I've been contemplating how, at any given time, our best laid plans can be detoured, taking us on a different path. A direction can suddenly become scattered every which way, resulting in no direction at all. An event or person can impact and change your life forever. Similarly, the creation of "Threaded Pathways" consumed more than 800 hours of decision making. Once the pattern and color palette was established, the stitching of every bead and sequin, became increasingly challenging-I responded to the emerging design. Each stripe consumed approximately 858 beads, and each square 256 beads and sequins for the first layer-slightly less for the second. My impatience grew during the completion of each square, but simultaneously the stitching created a rhythm that provided guidance and comfort. Time slowed down as a sense of control grew. This process of intensive work conveyed that sometimes we have no control at all of what life throws at us, but we just need to be aware of what is presented.