Rethinking aprons

At one point in my life I would have told you that aprons are symbols of servitude. Now, I'm beginning to see why they were once very popular. I've suffered burns from pots of overheated sauce, ruined dozen of shirts with stains and lost small items I had removed to clean things. A well designed, comfortable apron would have helped with all of these.

As with many pieces of history, there are usually perfectly reasonable explanations for customs. Aprons were practical ways to protect clothing in the days before the automatic washer and dryer. They often had convenient pockets for storing things and they could also serve as a fashion statement. Some were purely utilitarian, made from recycled clothing, dishtowels or scraps of fabric. Other aprons were delicate, fashionable and made a statement about class. Aprons could display the talent of a needle worker or the cleverness of the seamstress. They came in many shapes, styles, colors and fabrics, but they were an everyday staple for most women.

I'm reclaiming the apron as a practical necessity, an accessory to housekeeping and something that reflects my personality. Symbols lose their meaning and stigma if the people utilizing those symbols chose to change the way they thing about them.  I'm on the hunt now for the perfect one (or few) aprons to reflect my personality and needs.  When I find one, I'll let you know.

Happy Spring Equinox!

May you and yours be blessed with the magic and cheer of Spring!

~Magickal Graphics~

Woodpeckers

Driving my son to school on Friday, a flash of brilliant red caught my eye.  It was a red headed woodpecker, upside down, tapping on a maple tree. It's not a big bird and from the distance I was at, it could have easily been overlooked, and yet it caught my attention instantly.  I'm certain there is a message here.  I should also note that this happened less than 12 hours after my children "discovered" Woody Woodpecker cartoons.

I've been research bird omens for the last year, and this is the first time I have ever seen one of these birds, alive and in the wild.  Some sources claim they are guardians, while other sources say that woodpeckers are omens of opportunity and balance. Some peoples of the world have considered them sacred, and others see them as a noisy nuisance (think Woody).