OCTOBER 2005

Natural disasters loom large, especially in a place where an avalanche looms. I make a mental list of what I would carry out, if suddenly I had to evacuate: I think of my little handcarved linen shuttle.

It's not large, and I didn't know how much I would come to appreciate the care that went in to its making: its slight arch that keeps it traveling light through taut linen sheds. A pair of them came with my last acquired Swedish design, immigrant-built loom.

Those, and an old reed made of linen corded cattail reeds, held in place by aged, dark spruce gum. I love these, and my food processor...How much can I fit in the boat?