who I would find

I arrived in the forest of New Hampshire

and then I noticed there was something different about these woods

so I took a walk down to the dock 

and set an intention to soak it all in

I looked around at each cabin with it's coordinating dock

and wondered which one was mine and who I would find there

I worried I wouldn't fit in or make connections

on the first night, I returned home late after classes and presentations 

to find a spinner-mama-of-four that inspired me with her tales of mothering, 

a talented blogger, a bad-ass photographing Aussie, one of the smartest women 

I've ever met who will hopefully someday be elected to the House of Representatives 

and two great friends (that are also very good at embroidery)  

we promised ourselves we'd go to bed before midnight, but it was rarely before 2 a.m.

each cozy cabin was historic and simple

a working ice box kept our drinks cold 

with ice harvested from the lake in winter, then stored here 

when I wasn't in class, I was on the dock with my knitting, new friends (although one of them was my bestie going back many years), and great conversation 

on the last night. glowing blocks of ice lead the path towards 

a magnificent Art Fair full of gorgeous wares

and then it was over

 like the luna moth that eventually flew away, so did I
looking back, I am left with

 the memory and luxury of endless hours of laughter
with the woman I feel most comfortable sharing my stories
from the past and the present
all of them and more
a very dear friend

 the surprising quirky humor from my sweater twin, Christine

 (who you may remember seeing here as the inspiration for knitting the antler pattern)

the moving poems of Sarah 

that will have me thinking and dreaming of that

  secret diary she found written by Ester Small in 1886

the artwork by Colleen who encouraged me to work harder and more intensely than I have since my early art school days on an altered book project that pushed me into new territory

the delightful wise cracks and one-liners from Liv and Cheryl that continue to make me chuckle

as I sat on our cabin porch awaiting my ride to the airport, 

my last scene at Squam was full of love, friendship, tears

and the deep, calming feeling that a shift had occurred in my life

I had found more amazing, creative and talented women to add to my tribe