Kindness

First Post of the Day

A few weeks ago Craig and I had an out of town speaking engagement. It was in an older building with no ramp for my walker and very little seating available up near the podium. 

A lot of eyes watched me arrive, negotiate through the roadblocks, lift my walker up the stairs, find my seat, and sit down. (And then begin worrying about how I would get over to the podium when it was my turn to speak.)

Out in the audience was a living history friend, Van Gilder. He is in his 80s but he is still building 18th century furniture and is well known for the quality of his work. (I've never known him to not sell out at an event.) His creations are beautiful and Lisa and I both have folding chairs that he made plus I have a portable clothes rack that he made that I use at every event I attend.

I saw Van out there and gave him a wave as I began. My remarks went well although I did get wobbly a time or two as I stood, but I'd been able to maneuver my walker up to the stand with me and grabbed onto it for support a time or two. (With Craig hovering behind me! LOL)

Yesterday I received a photo and a text from Van.

I did not know what to say when I read it.

(The blacked out portion is about a surprise for someone who reads this blog.)

He's thoroughly thought that chair out and how best to meet my struggles - it's higher than usual, lightweight, has an adjustable headrest...

And it's free. I protested that, but Van was not having it.

Plus, he gave me some ideas for making it even more comfortable and offered free delivery. (I know I do living history, but I have no idea as to where I can get sheepskins!)

Van at an event - those may be his daughters with him, but I've only met them once and am not sure.

Leslie standing among some of Van's wares at Kalamazoo. His wooden buckets are perfectly waterproof and never leak!

Next week I will go down to where he lives and pick it up. I can't see making him deliver it to me after making it and giving it to me. When it is here, I'll post photos (probably without any sheepskins. Hah!)

To say I am touched is an understatement. I am wracking my brain trying to figure out what to do for him in return. Although perhaps I will do as Leslie said and "Just accept the gift." 

I think that would make him happy.

A New Note from Mila

Second Post of the Day

I have two major sewing projects going on, three if you count the tee shirt quilt I told Sarah I'd make her for Christmas.

One of them is horsey! Much as I love sewing 18th century items for Jolis Chevaux, it is so nice to be doing some Horsiemama's Haversacks sewing again!

 I haven't sewn a pony pouch since last fall so it's been a long time.

How good it feels to pull out my Horsiemama fabrics and start selecting ones to use.

Wait. What's this?? Tucked into my Horsiemama fabric stash?

Mila must've popped into my sewing room sometime while she was here on Easter and left me another note to find.

Just what I needed after Molly's loss.

Thanks, Mila. I have recently had some bad days and your kindness and reminder that you believe in me mean so much to me. 

I love you. xo

Coming tomorrow? A guest author!

Stay 'tooned!

 

Kalamazoo: More Kindness to Those Who are New

First Post of the Day

I ran into Jamie Oxendine when I was checking into my hotel room Friday afternoon. His room was across the hallway from mine, and he was going when I was coming. I said hello, congratulated him on his tribe's federal recognition, we chatted a minute or so, and then parted ways.

This is the only photo I have ever taken of him. Apologies for showing it yet again.

Jamie and a group of other tribal members from the Woodlands Nations play together in the Southeastern Spider Water Drum and they were again performing at Kalamazoo.

After finishing, Jamie passed by my booth where a younger woman in native dress was standing. As he approached, she stepped over to him and asked if he would look at her clothing and give her feedback.

He paused, and then I heard him agree, and with that Jamie proceeded to show her his clothes, offering information about it, looking at hers, and more. They had quite a conversation and then parted.

I could not hear what all was said even though they were standing right at my table. It really wasn't my business and I was very busy selling. (How I would have loved to hear about his clothes and their history.)

But what really impressed me was that Jamie took the time to stop. To educate. To listen. To offer feedback and advice. All to someone he did not know.

He gave her the gift of time and knowledge. Just as Becky Waterman did with Donna. And countless other living history folks did for others last weekend at the show.

They care, and they share. 

It makes me glad to be a small part of this community.

 

A Visit from the Rock Fairy

Yesterday began with a bright spot - a discovery that I had received a surprise from our neighborhood Rock Fairy.

I was taking Pepper to the park for our morning game of frisbee and noticed it sitting on our mailbox post.

Very clearly, it was meant for me. Whoever the Rock Fairy is, they know that I am a horsey girl.

Case in point? I was wearing a horsey dress to walk Pepper! (The blue fabric on the bottom right.)

So, what is a Rock Fairy? It is someone in our neighborhood who has decided to spread some cheer by secretly leaving rock art at homes and in the park for us to find. And that rock art is really cool.

Three times rock art has been left at our home.

Our first gift was several years ago and it was left in the same place as yesterday's piece.

The second piece was last summer. I'd accidentally thrown Pepper's frisbee on top of the roof of the pavilion in our park and put a note on our neighborhood Facebook page asking that if anyone found it, to let me know and I'd come get it.

The frisbee was on our sundial the very next morning along with our second piece of rock art.

There are some clues to the Rock Fairy's identity. It is someone who knows me, knows I love horses, and knows where I live. The first gift may have been a random drop, but the second and the third were not.

Teacher Daughter Lisa has lots of students, current and former, who live in our neighborhood. They meet Pepper and me when they earn Pepper Passes  or when I do my annual presentation on 18th century history right before The Feast of the Hunters' Moon. Could the Rock Fairy be from one of those school families?

Or is it someone we meet at the park while walking the dogs? Friends who pass by  that we chat with while outside working on the yard? Is it Kathy? She does chain mail jewelry; I have no doubts that she could do rock art, too.

I may never know, but I will pass on the kindness by doing something for someone else. 

The Gift of Kindness

I did it. It only took three days, but I opened the envelope that Tim had given me at church last Sunday.

I'm glad I did because it made me smile.

A cutting from Abby's tail sweetly tied up with orange and blue ribbons.  Her mane was almost non existent (thanks, Hokey) and her tail was sparse as most Appaloosas' are, but he got a nice piece of it for me.

Those orange and blue ribbons? A nod to the University of Illinois where I did my undergraduate and graduate work. For someone whose career was spent as a professor here at Purdue (a fierce rival of Illinois) that was quite a thoughtful gesture. Already it is a treasured memento of my sweet mare.

Last week Pony Pal Julie presented me with this painting. It's not Abby, but the story behind it and the timing of the gift was perfect.

Nearly two years ago Julie's class was asked to "paint something that is important to your family" and this horse in a sunny pasture was what she created.

Always intending to give it to me, Emily told me that they forgot to bring it during the holidays. Then, they packed up and moved, popping the painting into a box and only finding it again when they finished moving in. So, when they came up here last week to attend Camp Tecumseh, the painting came with them and Julie gave it to me.

It may not be Abby in that painting, but the timing of the gift, just a few days after Abby died, could not have been better. I plan to have it framed and hang it here in my office.

Blog reader Ellie C. also sent me a painting - a watercolor of Abby. The painting is lovely and a sweet reminder of my girl. Aren't those flowers pretty?

Fleabane and red clover!

Two wildflowers that are found throughout the pastures. Fleabane is my favorite wildflower, and red clover was something Abby loved to eat. (And which always made her drool.) I will frame this watercolor, too.

Fellow blogger Betz E. surprised me with a box of yummies from Virginia that are made right there in the state. I am now a life long fan of that Red Rocker Candy! And peanuts and apple butter? Just the best. 

A magnet from my friend Meg. A horsewoman herself, she understood Abby's loss and had this magnet made for me. Those hearts on Abby's face always made me happy.

This next gift is another serendipitous gift like Julie's when it comes to its timing. Someone in our neighborhood uses rocks to spread neighborliness and friendship. No one knows who it is or when the next rock will come. 

The last one I received was painted in bright colors and now resides in my stepping stone garden.

This flat rock wrapped with some yarn was placed on our mailbox the week after Abby died. I put a note on the neighborhood Facebook page to thank whoever made it since I have no idea who it is. But the timing of the gesture could not have been any better.

These unanticipated gifts lifted my heart at a time I was grieving. So did the many cards, emails, and messages that I received. The thoughts, prayers, and karma that were sent.

No matter how it is expressed, the gift of kindness goes a long way. I will grieve the loss of Abby for the rest of my life, but that grief will forever be coupled with memories of the multiple kindnesses I received.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Abby and Two Socks. I love that stem of grass hanging from Abby's mouth! (Photo by Barn Buddy Kelsey Kramer.)

 

Trinity's Surprise

I've got sweet grandchildren, every one of 'em. No doubt about that! And sometimes they do or leave a little something that shows just how wonderful they are.

Take, for example, Trinity.

 A.k.a. Horseyreader. She's definitely horsey like her grandmama! Just this last visit, she not only helped me wrangle a loose horse back to where it belonged, she also took charge of helping her cousins feed carrots and candy canes to Abby and Diablo.

She has a tender heart, too. She slept in my office while she was here for Groompa Camp, and I found this on my desk after she left for home.

Thanks, Trinity! It's now hanging in my office so I can enjoy it. I think of you every time I look at it.