Maria’s quilts, my photos
August 8, 2009 – Clear, sunny, beautiful. Maria and I teamed up to show our work at the Poultney, Vt. Crafts Fair today. It was my birthday. I couldn’t have had a more meaningful or pleasant day. I was amazed at the number of people – some coming as far away as Maine – who came to see us (and Lenore) at this classy and authentic fair, with great food, original art, produce, antiques and fiberworks. I loved the hymn-singing that went on for most of the afternoon.
The power of this blog to touch and move people is always a shock to me, and something of a miracle. People came to meet Lenore, talk about photos and my writing, share their stories and support mine. How lucky I am, and how grateful.
It was a big day for both of us.
Maria sold quilts, and sold out her potholders and took me out to a birthday dinner. Her mother, also named Maria, helped out all day. We were all happily worn out.
I couldn’t remember a sweeter birthday, or one more full of love and hope and friendship. I appreciate the great numbers of people – I think 200 easily – who showed up at 9 a.m. and continued to appear as late as 4 to look at our work, talk about it, and say hello.
Thank you. It means a lot. I didn’t offer any photos for sale, but a number of people said they have begun taking photos because of the blog, and we talked cameras, lenses and animal-photography.
Lenore, who I adore, was stellar, greeting Labs, Mastiffs, Portugeese Water Dogs, border collies, and scores of people who came to see her – almost all of them loving the shots of her wading around the water and the mud. In between, we walked, and she napped, greeted children and accepted the flood of biscuits and birthday gifts (she is two on Monday) that people brought her. This dog’s ability to charm people and dogs and spread love is remarkable. All day, I kept thinking how lucky I was to Maria in my life, these wonderful friends, my work and photography, and these great dogs. I am very happy and eager to move forward in my life, and this blog will do nothing but grow and reflect whatever is happening to me. And I mean for that to be a lot.
