More and more volunteers continue to visit the field. Bolls are opening by the day. In addition to weeding, we’ve begun harvesting the cotton. In the studio, we are preparing for the quickly approaching Picking Party (and field work day). Look for details soon.

I took a trip out last weekend with my daughter Maggie, my friends the Champagnes and their four kids. In just a couple of hours of laughing, talking, and picking we had a pile that amounted to almost 70 pounds and the funny thing was… it was FUN. As I wrote in an earlier post, it is fun for those of us who know we can leave in a few hours, sit down for breaks as we feel like it, and laugh with our kids while working.  There have been times in this county when “cotton work” was very different and we wanted our children to know and understand that. So, the few hours were filled with looking for bugs, talk of seeds and pods, and the life of farming. The kids were amazed to see how much cotton comes from each little boll. Our eight year old friend Joe kept saying, “Look how much was on this one!” and holding up his harvest proudly.

xoNatalie

Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 11:59 AM
Subject: Saturday Morning Cotton Angels…

Yesterday evening I noticed a new pile of pulled weeds at the cotton field.  Hmmm.  Are their cotton fairies?  I left the cotton field yesterday afternoon at 1:30 and returned at 6:00.  Someone had been there working very hard while I was away.  This morning the newest of the cotton angels returned to the field to work some more!!!!!  They came and worked yesterday and they came back this morning to work some more!!  I never dreamed I would be able to say that.  I have attached their photo; they are sweet, intelligent young people who believe in making the world a healthier place for us all.  They had their two little doggies with them and they were so precious.  You just can’t imagine how it fills my heart to know that there are so many wonderful young people in this world.  It is an honor and a privilege to meet them.  They were still working in the rain when I left.  Yes, they were working in the cotton field in the rain. They will be in Florence for your workshop today and will give you their names and mailing info.  Have a good day.  Wish for sunshine.

Saturday, September 22, 2012 3:34 PM
Subject: A Cotton Angel Returned today with a new Cotton Angel from Brooklyn New York!

Hello from the Cotton Field.  I wish you could see the beautiful white cotton and the clear blue autumn sky here.  The weather has gotten much better but my energy has gotten much weaker. Just wanted to let Natalie know that these young ladies came today and took some photos of the cotton and were very, very sweet.  I have a confession to make.  I cut down a couple of cotton plants. Yes, I did it. Those girls were so sweet and I wanted them to have a plant to take with them. They were so interested and so compassionate about the plants and the life of the little field, I just couldn’t resist sending some cotton plants with them.  It is unreal to me what a treasure and a pleasure it has been to meet all these folks.  Today when I took the hand of someone from Brooklyn, New York, I almost cried.  Of all the places in the world, Brooklyn is a place I’ve heard about all my life and there is a story about my Uncle Levi who is buried there that tugs at my heart. So once again my heart is overflowing.  Hugs to each of you at Alabama Chanin.

Love Always,
Lisa

Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 3:26 PM

Hi Erin,

We had two trash cans of cotton to empty and bring to the house last night thanks to Natalie and her friends.  I tied it up in two sheets and we almost couldn’t get it into the jeep!  I will not worry about a torrential rain now that we have some cotton for Natalie to have spun.  It is so pretty and the field is just loaded with bolls.  I am so glad that Natalie was able to see it all.  We have been down there today cleaning up.  Jimmy is snoring with Eli right now.  I will keep you posted.

Love always,
Lisa