I hate falling into blog silence for a while, and then rushing back to blog about everything that's happened in the last few months. Thus begins a series of retrospectives. Others will follow, including, but not limited to: how awesome it is to have a spinning swap pal in Finland; what happens when 18 knitters get out of their own homes, cohabitate in a motel in Vermont and start being real; Sheila and Jonathan Bosworth's impact on my free time, and the small blessing that allowed that to happen early; and the upcoming MS Walk on April 19 and the fundraising, teambuilding that I will be doing. I have no order or timeline for this.
Today I want to talk about Rhinebeck. Today I hope I can pull pictures from my computer upstairs to this laptop, because if you can't feel it, smell it, listen to it, then I want you to be able to see some of it.
On the east coast of the US, at least, Rhinebeck is some sort of fiber mecca. Everyone goes there. All of your favorite vendors, all of your favorite bloggers, some favorite food, and promised hijinks.
Early in the summer there was enough interest where I thought "what the hell, let's get a bus!" Yeah, that interest dwindled away when the planning actually started. It happens, I can't fault it. So we thought about a passenger van, and then it all fell into "maybe next year." There came Cyndi and Jerry of Yarn and Fiber
They were heading to Rhinebeck, and they had room for us. So at 5 (I think it was 5, but I plead PTSD when I've gotten up before the sun) on Saturday Donna (Chris's mom) Heather (Sereknity), and the two of us met at Cyndi and Jerry's house. Funny about that. Chris and I are sitting down inside, and Donna comes in with a big grin, quickly walks over to Chris, hugs him closely, and says "I love you!". The thought process with me was kind of slow. He had felted a bag for her a few days before... his was not so slow. "You hit my car again, didn't you?!" Yes, apparently running into Chris's parked cars has become a once a car occurrence for Donna. No damage done, but a little piece of blog history written.
We got on the road. Dunkins for breakfast. A bathroom stop, and then we were there.
I will say one thing, it's not as huge as the fables make it seem, but there is a lot going on. There were sheep walking around, sheep in pens, paintings of sheep (no, seriously, click.) There was yarn and fiber and pottery and buttons and postcards and candy and spinning wheels and jewelry and puppies and looms mittens and lace... there was so much. And sooo many people.
And can I take a moment to talk to the women who thought bringing a double wide stroller is a good idea? Seriously? Did you pay attention to all of the people who had to leap out of your way? Please be considerate when planning to go next year.
Chris, Donna and I wandered through everything there was to see all morning. I bought some, but not a ton. I wasn't really there to buy, but to see, anyway.
And see I did. One of the biggest highlights was seeing Franklin :D
Franklin and the Haddads. Franklin is incredibly likeable people. Chris and I are one of his 1,000 (not as buff as the 300, but no less lively) and we saw him at the first meeting of the Common Cod guild. At Rhinebeck we got to meet Carol, his keeper (whom I've heard good things about) and I can say, in complete confidence, that he keeps great company. Let me make a mighty plug for his new book, It Itches, published by Interweave press just recently. Very wonderful reading. And if you're into beefcake with your yarn, then let me point you to the Men with Yarn 2009 calender (although I'll be honest, my favorite part of that calendar was the envelope it came in. I bought it right after Rhinebeck and he drew a little sheep on it, and the sheep said "Hey, I know you!" I haven't decided what to do with it yet, but it certainly can't go the way of most evelopes).
And we got to see people that we love. We ran into the Harlot's Stalker, Kimberly, Julia of the Twist Collective, Sheila and Jonathan Bosworth of Journey Wheel fame, Galina of Skaska designs, Amy Boogie of Spunky Eclectic, Seed Stitch Cheryl, Casey and Jess (complete with Bob cupcakes),and so many other people I was so happy to see. I've amassed enough stash. I didn't say I'm done, but when I go to these events, it's not to buy more, it's to see people.
We were at the Ravelry meetup only briefly (ate a cupcake) and then we were back in the Yarn and Fiber van, driving towards home.
I know nothing of this, though.
I was passed out the whole way.
