Shoji

Yesterday after church we had a quiet day at home. I got a little sewing done; flowers on the bazaar quilt border, a few minutes on a feathered star, a little machine quilting on the Star of David quilt. Do you think I have concentration problems? When I think about it, I was even reading two books. One that was upstairs by the bed (that's my before I fall asleep book) and one that I was reading in the kitchen while I boiled spaghetti.

The only thing that might be the least bit interesting is that I got around to changing the paper (shoji) on our windows. (Not interesting to my Japanese friends). I suppose this really should have been done just before the new year but I didn't get around to it until yesterday (Call it American spring cleaning genes). Our one and only Japanese tatami mat room has paper window "shades" and most Japanese change these once a year. I used to pay our kids an allowance to do this for me once a year but since they're not around... Actually, for all you cat lovers, a Japanese room is not a good idea if you own cats. If the cat has an "accident" then it seeps into the tatami mats and there is no way to get the smell out. The paper windows too are great fun for the little paws to rake over and leave claw marks or for the very rambunctious, shred to smithereens!

I digress. Anyway, I had to have Tetsu's help in removing the paper frames and then easily tore off the paper. Gave the frames a quick wipe with a rag, and then we laid the new paper on the frame. This is where I cheat! Traditionally, you're supposed to first spread a thin layer of glue on the frame, then lay the paper, spray it lightly with water and then cut away the excess paper. But the modern world is wonderful and I use iron-on window paper! Just like fusible interfacing but paper! Ironed and cut off the excess paper and pop the whole frame back into the window until the cats get it again.