Yesterday I was blessed, not just by the Sabbath, which is a big weekly blessing, but also with a visit from a dear friend. Is it strange to call someone a dear friend if you've never met before? Until yesterday, Sue and I have only been friends online, first through Ravelry, then via emails and blog comments. But like penpals of old, a friendship was formed across the miles. When we became friends IRL (in real life), as with all other IRL friends I've met through blogging (like Tammy, Tina, Sara, Deb, Sharon, Laura, Shelly, Denise, Shannon, Karla and more), the connection was instant, the conversation easy, and the things we have in common – beyond the obvious that first brought us together – many.
Sue contacted me late last year about fine Shetland fleeces, reserved Sarai's fleece, and then asked about getting her neck wool, too. When she learned that I don't usually save the trashy neck wool because of time and space, she asked if she could have it for the cost of shipping. I told her she could have ALL the neck wool if she cared to clean it!
Sue had hoped to come for shearing, but that didn't work out. Then she learned she would be in Eugene in June for a family function, and a visit to Boulderneigh was planned – for yesterday. I just wish it could have been for longer than an afternoon and evening. I think the dogs wished so, too; they instantly took to her. I should have gotten a photo of Dozer inviting his chunky self into her lap; or her helping me lead horses out to pasture; or her meeting any one of the sheep (we pet all but Annabelle); or her looking through her many bags (13!) of fleece. Even better would have been a photo of both of us wrestling all that fleece into one box and getting it taped securely closed, so it didn't explode in her sister's car during the trip home to California! Sadly, there are no photos of Sue or the two of us to commemorate the occasion. I guess that means we'll have to get together again – right, Sue?
Just writing about Sue's visit is making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside; the relational equivalent of the fiber that first drew us together. Fiber and friends . . . fiber friends . . . how my life has been blessed by the combination! If only so many of my friends didn't live so far away. Move north, Sue; move north! (And move west, Beth; move west! :-)
Still smiling at . . .
11 comments:
Isn't it wonderful to meet folks finally IRL!
While a short afternoon, it sounds like a perfect one.
Seems like about time for another vet conference :-D.
Gosh, I'm so glad you had such a good visit... the bloggers I have met IRL were all as wonderful as they seemed online!
I had one of those treasured visits this year, too. It is so wonderful to meet IRL!
It was, Theresa! Now, when can YOU come up? ;-)
Wouldn't it be loverly? How far are you from Nashville? Rick's annual horse vet conference (AAEP) is there this year, Dec. 7-11.
I know; it really is remarkable, isn't it? You're on my list of "some day, if at ALL possible"!
Susan, what fun you and Melanie and I would have together! I've never been to New York; another "some day, if at ALL possible"!
Sounds like the perfect day Michelle. I had a fiber friend over to go through the rooed fleeces on Sunday morning. Tami Mulder and I played in soft Shetland fiber for about 3 hrs. It was heavenly.
Oh my, I laughed when I read about Sue wanting the neck wool. I almost weep when I see The Shepherd toss it into the trash bag, but, unlike Sue, I am not willing to spend the time to clean it. But it always seems to be the softest finest part of the fleece. :-)
I too, am glad for the blogger friends that I have met IRL - and sorry that we won't get to see you next week. T.
Well, I haven't cleaned the neck wool yet! Got home today, and the (bulging) box of wool hit the ground with a very solid THUD. Thank you, Michelle for this post! I, too, felt like I was just getting together with an old and treasured friend. I had a GREAT time visiting with you and meeting all at Boulderneigh, from youngest chicken to MIL. I was so struck by how sweet and intelligent your boy is. These don't always go together. I think Brian will just get better and better as he grows up. (With perhaps a few detours during his teen years!) I can't say enough about how magical it was to actually see all the people and animals I've come to know from the blog. (A bulldog in my lap? And how is this different from a pair of Corgis in the same place? Hair! Dozer left no bushels of Corgi hair!)
I can only encourage other online friends to visit Boulderneigh. (She envisions tour busses stopping in front of the house, with tourists pouring out, eager to sniff fresh wool.) Though, fair warning, we did talk LATE into the night! But I had a lovely evening to reflect on as I drove around, somewhere Northeast of Amity, looking for a familiar road. And there was that small, circular detour in Salem (the sidewalks are rolled up at midnight) looking for I-5. But I now feel like I know the neighborhood intimately. I'll be back!
With much thanks and big hugs,
Sue, future scourer of a lot of neck wool.
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