Next Best Thing to a Fiber Festival
This whole knit-blogging thing never ceases to amaze me. You know how it is, you find someone who should be a complete stranger, but who somehow seems more familiar than people you’ve known for years? Yeah, knitting and fiber are powerful unifiers.
Not long ago, I set up a spinning playdate with just such a blogger, having discovered that we lived not even an hour from each other. So, on Saturday I securely belted my trusty wheel into the back seat of Wesley (my trusty Saturn Ion) and found myself, not even 50 minutes later, standing on Enchanting Juno’s doorstep.
It was one of those perfect days. Just beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky — not too hot, not too cold. A short road trip. My car loaded with fibery goodness. I was having on of those “Yes, life is wonderful!” moments. I arrived at around 1:30 and after a little spinning and some chit chat, I got the wool tour. Folks, it was a sight to behold, truly inspiring. I met her most favored Fleece. I had an in-depth yarn-by-yarn analysis of her stash. I got to fondle more rovings than I think I fondled at Rhinebeck last year. I took notes (damn that girl is knowledgable). And in the midst of all of it, got to know a really remarkable person a little bit better. Juno is truly one of those people that makes you feel better about the world, like maybe everything isn’t going to just fall apart. I think it was nearly ten o’clock by the time I left and I really had to make myself leave, because I could have just sat and talked with her until, you know, forever.
For quite some time now, I have been contemplating what a profoundly positive impact blogging has had on me, and from all accounts, countless others as well. I have learned and discovered more than I can tell you over the past year and a half thanks to the willingness of others to give of themselves, share their experiences, provide some new perspective and offer their thoughts on everything from a favorite tea or new spinning technique to how I can better deal with difficult relationships or overcome an emotional hurdle. In short, bloggers make the world a better place.
March 13th, 2006 at 9:23 am
Yep, they do. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. And I guess you got some answers to your ‘where do I buy good fibre from’ question. Or did you also leave with some fibre stuffed into your pockets?
Tigger asked me something about who someone was on my e-mail list. I told her I didn’t know and she said ‘You mean you write to STRANGERS?!’. I had to explain how some of those strangers then became friends and how I decided it was okay to meet some of them (and leave her in hotel rooms over night with them). What a complicated explanation. Fortunately she has recently read Sarah Plain and Tall in which Sarah comes out to live with the family after only writing and marries the father. This internet thing isn’t as new fangled as we think.
March 13th, 2006 at 10:46 am
ExACTly. Come back anytime. Tomorrow, if you want.
Yesterday I was all, thank whatever-I-believe-in that there are such people in the world.
When I think about how my world has changed in two years - becasue of the internet - it absolutely staggers me.
March 13th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
You got to hang out with Juno and Juno got to hang out with you? Oh, I am so envious I could SPIT, girlfriend. I’m so glad you had such fun without me. No, really.
March 13th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
JoVE, I think we’ve all sort of struggled to explain this internet thing to everyone, including ourselves. In so many ways it does seem like this completely new thing, and it is. But like Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
Juno, we will definitely have to make a habit of such lovely gatherings
And Franklin, what can I say? Our afternoon could only have only been better if you were there
When are you going to come out to Philly anyway?
March 13th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Well. If Juno likes you, you must be good people. I’m really glad you had fun together.
(Jealous and vaguely angry….but glad you had fun.)
March 14th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Speaking of fiber festivals… Maryland Sheep and Wool is coming. FYI, Rosie’s Yarn Cellar (http://www.rosiesyarncellar.com/index.htm) hosts a bus trip to said fiber fiesta. Just thought you might be interested.
-Chelle