The Fallow Times

We've been getting ready for the holidays; all the decorations are up and the Thanksgiving meals have been had.
Over this past weekend, while we were home tucked into our family's cozy homes, I finished up the pattern for a new set of mittens to match Fallow, the cowl I'm hoping to make available in December.

I was so excited to photograph my friend and fellow knitter Jacqueline in a pair of green mitts knit in gorgeous Sanguine Gryphon yarn.   We braved the snow flurries and extreme winds and still found a brief moment of magic.

I also got to snap some photos of my sister wearing the full version of the mittens.   How much do I want her coat?  

 I may have even gotten my husband involved while he decorated the porch...

I'm hoping these mittens that I made by request will be the perfect companion to Fallow

 I’ll learn to love the fallow way
When winter draws the valley down
And stills the rivers in their storm
And freezes all the little brooks
Time when our steps slow to the song
Of falling flakes and crackling flames
When silver stars are high and still
Deep in the velvet of the night sky

 The crystal time the silence times
I’ll learn to love their quietness
While deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams of violets
I’ll learn to love the fallow way

 I’ll learn to love the fallow way
When all my colors fade to white
And flying birds fold back their wings
Upon my anxious wonderings
The sun has slanted all her rays
Across the vast and harvest plains
My memories mingle in the dawn
I dream a joyful vagabonds


The crystal times the silence times
I’ll learn to love their quietness
When deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams in of violets
I’ll learn to love the fallow times
No drummer comes across the plains
To tell of triumph or of pain
No word far off battle’s cry
To draw me out or draw me nigh
I’ll learn to love the fallow way

     

I’ll learn to love the fallow way
And gather in the patient fruits
And after autumns blaze and burn
I’ll know the full still, deep roots
That nothing seem to know or need
That crack the ice in frozen ponds
And slumbering in winter’s folds
Have dreams of green and blue and gold
I’ll learn to love the fallow way
And listening for blossoming
Of my own heart once more in spring

As sure as time, as sure as snow
As sure as moonlight, wind and stars
The fallow time will fall away
The sun will bring an April day
And I will yield to Summer’s way


The Fallow Way  by Judy Collins