Returning to the Land of Ponchos

I am in the early stages of planning a return to the Land of Ponchos.  The pattern is picked, the yarn selection is being fondle, and the needle size considered.  Only this time I am taking a small posse of knitters with me.  Cue the theme song from the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Memorial for a Friend

Today I lost one of my oldest friends to cancer.  I met Don when we were 14 and 15 at a speech meet in Belle MO.  We were competing against each other in poetry reading.  Immediately, he introduced himself and asked who I was.  Don had beautiful blue eyes and the warmest smile.  He didn't care that we were competing against each other or that I was from a different school he just cared that I was a new person to know.

 That's just how Don was, he loved meeting new people.  He always wanted to include everyone in everything, no exceptions.  His generosity of spirit believed every person was a new friend.  I never knew him to exclude anyone.  We dated on and off in high school, but truly we were always more friends than a couple.  After high school I ran into Don at a gay bar, which made us both so happy to reconnect.  We stayed in contact over the years even ending up in the same city.  Seeing him was a treat and he always welcomed me with the love of an oldest and dearest of friends.  Again that was how Don was, all of us were old friends he was overjoyed to see.

Today the cancer he has been fighting for the last 2 years finally won the battle.  His baby sister broke the news on Facebook.  We all knew it was coming, but still we all cried as our hearts were breaking.  A world without him in it seems less.  All I can do is cry and remember that warm smile including me in his inner circle of friends.  An inner circle which is legions of friends all heartbroken by his passing.  We will miss you my friend.

Love Jamie

Knitiversary

Today is my 10 year anniversary!  10 years ago I crossed the stockinette bridge to a land of yarnovers, purl bumps, ufos, dpns, and yards and yards of yarn.  I love being a knitter and will schlep my project bags anywhere I go.  The joy of a new pattern or freshly caked skein of yarn thrills me as much as a chocolate cupcake (most days).  I love talking about my projects and bragging about mastering a new technique.  But you know what I love most about entering the clan of knitting?  All the amazing knitters I have encountered along the way.  They are legion and I thank them for knitting me into their community.  Sending out the knitting love.

51 & Holding

Today I turned 51.  It has not been a great year.  With all the bad politics & conservatives trying to turn back the clock and take away equality, it has been rough for this liberal lesbian.  The thing that is getting me through is my beautiful wife. Today for my birthday (51) & our 6 year anniversary she just let me run her day.  We didn't do anything special, but be together.  Sometimes that just makes all the bad stuff seem less.  I am a lucky lady.