I'm knitting with the real deal the last few days, yarn hand spun and dyed by a friend I respect immensely for her intelligence, resillience, and individualistic yet connected life. The yarn was a gift at the memorial service of another equally authentic and compassionate friend, and I'm knitting it into a throw for yet another woman of honor, valor, honesty and hilarious delight. The dyes are berries and the colors rich in greens and violets, wines. The growing blanket wraps me in joy. I love that I can be part of a web of connection through needlework. When I was little my grandmother was still participating in sewing circles, quilting bees and being part of such a creative circle was a fantasy of mine. Check that one off the list. Hooray!