'WHEN I AM AN OLD LADY..."

I have a story to tell you, but first I have a story to tell you.

Yesterday, "A-Channel," our local TV station, came and did their "A" Morning show all about the store! I didn't get there until about 7:30 a.m. or so, and they were in full swing by then. Here's the two fellows interviewing and filming Stephanie spinning:

They also followed Mahsheed, our felting instructor, while she finished a wet-felting project from beginning to end; interviewed Ryan about his rope-making techniques; and 'panned' us gals in the corner drop-spindling and knitting. It was very cool!

But the story I have to tell you is this.

When Michael and I first met, 31+ years ago, we had a date one night but I'd gotten a bad cold so I cancelled. That evening there was a knock on my door, and there was Michael ... with a lovely potted plant for me. Now, at the time I had no use for potted plants -- they just seemed like a lot of bother. But there at my door was this sweet man with a gift for me .... should I be honest and tell him I don't really like plants? Or should I be grateful for the gift, thank him sincerely ... and learn to like plants?

Well, you can guess...


Now stay with me here. Last fall, I blogged about how much I love crocs. A few days later, a bag appeared on my front porch -- with a brand new pair of bright red crocs in them.

I've never worn red in my life. And I never imagined that I ever would. But these crocs were a gift, and as I found out later in the week, a gift from someone I would never have expected to give me a gift. And as I was looking at them, I thought of that poem, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple..."

I have no trouble wearing purple. But red? So at that very moment I decided that I would be grateful for the gift, thank the giver sincerely -- and learn to love red.

I'm not yet an old lady ... but wearing red shoes, with wild red socks, seems like a huge stretch for me -- like something only a crazy old lady who doesn't care what people think of her would do -- so it's been a challenge just thinking about it!

But today is the day I've chosen to publicly honor the gift ...

I'm stepping out! :)