wooly bear

yesterday another student finished his book. he took two pieces of scrap leather (all we have is scrap) and sewed them together because he wanted a larger book. he sewed his signatures into the spine with a long stitch. he originally wanted lots of overlap of the skins, but trimmed them. he was delighted to make a rolled leather button and braid the waxed linen for a closure. and see the fine weaving he did on the spine?
his pride in this book, which has a strong intention (as a memorial for soldiers who have died in iraq and afghanistan), was touching.

on my bathroom floor a friendly wooly bear. another proud survivor, like my student, who has survived much in his eighteen years. the wooly bear was given a trip back outside, to the garden where the violas grow.
this was monday. it's tuesday now, and i am off for five days.