Gifts for a Stitcher, Sad News

Probably the best gift for a stitcher would be a gift certificate to her or his favorite needlework shop. Stitchers can be hard to buy for. They tend to have a lot of “stash,” unless they are beginners -- “stash” is a term for supplies. We are always running out of some things, but even an experienced needle worker, on going through another needle worker’s stash, might not be able to ascertain what is missing or in short supply, because stash is a very individual thing. Of course if you find a catalog page pinned to your pillow and a certain gadget pictured thereon is circled in red, you just might be able to interpret that as a hint.

This has become a difficult Christmas season for me. My mother had a stroke early last week and has been moved from the hospital to a hospice house. She is ninety-one, and so has had a good long run, but it is still very sad. I went down to Ft. Myers for a few days to see her and she recognized me, but was unable to speak. She does not seem to be in any pain, though they are keeping her sedated against anxiety. Other family members are gathering to say goodbye. I ask you to keep a good thought for Marie Pulver. Thank you.