A Loss

Everything affects me. As an artist and crafter I can not help but to feel deeply over everything that happens around me or to me. Such was the case today when I opened our weekly newspaper, The Port Townsend Leader and saw the obituary for a friend. I was stunned. Saddened. Unable to really work today because of the depth of my sadness, my sense of loss. There are words of comfort we offer each other, there are heartfelt meaningful things we say when someone experiences a loss but nothing comforts me, nothing helps me face the void that this person leaving forever has made me feel.

Kathreen was a delightful ball of energy and warmth and caring. She dropped in and out of my life on a whim although she was very involved with her patients and career. She hugged me with gusto, joined in whatever we were doing at the moment she came by, made me richer for having had time with her and far wealthier for just knowing her.

I am at a loss to explain how a woman, so promising in her practice, so rich in personality, so loving to her friends is just gone. I can not find comfort anywhere or answers. This process of grief will take a bit but from this I have learned AGAIN, how short and sweet and precious life is. Way too short to hold grievances. Way too short to not love just being with someone. way too short to not enjoy the friendship offered by someone. I will miss her, can stop looking for her, waiting for her. I can feel blessed and honored to have known her, know that she is in God's graces but still the missing and sadness and grief moves through me for today and tomorrow and maybe even many more tomorrows. Rest in sweet peace my friend, Kathreen Gimbrere. You are loved.

Studio

The work on the beading table from yesterday's full work day in the studio. I feel rather accomplished. I had three sleeping dogs for friendship and the place all to myself!
Another view:

This is a photo of the inside of the studio looking backwards from my beading area to the door. It is organized believe it or not but in these days of being in the shop more; it suffers from " run and hit at it "; I dash in for a bit, work a bit and dash right back out. I never seem to have a pause to clean up between projects. I need a studio fairy!

10/10/10 10:10

IN two minutes it will be a magic hour and date - 10/10/10 10:10. Pretty cool if you are into numbers! I just love things like this!



A surprise when I walked outside one morning this past week; my beautiful purple flowers bloomed! All summer I looked at this plant with its straight, short green leaves and struggled to remember what it would look like later in the summer. Finally, in a burst of late summer energy, it became purple flowers!

Who could not love this face?

Just a Quick Hello

This week has flown by in a whirlwind of activity including one trip to Seattle, a studio day and many days in the shop. Isn't it amazing how fast time moves and seems to move as we get older? I have spent some lovely late evening hours knitting Christmas gifts and watching recorded television shows. I detest the hate and acrimony spewed by all the political commercials on the air so I speed by them and IGNORE them by recording shows. Where has our humanity towards each other gone in recent years? As our country spiraled deeper into recession and begins the agonizing climb up from the pits of economic trials; we seem to get meaner and meaner to each other at all levels. The very people we count on to set good examples for our country's citizens are some of the worst examples of meanness, cruelty and spiteful behavior. We need to expect more of each other and practice everyday kindness to everyone. That is my goal in these coming months and years. Oh, and I am going to continue to ignore the dreadful behavior emerging from our politicians and many of our religious leaders. Thinking with kindness on all of you!

At This Moment....

"You cannot say you've lost a friend. If a friendship is capable of ending, it is because it never existed."


I had been posting friendship quotes on my site from a Blogger application for awhile but since it comes with advertising embedded in it - I am posting quotes on friendship I find myself. Since my most recent experience with a local friend that still smolders and hurts and was unjust; I am posting this message. Reminding myself of it nearly daily. Growing, as a person, is a process that even now takes patience!

All Done!

Phil and Lois' excellent show adventure coming up!
I have finished the packing for the weekend's show in Lynnewood for the Northwest Bead Society. I am looking forward to selling a few beads ( please! ) and seeing fellow vendor friends and customers. I might even do a little shopping myself! Energies were weird today around me and although I remained happy and optimistic; for a few brief moments I had left the room to find trouble!

Began working on a drawing for a friend tonight. It is an angel surrounded by stars, the sun and a rainbow. I will post a picture when it is done. Tomorrow morning after some early unpleasant business, I get to do what I really like doing before leaving on any kind of a trip - pack up my bag with creative doings for the weekend! Sketchbook, colored pens and pencils, knitting, some embroidery and a good book. Wish me luck!

From The Sketchbook