Remaining Open

Occasionally I will tell my husband that I am practicing being flexible and he ought to take advantage....yes sometimes I can be inflexible...he's always tolerated it well. Lately I have been practicing being open to new experiences. I find that I can sometimes stay small, not venturing out of my comfort zone, not opening myself up to new experiences. But as I age, I fight that urge and try to remain open. A couple of weeks ago, I met three former Facebook friends in person and it each experience was enriching.

So today when traveling down the coast I took the time to visit Cynthia Newcomer Daniel a Facebook friend whose beadwork I greatly admire. And again I was rewarded with a wonderful experience. Cynthia and husband Dan were lovely hosts, inviting us into their Paso Robles home and

walking us through their huge garden. Even sending us home with artichokes and serving fragrant sweet strawberries. I was also treated to a studio visit and the fondling of lots of Cynthia's beautiful beadwork. And in that spirit of staying open, I took a trip down memory lane with a visit to Kandra's bead shop in Solvang California. I taught at Kandra's shop many years ago and when I walked in and she recognized me, let's just say it was a magical moment for me. 

We connected deeply and I was so pleased to be there. We exchanged memories and new connections, me asking her about her friendship with Kerrie Slade an English beader whose work I adore. We also shared the sadness of Melanie Doerman's early death. She passed away this past week. I didn't know Melanie well but remember her sweetness at a Bead and Button Show meeting. I always admired her beadwork. It brought forward the fragility of life, and the fragility of love. I feel so for her husband whose loss must be deep.