Every time I arrive at Gail’s I’m so relieved to give her a great big hug. We have to cherish our friendships and our girlfriends are a lifeline in many ways. She always meets me in the driveway and helps me carry my things into the little cottage next door that is always reserved for me. I have to have my quiet time in the evening to write. It’s as important to me as the air I breathe and my friends honor and respect that.
Gail’s three dogs come to greet me. Little Jake, the Shih Tzu, thinks he belongs to everyone so he’ll bark till you settle down on the couch. Then your lap was made for him and that’s where he will stay. Well, my legs, actually. My lap is always full of knitting. Bailey, the Yellow Lab, is a gentle old lady. She’ll come to greet me but after the newness wears off, she’s snoozing on the floor. The one who has a bit of tizzy is Tux…the Border Collie. He thinks you’ve come to steal the television or his ball or that you might just be there to pet HIS dogs. God forbid! However, if I sit quietly, talk to him gently, and don’t make immediate eye contact, it won’t be long and he’ll be nosing my hand for a pet.
When I finished putting things away in the cottage, I took my knitting over to the main house. Before I even got in the house, I could smell dinner cooking. Gail is such a good cook! She made a meatloaf with 3/4 beef and 1/4 venison. I couldn’t taste the venison at all. I usually don’t like it, but this was delicious! Along with baked potatoes and broccoli and iced tea, we had a meal to rival any restaurant.
Gail’s husband was off bowling, so we sat in the living room and knitted, happily chatting and catching up with each other’s lives. Gail and I text every day, several times a day most days. And we talk on the phone or FaceTime frequently. You would think there isn’t a thing to catch up on, but there always is. I have a new pattern for a felted wool hat. I showed it to Gail and asked her what yarn I should use and she said, “Hang on a sec.” She went to her stash and came back with two balls of wool that she spun and plied herself. It is plied with a dusky blue and medium brown twist and it’s perfect for the project. AND, it’s extra special because my bestie made it. It’s leftover from a sweater she knitted. She spun too much and she won’t be using it for anything else. So…it’s MINE! (Thank you, Gail…you’re the best!)
Our other friend won’t be here till Wednesday, so we’ve got another whole day of knitting and catching up. There are a few little shops in town I like to visit when I’m here, but honestly, I’ll be happy as a little clam to sit with this little fur ball on my legs and knit to my heart’s content!
🌷
”Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.“
Proverbs 27:9 NIV