Huckleberry Friends

Dog Diaries

My mom and a friend drove Isabel and I to see an apartment for rent in Sausalito yesterday. The price people can charge for what is so unappealing. A bedroom without a window? Is that even legal (not in NYC). Very depressing housing situation.

We drove on to San Anselmo where my very dear friend, Lauri Luck, had an artist reception of some of her dog paintings. It was so great to see her and her family - her sister and mum came up from LA to see the show. Isabel has a huge crush on Lauri's twin boys, so everyone had a fun reason for the trip.

When I first met Lauri on Potrero Hill in SF many many years ago, she was drawing dogs with pastels. Life came along and she drifted in and out of her creative life. There was marriage, work, raising two little boys on a sailboat. She always strives to reconnect with her art and, it seems, always in a new way (first pastels and now painting). She is an inspiration to me that the process of creating can be much more important that the final product. She is a real artist - someone who cannot live without her art. I am privileged to call her my friend and have her be so supportive of my creative life.

Kindness

One thing I really hate about the corporate world is that people are often so unkind, and for so many reasons. People hate to be at work so they are cranky. Or they are jealous of how much they think others earn. Or they are afraid of losing their jobs so don't trust each other. Or they are afraid of losing their jobs so become sneaky. All of this is so toxic. I admit that I often fall prey to the first reason.

Yet, hear I am, doing something I love, which terrifies me because it is so financially uncertain. Am I an idiot? So I put all of my dreams and thoughts out for friends and strangers to read and judge, making myself vulnerable. And what to I get back?

Kindness.

No one thinks I am a fool or is jealous of my endeavor. My friends (this includes family) think I am making the right decision to turn my love of creating with my hands into a business. And instead of jealousy, I get the sense that I might inspire a few of my friends to think a little differently about their own lives. My so creative and talented friends.
That I am met with such kindness strengthens my belief that this is the right thing for me to do. Why else would the universe be sending me such encouragement?

Kindness. I am grateful.

Happy Girl!

Up early to make 2 new blankets and a new elephant top. Must take photos today if it doesn't rain.

I sent the blog and Etsy info so some friends and family and am so happy with the feedback. It's funny to sit alone every morning at my sewing machine with my dreams tucked safely in my own head. But when I put myself out to the world, I am amazed with the feedback and support. It makes my head whirl with joy and hope that I'm not making a huge mistake to follow my dreams.

Thank you all for your kind words!

A Gift and Dogs

I made this teddy bear for Boo's 1st birthday in March. It's late, but he lives in France and is visiting Boston with his parents, so I thought I'd wait to give it to him in person. It's such a sweet pattern and I love the sage green yarn (it's merino, silk and cashmere!). I'm looking so forward to seeing Boo's mom, K, who I've known for practically half my life. We lost touch about 10 (?) years ago, and it's funny to see how similar we still are. Kids the same age, sewing, cooking, quieter lives than we led when we were younger and single. It's good to grow up.

I have the best dog ever. Roxie gets into a lot of trouble when she plays with Isabel's toys, so she was nervous to help model the new teddy. But she'll put up with anything for praise and the promise of cookies.

Roxie was this scrappy puppy mutt when we adopted her and she was afraid of everything. I would take her to the dog run and she would sit on my lap, afraid the other dogs were going to eat her. We have been so fortunate to have Karen as her dog walker. Karen loves Roxie and made her feel so comfortable that Roxie is now the leader of these 3 boy dogs who she plays with every single day. Simon, the dog just to her left, tries to eat every small dog he sees (hence the muzzle), but all he ever does is put Roxie's head in his mouth and drool a lot. Once, at the dog run, Roxie was pushing Simon around and hanging from his neck skin by her teeth. Literally. Her feet were all off the ground. These dogs love each other.

Roxie was out with the big boys and saw her baby, Isabel, so started to howl. I love when she does that because she looks so sincere. We leave for Boston tomorrow, so Roxie is at Camp Karen, where she does not miss us at all as she spends all of her time wrestling with Karen's Rottweiler, Diesel, or eating Rottweiler-sized dog biscuits. We, however, will miss her a great deal. She is our first daughter!