Hope You Had a Happy Thanksgiving - and Happy Hanukkah - It's All About Giving Thanks!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE

In concept, Thanksgiving Day has always had significant meaning for me as a person - and though I have always enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinners or Get-togethers, it is more rooted in the meaning of it - I guess you would say that I believe in Giving Thanks.

I guess you would say that is one of the reasons I crocheted the above Cornucopia - a traditional pictorial depiction of what we are Thankful for at Thanksgiving - though when I conceptualize "Giving Thanks" - it is for much more than the "Plenty" shown in a Cornucopia.

This year, in 2013, for those of the Jewish Faith - it is an unusual convergence that another Holiday of Giving Thanks occurs on Thanksgiving:  Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights!

Hanukkah is another Holiday that has always had significant meaning for me - because it is a celebration of Thanks for the Re-dedication of the Jewish High Temple in Jerusalem in Judea in the Jewish tradition -- after Syrian leaders had outlawed Judaism, denying Jews the right to observe their own religion - and introducing pagan practices in the Jewish High Temple - then with traditional Jews winning back their rights to practice Judaism -- making Hanukkah actually about having Religious Freedom!

So - for some of us, there is a lot of similarity in the "Giving of Thanks" on these two Holidays, as discussed in this online article !

One of the most traditional Hanukkah songs - and also one of my favorite ones is the song "Maoz Tzur" (in Hebrew) or "Rock of Ages" (in English).  I have sung it in both, having been singing and praying in Hebrew and English since a child.

But I just love the meaning of the song!!

Below are the lyrics of "Rock of Ages" that I have (3 stanzas) in English - and below that a You Tube Video  by jwipe - singing the song clearly, so you can hear how it is sung!!

And - OH!  What do you have to give Thanks for?  And how will you do it?  In Judaism - some of us Give Thanks by doing "Tikkun Olam" (in Hebrew) - or "Repair of the World".  As discussed in this article, I will be putting in some time during Hanukkah crocheting a Blanket to be donated through Project Linus to needy children - a small way I can help out in the world is to donate Handmade for other's needs or joy.

Now -- Enjoy!!

MAOZ TZUR - ROCK OF AGES

Rock of ages, let our song

Praise Your saving power;

You, amid the raging foes,

Were our sheltering tower.

Furious, they assailed us,

But Your arm availed us,

And Your word

Broke their sword,

When our own strength failed us.

Kindling new the holy lamps

Priests approved in suffering,

Purified the nation's shrines,

Brought to God their offering

And His courts surrounding

Hear, in joy, abounding

Happy throngs

Singing songs

With a mighty sounding.

Children of the Maccabees,

Whether free or fettered,

Wake the echoes of the songs,

Where you may be scattered.

Yours the message cheering,

That the time is nearing,

Which will see

All men free,

Tyrants disappearing.

Buffy Sainte-Maire Singing One of My All-Time Favorite Folk Songs!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY







One of my favorite Folk songs of all times -- heard it originally back in the early 1970's.

Thank You, Buffy Sainte-Marie for writing and singing such a poignant, to the point - and beautiful - song: "Universal Soldier"!!

It was very important and significant and personal to me back then -- I had friends in the Vietnam War draft, threatened with having to go fight - something they did not believe in! Some friends of mine, when they finished college, put in time as conscientious objectors rather than bear arms.

My own Father, when he served in the Armed Services, served in the Army Red Cross rather than bear arms. He still served our great country and its goals of its many freedoms, but did not fight.

Still important now.

Thank You, Eco-Interactive Voices, for having it on your website!!

Patriotic AMERICANA Themes In My Designs

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers


I truly am Patriotic.

The Freedoms and Rights provided us in the United States of America by the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and our Constitution are so valuable to me as a person -- well words are not enough to express it, but I can in My Designs In Fiber!!

It does, I admit, have a lot to do with my family's history going back generations -- more generations than I know of, I am sure. The generations that I have known in my life have had a lot to celebrate in being able to emigrate to the United States of America. The discrimination earlier generations suffered -- both religious and "class", I am afraid -- was all too real and did cause real suffering in my family, but I will leave it at that generally and not go into details.

Various members of my immediate and extended family have not only made good use of the Freedoms and Rights in the United States of America, but once established here, they extended offers of help to others in need. This, again, as in other blog posts I have written will be left at: "Those who know, know!"

So, over more recent years, since I have been creating in my crafts, I have expressed my Patriotic feelings by creating Designs In Fiber in AMERICANA themes.

Most recently, this year, I designed the Basket and Coaster in this image. They will be available in different places on the Internet this year:

(Noted Added July 23, 2010: The Bowl pictured below is availabe as part of a Set of Bowls for Sale as Fundraising for Design Style Guide at http://www.zibbet.com/designstyleguide/artwork?artworkId=74248 !!
The Set of Coasters in this picture are available in my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/listing/48303608/thread-crochet-coaster-americana-star !!)





One year not too long ago, I decided to design a Thread Crochet Doily in a "Star Spangled Banner" theme - as it was to be used for Home Decor, I made it round, with White Stars in a Field of Blue with Red and White Stripes around that:




Also, one year not too long ago, I decided to make an Image in Fiber representing what I considered a typical AMERICANA theme: A Flag Bearer on a Horse, as you would see in any Patriotic celebration:




And, ah-h-h, one of my favorite AMERICANA themes - the Majestic Eagle -- not only a symbol for this country, but, as wildlife, an environmental one!!



The last three items pictured have been long gone -- but I can always do my best to reproduce any of them by Special Request.

I do still have a few AMERICANA themed items in my Etsy shop, if any are interested. By the way, the lacey basket in shaded blues and whites would obviously be considered Vintage Style AMERICANA!

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread


I EXERCISED MY RIGHT TO VOTE TODAY!!


Ruth