Good Friends

Justice and Liberty 

many years ago.

They are sleeping on the stair landing 

with their noses at the edge.

They were great friends.

When Libbey passed, we got

Eisenhower (Howie) and 

Justice tolerated him but never really 

loved him the way she did Libbey.

Perhaps she just couldn't bear the replacement.

People friends are like that also.

There are many folks we get along with

 and enjoy but if we're lucky we connect more deeply

with a few special friends.

If someone had told me 10 years ago

 I would have such deep blog friendships,

 I may have been skeptical.

I have several life long friends, 

a few multi-decades long friends,

and several gals I have never met but we've

been through the trenches together.

I was lucky to meet a blog friend Chania 

years ago and we spent a day together here in lala.

My pal Carole and I have spent weeks

 where we talked every single day, 

yet have never met face to face.

We know all "the good stuff" about each other.

(they both use IG now)

Friends, even good ones, can leave your world

for various reasons. Misunderstandings, betrayals,

distance, life changes can all disrupt. Since becoming ill

I've had a few just ghost out of my life, which hurt

but I guess I get it, well maybe I do?

Then and again a very kind soul

unexpectedly wanders in.

 In my case Colleen was not a stranger,

we've followed each other for years

 and exchanged comments and emails.

She had recently asked me a question and I said here's my

number just call me- it's faster.

We made a date for the call last week,

and three hours later I was sharing

my life with the dearest soul.

We took to each other like ducks to water.

I had no idea three hours had passed,

but then that's how it is when 

you make a heart to heart connection.

Shortly after the call 

Colleen showed me such a kindness

that I was weeping all over my keyboard.

I felt the world was a little kinder as

it's been beating me up lately.

I will do anything to help make 

her current dreams come true.

She is planning to do classes 

using her wool artistry up in Canada and 

perhaps in the US.

She was curious about my Gatherings 

where I used to teach and hope to do again someday.

Without a seconds hesitation,

I said use my house for a retreat!

My location and accommodations are perfect

for something like that since folks come here anyway.

Lord do they come here!!!!!

She is currently going to put out feelers

to see what kind of response she gets locally and 

in the states.

She lives up near Vancouver so that too is ideal.

If you love wool and want to learn some great

techniques and projects 

then lets do it.

Excellent teacher, great food, perfect location.

You can walk 2 blocks to PB, Williams Sonoma and 

Anthropologie and 12 restaurants from my front door. 

Well, and then, there is VEGAS.

So let me or Colleen know if 

you're interested in Vancouver or here, or 

maybe she could teach near you? 

CA would be nice? hehe. What wool 

projects would you enjoy?

I have one more favor.

As I was thinking about this post I remembered,

so many dozens of gals who did white wednesday, 

and other themed posting groups

and were here at blogspot near the beginning. 

Oh, how we used to comment and check in often.

I knew your kids names and your pets

and hopefully encouraged your dreams as you did for me. 

Now most gals do IG, or FB.

I get it, it's fast, but oh I miss hearing from you,

and following your days.

So here's the favor-

Please leave me a hello here, 

let me know you're still out there,

or let me know you, if you've never commented.

A simple "hey, it's me Mary", or a HI, 

and give me your IG, so I 

can find you again, or meet you.

If you don't blog, just email me.
My email is in my profile.

I hope to hear from you.

there are posts where thousands visit 

but 99% are invisible to me.

Please, please just say Hi.

I would be so grateful.

Z

oh lord the wrinkles!

Prognosis is good for Mr Monkey

During the Christmas Holiday,

Howie was gifted Mr Monkey

 by my soon to be Daughter In Law.

Shortly after, he was viciously attacked by 

Tubbs, my grand-dog and the stuffing was ripped 

out of his poor little head, leaving a gaping hole.

Mr Monkey was put up out of the way to prevent

more injury and sadly he was forgotten... by me.

Last week I noticed him up in the studio 

oh, so patiently waiting for help and healing.

It was a touch and go surgery and a 

plastic surgeon should have been called in,

because although his brains are back inside,

I'm afraid his nose and eyebrow took the worst of it. 

I carried Mr Monkey downstairs with

 Howie leaping and twirling the entire time.

I no sooner sat on the couch when Howie grabbed him

in what can only be described as an embrace,

 and then proceeded to bathe him and sniff him

stem to stern.

We love who we love

Cold Wet Days and Tomato Pie

Very simple ingredients and 1 2 3

Rustic Tomato Pie

Comfort food for the cold and very rainy days

we've been having.

The family is still reveling in the 

engagement news and I even allowed myself

some solitary wine with my pie.

Had several heart tests this week and

next week I begin wearing a monitor. 

Fun times - no answers

No need to comment on the insanity 

and wretchedness going on in the world.

We're all in it.

I Resist and hold tight to Hope.

That's it- It was January - nuff said