Loss

Afriend died this week. He took his own life. Why?

Suicide is such an ugly act. It leaves a bewildered family and confused friends to mourn. Sadness is laced with many questions. How do you celebrate a life which left him so unsatisfied that he could only see a premature end? How do you commemorate an event which hurts so many people? Do we ignore the offense and concentrate on good times?

He was a part of my family's life for almost 50 years. At first meeting there was an instant recognition of kinship. There were good times and much laughter. Good golf with the guys. Great cookouts with kids in constant motion. Memorable Caribbean vacations from St Thomas to St Lucia to the Bahamas. There were unimaginable tears shared with the death of a daughter.

In short we shared all that life threw at us. Now this. Good or bad we never lost hope that we would go on - together. Shattered. Strange. Sorrowful. We are sorry that life became so unbearable. Our hearts ache for the grief and pain left for the family to deal with. We friends are left with a hole in the fabric of our history. Memories will be held close, and regrets about the loss of chances to make more will continue.

There are no answers to the questions. Only  "what ifs" and "if onlies."

So, we say a simple goodby. We were glad to know you. We hope you know that we cared.

Back to School

A sample of this year's fall/winter jumper. The plaid is a soft brushed cotton. It feels so good to touch. The bodice and ruffle are cotton prints. Yes, it's a lot of pink - not for the fainthearted princess! Maybe for the tree climbing tomboy who's not afraid to show her feminine face. So what do you think? Put a tee and leggings with it, and your Fancy Nancy is ready for school.

Soon to be listed on etsy. This is a very limited edition. You can always email me to reserve any size between 2T-6. Any questions? Email me..

Love Ya Still

After I posted yesterday, I kept thinking about my siblings. Dreaming about what I would do if I could have some time with them So here are my thoughts.

Older sister - I'd like to explore the Northwest with you. Visit the San Juan islands, dine along the Columbia River, indulge in the family love of books at Powells. Then sit and talk, read your poetry and fill my soul with your laughter.

Sister 2 - I want to share my morning cup of coffee with you on your porch with the cats where we will catch up on the past, the present and our future. Wonderfully warm chit-chat to start our day.

Brother - I'd like to share the soarings of the bald eagles that nest near your river. To sit in silence as we enjoy the amazements of nature all around us.

Youngest Brother - I want to introduce you to my dog, Butler. I know he would love you, and you would be properly in awe of him. We could sit outside and appreciate the frolicking of our dogs while discussing the foibles of mankind.

Simple wishes for time with family. I find great comfort in just having the dream.

Love Ya

I work in solitude. Some weeks the only person I connect with is the grocery clerk. Even my email is silent unless I need an insurance quote or an enhanced sexual experience. Being a bit of a recluse is not a bad thing, but like everything else in life needs to be experienced in moderation. Right now I need to break my routine aloneness with some family.

Throughout my life I've moved often. The result of leaving family and friends behind has left me leery of making new friends. Each move created pain - the wrenching ache of saying goodby to neighbors, club mates, friends who lunch. The price of embracing the new adventure of relocating is the death of the familiar, the comfortable, the warm hugs of friends. Don't get me wrong, I've loved being able to see so much of our world. I'm just saying that there is a price to pay. Now as I slow down, I realize how much I miss being near to my siblings. Seeing them every couple of years isn't enough.  Wuldn't it be nice to be able to grab a cup of coffee with my sister? Or share a bar-b-qued pork chop with a brother?

I have a crazy dram that as we advance into this later stage of life families could reunite, live in a compound, share a big back yard where if we wanted companionship we could grab our cup of coffee or tea and wander outside to chat with family. What a treat it would be to say good morning to the extraordinary people in my family. What a joy to see their smiles, hear their comments, feel their love at the start of my day.

Can you tell how much I miss them? Why aren't I better at keeping in touch? I miss them so much and frequently carry on a lively conversation with them in my mind, but I let weeks, months, years go by without being with them. I want to share in their lives but the habit of not communicating is difficult to break. I must do better.

 Or perhaps I fear the reality of close contact with my family cannot match the dream. I'd love to find out. On those rare times when we get to share time and space, I come away more in love with those who share my gene pool. So I'll continue to dream of closeness. I will anticipate the next visit. I will fill my solitude with family memories. Love ya!

Small Thoughts on a Summer Morning

This morning as I sat outside watching my dog, a cardinal came to visit. He conversed from a branch with a chip, chip before flying away to the next yard. Cardinals always remind me of my mother. Outside her kitchen window over the sink perched on the sill was a birdfeeder. As we washed dishes a variety of birds nibbled the grains and seeds. It was entertaining to watch them squabble and search out the choicest morsels as they practiced pinpoint landings. Often their behavior mirrored our actions inside. "Who's turn was it to wash the dishes? Why is she off tonight? Where is she, she's suppose to be drying?" I wonder what the birds were thinking on their side of the glass as  they observed our antics.

Speaking of morning moments, last week a hummingbird came to cavort in the sprinklers. A sight I've never seen before. I love these special happenings in nature. Although it was a one-time, probably, event, I hold it in my mind and revisit the memory often. Isn't nature wonderful? What joy and wonder is in our world.

Temperatures are hovering around the 100's here, so it is hard to think that autumn is close. In my sewing room I'm finished most of the summer special orders and turned toward fall and winter. Above is a wondeful, soft brushed plaid being made into a jumper. It makes me smile as I work - the pinks, the plaid, the touch. How lucky am I to be spending a Monday morning doing what I love!!

Little Loft Opening

Meet Amanda. She's wearing one of the new apron dresses that Annarella Girl has available for fall. Perfect for back to school. She can layer it with a tee and leggings for easy wear.

This is just one of the new color combinations I'm featuring for the fall/winter season. I'm rolling them out for the Grand Opening of Little Loft this Friday, August 3.
When: 5 pm
Where: 709 7th st, on the square in downtown Georgetown - upstairs at The Exchange
What: lots of fun with a balloon artist, clown, food and DISCOUNTS.
           ONE DAY ONLY - 20% discount on all Annarella Girl.

We're hoping for a big crowd, so help me spread the word. See you there.

soooo cute!

Grammy Camp Finale

Laast grammy camp of this summer. What better way to wrap it up than with chocolate cookies supreme!!

gathering supplies and equipment

mixing it up

aw, come on, can I have a little taste

spooning the dough on the cookie sheets

least favorite part of cooking

Daddy's special cookie - BIG

Ta-dum!!

A good day in the kitchen. The kids shared some to their dad's office, took some home and left a few for Grammy to enjoy