A box full of raw cotton bolls came to me in the mail today, courtesy of my delightful (and generous) friend Cindee at CiNdEeS’ GaRdEn. I realized that I needed some visual interest for the display that I use for children when I spin and weave for them. Like a true twit, I went on Twitter and tweeted the need for raw cotton. Cindee responded, “Here I come to save the daaaay!” Or, something like that.
Hallelujah for King Cotton
Different from what is in aspirin bottles!
Thank you, Cindee! You did indeed save the day for me. I needed that cotton for the filming of my program later this month.
When I perform in schools, I show children the fibers that people once spun for their clothing. I don’t spin cotton in front of an audience; I spin sheep’s wool, because it’s easier to spin it while you talk. But, cotton is one of the first fibers that people spun for their clothing. Did you know that handspun cotton was spun in India 5,000 years ago? That the earliest archaeological evidence of cotton is from 7,000 years ago in the Valley of Tehuacan in Mexico? That more millions of miles of cotton have been handspun than from any other natural fiber? That’s the kind of stuff I tell kids … along with silly stuff (about bugs used for dye) and legends (about different fibers and tools used for spinning).
I’m entering these photos in theMonochrome Weekly Theme. Stop over at Aileni’s blog and take a look around, if you enjoy black and white photographs. Most of them are tons better than mine.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
No weevils in there. Nice bowl.
Aileni´s last blog ..Waiting for me…
I am laughing … its very very fun
Daryl´s last blog ..monochrome monday
I love this picture it’s so artistic.
Feel free to visit.
sheress´s last blog ..
Great picture. Do tell the children what picking those things does to your fingers until they’ve been shredded so often that the calluses can no longer feel. Picking cotton is not one of the world’s great occupations.
Lovely! My daughter scored some raw cotton from the zoo this past weekend. She has been totally entranced by it. Now she wants to grow it in the backyard, not sure I’m ready for that.
Calico Crazy´s last blog ..Monochrome Monday #8
You are welcome!!!(-: I am glad to help out (-:
I love how the cotton looks. Kids have no idea how that stuff really grows(-: Well unless you are a cotton farmer. When my daughter was in high school she took some cotton bolls to share with her class. They were all amazed at what it really looked like. Cool stuff!!!
Your display looks wonderful too!! Kinda Halloweenie(-:
Oh I forgot to tell you my daughter saw another ghost in her room the other night! A tall man. (-:
cindee´s last blog ..A Full Moon Sunset
These are wonderful shots!! Monochrome was the perfect choice and I love your hands with the bolls. Perfect! Isn’t Carmine still made with bugs?
Thorne´s last blog ..Black and White Witchcraft