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Sanae Ishida

A crafty little atelier in a grey city

Happy Friday + Randomness

March 10, 2017

donkey1

Happy Friday! The other day K looked at me and said, “I don’t know why, Mama, but I think your spirit animal is a donkey.” At first, I was thrown off because Eeyore came immediately to mind.

Later, I did a little research and I think I’m in love with donkeys. Did you know that contrary to common perception, donkeys are extremely intelligent? And that they’re not easily startled and are super strong? They have a well-developed sense of self-preservation (which accounts for their stubbornness) and are incredibly curious creatures. After examining quite a few photos and sketching a couple of donkeys, I now know that they’re adorable. Maybe not as glamorous as horses, but quite beautiful in their own way.

 

donkey2

I marveled at K’s wisdom. I’ve spent a lifetime trying to be a horse and battling a nagging (ha) sense of unease about it. All this time, I was actually a donkey, an animal that I had discounted as somehow lesser. Which of course, it’s not. I feel like there’s a life lesson in there somewhere.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! I’m embarking on making another pair of jeans tonight — I’m so excited!!!!

Alas, I’m a lass
granted a spiritual ass
hee haw hee haw hee

 

Filed in: black and white, illustration, watercolor • by sanae • 22 Comments

Comments

  1. Lucy

    March 10, 2017 at 8:50 am

    Aww, that’s lovely. Donkeys are my favourites, they always seem so calm and dependable!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:19 am

      M tells me I’m calm and dependable all the time! The more I learn about donkeys, the more I’m convinced that K hit it on the nail :-).

      Reply
  2. SewingTidbits

    March 10, 2017 at 10:02 am

    When you travel by road in Haiti, you know it’s market day if there is a full “donkey parking lot” at the entrance of a town. It’s the cutest thing!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:20 am

      Oh, that’s awesome Delphine. I love that visual!

      Reply
  3. Raquel

    March 10, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Awww! So sweet! I love driving around here in NE Tennessee and admire all the donkeys!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:21 am

      I didn’t know there were so many donkeys around in NE Tennessee! I haven’t seen any in Washington yet, but they must be around…

      Reply
  4. Tracy King

    March 10, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Super post!!! I happen to be good friends with two donkeys who protect my friends herd. They are very smart and one always gets upset if I spend too much time talking to and petting the other. It’s very cute and funny 🙂 Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Wonderful, Tracy! Donkeys seem like they would make excellent friends :-).

      Reply
  5. greta

    March 11, 2017 at 5:30 am

    The haiku is really great!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Haha, thanks Greta! Some fun wordplay there ;-).

      Reply
  6. Kristi Andres

    March 11, 2017 at 8:04 am

    That is great! My MIL has three miniature donkey and they are so cute! One thing I love about donkeys is that they carried Jesus into town on Palm Sunday and what is cool is that they have a cross on their neck and upper back if you look at them from the top. So cool!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:24 am

      I wasn’t aware of the spiritual ties until you commented about it, Kristi! Donkeys are also considered humble and are often political symbols too – donkeys are everywhere!

      Reply
  7. Rhoda

    March 11, 2017 at 2:15 pm

    Great haiku

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:25 am

      🙂 thank you, Rhoda! I love making up haikus!

      Reply
  8. Lightning McStitch

    March 11, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    That haiku is brilliant!
    At least you were only demoted from horse to donkey 😁 imagine if you’d fancied yourself as a unicorn!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:27 am

      So true…or maybe my spirit animal is the little known unicorn/donkey hybrid — a donkicorn!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Max

    March 12, 2017 at 9:41 am

    Very wise of you. I love your donkey sketches. I wonder what my spirit animal is? My daughter asked if I identified with the tortoise or the hare. I said that it seems cooler to be the tortoise, but unfortunately I may just be more the hare type. I start many things and finish very few. I brag a lot about my greatness, but I lack the knockout punch. Upon which my husband exclaimed that, yes, indeed I may be right! About like the time I said that I thought I was more like Professor Snape and my husband agreed too. …

    I admire donkeys very much!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 13, 2017 at 10:30 am

      I’ve been known to start many a project and abandon them quickly too, Max! I suspect that it takes someone far more in tune with the magical world (like kids) to properly identify spirit animals ;-).

      Reply
  10. Annelieke

    March 13, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    She is brilliant, your daughter:) I love this post so much! Haiku too. What pleasure to visit you on line tonight!
    Humble is good. I think I’m an owl. A small barn owl.

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 15, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      Thank you, Annelieke! I think she’s brilliant too 🙂 I can totally see you as a wise owl!! xo

      Reply
  11. Sheila

    March 14, 2017 at 6:33 am

    I love K’s bright observations- it’s obvious she’s inherited her mama’s keen eye and sense of humor. My spirit animal is definitely a donkey, too, as my husband will surely tell you! I’m never sure if it’s meant as a compliment or not, but secretly I feel proud of my slow, steady, and (ahem) stubborn nature.
    I’ve been searching my email for your contact but have somehow lost your address- I wanted to tell you thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! for your wonderful and inspiring book. I feel like such a lucky girl to have received this beautiful gift in the mail. Your talent blows me away, and I’m excited to make the projects as soon as I get the chance. I love that you’ve envisioned a book that is so accessible and undaunting for beginning sewers like me. And of course your personal story is the best part- I absolutely adore your down to earth approach to conquering obstacles that stand in the way of your dreams and happiness. Feeling grateful for all that you do, for your generous heart and indomitable spirit, Sanae. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • sanae

      March 15, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      Oh, I’m so glad it reached you Sheila!! I was so pleased to discover that you were one of the giveaway winners. Hope all is well, and thank you so much for your sweet words!!

      Reply

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