Hey, it makes sense to me. For years I have done needlepoint during diocesan convention. In fact, I have been working on the same canvas at diocesan convention for fifteen years. (Well, see, it's a big, complex canvas, and I only work on it at diocesan convention. I need to work more, but in a house with multiple cats, well....)

My argument has long been that we have different learning styles, and that mine is more auditory than visual. So, the needlepoint keeps my eyes and hands busy while my brain tunes in my ears. Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

(Oh, and General Convention? There's enough activity for eyes and hands just turning pages in the big notebook that I don't need to bring my needlepoint.)

Marshall Scott

My husband just posited that she might be doing embroidery to have a place to focus her eyes and prevent others from trying to interpret her every twitch. . .

Susan Hedges

Marshall is quite right. (It's not my own learning style, but I fully accept that it may be his, and Bishop Katharine's.) I've known many people for whom needlepoint or knitting or crocheting is a way of helping them focus their minds on conversations, lectures, or meetings. What do people think the rosary is? I can hardly imagine that God is impressed, or our souls enriched, by the repeated recitation of a little prayer while "counting beads." But for many people it is a helpful way for fingers and mouth to "fiddle" while the mind enters more deeply into meditation. The "Jesus prayer" is similar in effect; and other religious traditions also have comparable ways of freeing the mind for contemplation. Those who snark about the Presiding Bishop's needlework during meetings are saying far more about themselves than they are about +Katharine.

At a meeting, especially a important meeting/interview I think it is IMPORTANT to show respect and remain fully focused and attentive to others by LISTENING quietly. Critical business ideas and ¨brain storming¨ may be happening...I of course would prefer to jump up and down, leap out of the window, bang my shoe on the table, blow my nose endlessly, bite my fingernails, remove myself to the toilet when someone I especially have lack of admiration for speaks (you know, like Iker did).

Diverting actions may be considered BAD manners, or simple acts of arrogance, ¨style¨ (even though they mostly can´t read my mind even when my hands are still they know I´m ¨full present¨ for them).

Form is important when receiving those who wish to have a two way discussion...you know, eye to eye (even if the person is blind)? Listening to inspirational music with a I-Pod in one ear, knitting with both hands and/or wiggling in ones seat MAY, just MAY, be distracting to others (even though it may be soothing, pleasing and reassuring, emotionally/spiritually stabalizing to the disrespectful and self-centered)...afterall, meeting with others isn´t always ALL ABOUT ME! Is it?

Bad form.