A little explanation . . .

Obnoxious color for reading on the computer, I know.  But it’s fitting for this entry.  My husband and I are currently separated by miles, but trying not to be separated in any other way.  We will be together again in September.  In an effort to stay connected we are reading one of his favorite books and one of my favorite books.  His was “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”, which we just finished.  By just finished, I mean he probably finished it last week and I finished it today.  I’m kind of a slow reader.  I don’t devour, I savour.  Once I figure out how to do more things I’ll post a link to Allen’s blog on Zen.  My choice is “Little Women”, which we will start reading tomorrow.

Actually, this book is an inherited favorite.  My grandmother, Grammy, loved this book and gave it to me for Christmas one year.  It has sincerely become one of my favorites as well.  I’ve been after Allen to read it for a while and now he has no more excuses.  This will be an interesting journey for me like “Zen” was for Allen.  Grammy passed away several years ago and we just lost her sister whom I was very close to, as well.  Momma June, Grammy’s sister, became an adopted grandma (and best friend) to me after Grammy passed away.  So losing Momma June has been doubly hard to deal with.  Not only did I lose an amazing mentor and dear friend, but it was like losing Grammy all over again.  I haven’t dealt with the grief much, yet.  I really don’t know how to do it.  Hopefully, this will give me an outlet to not only share something from my relationship with Grammy, but Momma June as well. 

Grammy also taught me how to crochet.  When she died I started using up all of the yarn that she left behind.  The biggest project that came out of that was a huge afghan of random yarn that ended up becoming a Valentine for Allen.  It was the first real crochet project I think I ever finished.  I had to marry Allen to keep it in the family.  (No, honey, I never get tired of telling that joke.)  It was completely cathartic.  I still like to crochet when I’m anxious about something or feel like there is something inside me trying to get out.  Even if the thing that is bothering me is not getting resolved, at least I’ve made an afghan in the meantime.

Now back to the color.  Pink was Grammy’s favorite, so it seemed fitting for this entry.  I may not keep it, but it’s nice to start with something of hers.  And as for my username, I was trying to figure out which character I most identify with right now.  It’s probably Meg, for reasons which will become obvious later.  Although, I also considered Jo and Amy, which may not be so obvious later, but may come up.  We’ll start with the first chapter at least tomorrow.  Allen, we need to figure out a reading plan.  I don’t think we’ll finish it before you get here though.