Bits of Your Past that come creeping back.

REGINA CREED, may she land in a room of fabric.  

I have a new rule in my life.  If I think of someone, I reach out.  I am finding that this is a mixed bag.  Sometimes, the soul you seek has moved on, and the search is fruitless. Sometimes, they pick up the phone.  Sometimes, you call, and there is no answer.  That happened to me today.  I left a message and called my friend's sister.  Regina will not be calling me back.

I have known her since I taught in Dietrich, Idaho, in 1977. She worked part-time at B Dalton Bookstore at the Blue Lake Mall in Twin Falls, Idaho. She was a tiny little thing with excellent knowledge and seemed much older than me.  She was recently divorced and had left four sons with her ex-husband in San Francisco.  As I reflect, I realize just how lonely and lost she was then.  She seemed such a powerhouse.  

I left teaching, she returned to The City, and we had contact over the years.  Each took time to reach out and spend time with the other.  I visited San Francisco, and she visited Seattle. She helped me learn to quilt and started me on a journey of exploration, fabric purchasing and other such sins. When I visited, we always sought out the eclectic bookstores and hinkie Asian restaurants.  

She was very devoted to her children and created a life that made sense for her over the years. She had a wonderful rent-controlled apartment in the Richmond neighborhood.  Regina loved her grandchildren and thrived on finding the perfect piece of fabric with small figures scattered around.  She taught me so much. We had chances to visit over the years.  She came to Seattle, and I went to San Francisco.

Regina and her sister taught me to quilt.  It started with one Sun Bonnet and entered a sort of obsession stage.  It has been a magical obsession and has provided so much joy.  

I will miss Regina.  She was wise and wittily guided me, and she shared her quilting obsession and great suggestions for books and movies. She also taught me how to make a simple stir-fry sauce.   I will miss her.  I know she is still hanging around, and I hope she knows she made a difference in many lives.  

I have now figured out what time away from Seattle really feels like.

Circumstances took us to Seattle this last weekend.  Family wedding, memorial service for a longtime friend of Mary-E's, and much-needed shopping at places such as Met Market and Pike Place.  Now, Spokane is not a food desert.  We have the luxury of Yokes; they will order just about anything.  It's just a different vibe.  It is the abundance of variety.  Everyone should have to choose between fourteen varieties of peaches. Such a presentation of choice is good for the soul but not the pocketbook.  

We were lucky to have a nice warm weekend and some time to figure out what to do next.  Sometimes deck time is a good thing. I have realized my tolerance for traffic has waned.  I'm still pretty good at getting around and sneaking into the right lane but it is more of a challenge.  I reflect back to 1986 when I moved to Seattle and found a much less crazy environment. As growth and progress changed, adaptations were made to accommodate the new issues.  They forgot to ask me what I needed and how to best make me happy. I guess the city has moved on, and I am still sort of stuck with memories. I still miss a good bookstore at U Village.  Greenwood Market was the best. No one should need to pay for parking at Nordstrom Rack. 

My life has been one of change and acceptance of that change.  My first real job was in Dietrich, Idaho, which has a population of 84.  Leaving law school and vowing never to do another divorce.  [Don't ever tempt the goddess.]  Marriage, remarriage, one child, second child, a creature named Leukemia that came to stay way past its pull date. Moving into my 8th decade with some class and enthusiasm, but not as much energy. Wondering what adventure lies ahead. I am not one that trusts the universe with too much faith but I am still going to move forward. As we all should....