080221 — Blog — Rulerless

Incompatible elements

I don’t like to call anyone out in my work, so trust me that this is not a story about a particular person, but a composite individual.

She is a gifted artist who created beautiful illustrations. This artist doesn’t want to sell her originals, only her prints. And she only wants to create work that features characters she’s created. She doesn’t want to do commissions and she doesn’t want to sell her work at festivals and farmer’s markets. She doesn’t want to be on social media, and she doesn’t want to do any networking in real life.

Casey von NeumannJuly 2, 2021072821, 080221, 081721, 102722Comment

No one has thought of it

I recently made my first pair of thrummed mittens.

Thrums are bits of unspun wool that are knitted into a garment to provide extra insulation in the form of a nice fluffy lining. It is unclear where this technique first developed — most sources point to the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, known over the centuries for its active fishing industry (and cold climate).

Casey von NeumannNovember 24, 2020011321, 080221, 091521Comment

Things aren't going to change

Once upon a time, I was trying to make the case to an eleven-year-old that she would need to learn basic skills like doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen, and blow-drying her own hair.

“When you’re eighteen, you’ll be on your own,” I said.

“Well then, can’t I just learn it all then?” she asked.

Casey von NeumannFebruary 3, 2020061920, change, 081220, 020921, 080221, 090621Comment

Make your own magic

Having spent over a decade teaching music lessons, I can say for certain:

Music lessons aren’t where you learn to play an instrument.

Sure, they help. But the real work is done without your teacher, by yourself, playing and evaluating.

If you are unable or unwilling to spend this time “in the woodshed,” you will not achieve your goal of playing an instrument, no matter how much time and money you spend on the lessons themselves.

Casey von NeumannJuly 10, 2019062520, 072320, 082620, 083120, 100120, 072021, 080221, 011022Comment

The scariest shortcut

While the other children around him settled into their lunchtime routine, one eleven-year-old stood agitated in front of the silent microwave. “Ah!” he yelled, and pressed buttons wildly. “Grrr!” He banged on the machine in frustration.

One of the teachers walked over and said gently, “We say, ‘Hey, could I have some help with this?’” She showed the student which buttons to press, and he was on his way.

That this student is unable to intuit how to use that particular microwave is no big deal; however, his inability to ask for help is a major problem. He’s not alone — this is something we see over and over again with children and adults.

Casey von NeumannJune 27, 2019062920, 091620, 040621, 070721, 080221Comment