My New Old Friends

The incomparable Joan Schrouder recently hatched a cunning plan, whereby all the knitting teachers she could find in Oregon, weather or not she knew them yet, were invited to a retreat with her at the coast.  She thought it would be nice for all of us to take a bit of time to get to know one another, network, compare war stories, and of course, knit.  Of the original 14 invitees (you would not believe how many high-profile Knitterati live in Oregon), 7 of us made it (this first time).

Joan's clever house-marker, propped up in the yard

In addition to their careers as mild-mannered knitting teachers, the group's secret identities include: 30-year Phlebotomist, Private Practice Optometrist, Computer Scientist, Copyright Attorney, Wife and Business Partner of a real-live Rock Star, and a Wall Street Investment Banker-turned-Cattle Rancher.  Oh, and there's me: Cube-Farm Refugee.  These are some smart, powerful and busy women.

Nautical sunset on the Oregon Coast

In addition to taking in some of the greatest coastal scenery the country has to offer, we genuinely enjoyed one another's company.  We did a lot of show-and-tell, exchanged many problems and solutions, ate like kings, and knit like maniacs.  We all surprised ourselves by making a lot of progress on our projects du jour as we talked and bonded.

Clockwise from upper left: Parna Mehrbani, Angela Davis, Joan Schrouder, Shelia January, Mary Scott Huff, Anne Berk, JC Briar

We promised ourselves and each other to do more of this.  In addition to including the others who couldn't make it this time, we all agreed that we want more of this kind of restorative and inspirational time together.

And we have several evil schemes brewing.  Which should come as a surprise to no one who knows me, or my New Old Friends.