all, tiny treasures.

J (polling) said...

Customized felted goaties could sell for $50 a pop, especially if you take orders Claire!

Any other votes?

Snowcatcher said...

Awesome goats and awesome goatmothers deserve the awesome friends they collect. That mini-you is just the cutest, most precious and adorable little thing I've ever seen!

Goat Girls Rule! said...

The Cudzoo Girls here believe in self esteem -- four hours work plus materials. I'd say that comes to $100 a go. Probably more if you've got some alpine with ridiculous stripes all over her face. And why stop at goats .... we smell a new career here and the smell is as pleasant as peanuts.... Now where do we send the photos?

DebH said...

such a very thoughtful person. I think that small gift means so much more than can ever be described. It is all heart that is and with that I would cry also. Amazing people...simply amazing.

Ozarks Goat Girl said...

Claire,
I reiterate Goat Girls Rule's thoughts--when can we send the photos? I'm going to need 5 felted goats! And, oh, yes, Marigold, we have not forgotten the Goat Mother. Nosiree. Just got sidetracked on this post momentarily.

goatfarmer said...

HOLY GOAT! That is simply amazing! That's all it is!

IsobelleGoLightly said...

Isn't Our Claire special? She has enriched so many lives all over. Her creations are absolutely LOVELY. She made one of me that my lady treasures. I hope that her thoughtfulness gives your Goatmother strength.

Marigold said...

Dear Isobelle,
Yes, indeed, Claire is a very special lady! The Goatmother is inspired everytime she looks at her creations!