Hello  Barra!

Thank you for accepting my invitation!!! I look forward to conversing with you more in the near future. I am so happy to have you for my friend!!!

No, I didn't sew my cap, just ordered it. I'm really poor at needlework. I do enjoy writing fiction and poetry, though I have little free time. I also enjoy playing hymns and classical music on the piano and I adore cats! Do you like cats?

I've always longed to live in the Scottish Highlands but I don't know where my ancestors the Hoyts came from in Scotland. Maybe I could find out. My mother was brought up in an orphanage so I know very little about her relatives.

Again, thank thee for being my friend!!!!

Blessings to thee! I'll write more as time affords. I'd be interested in learning more about thy interests and hobbies.

Thy friend,

Hilda

Greetings to thee Barra!

I did not send out the invitation to cause thee to feel obligated to correspond when thee cannot do so. I noticed that thee hath the harp and on thy blog, thee likest celtic music and the like. . . Yea, even speak Gaelic?? On my side of the family, excluding my wife, there is a heap o' Irish, some Scottish, English, Welsh, Gaelic, a wee o' German, and peppered with Native American—so that my skin nearly always immediately turns brown from the sun.

Sorry to learn of thy husband's situation. It puts a pressure upon thee, I'm sure. My late mother cared for my late father, whom had a brain illness namely: Parkinson's Disease. She laboured long and hard, yea, even got a hernia from lifting him off the floor so many times. I do know somewhat what thee meaneth, not being able to frequently reply to something or to someone. . .

Thank thee very much for thy comment. I hope thee and thy household the very best. May the music of thy harp bring comfort to thee, when thou hast the time to play. Reminds me of a stanza from In Memoriam: 

"I held it true with him who sings,

    To one clear harp in divers tones;

    That men may rise on steppingstones,

Of their dead selves to higher things." Alfred Tennyson

May thee find the Strength, Comfort, and Healing from the Almighty God of Light and Love. Our prayers are with ye both. Take care, dear sister Friend. Again, I thank thee, for my wee little family.

Thy Friend—Timothy Bruffy

Greetings Barra:

Thank you also for your thoughtful response.  I should have acknowledged all the needle arts in my original composition for I too began with embroidery, learned by watching my mother.  I sewed most all my clothes from an early age. . . and began quilting much later.  Quilting is easier and more soothing because I've overcome most of the problems of puckers, fit, and so forth. 

Your memories of the three of you stitching together in the afternoon are treasures indeed.  I wish I had that - - I don't.  I remember my mother doing some of it, but not really teaching me.  I have no memory of us doing it together.  You are truly lucky and blessed to have those wonderful memories.  

Your idea  for your program is amazing.  How wonderful it sounds. . that would be living a dream.  Perhaps one day I can join you in that.  Crafts, no matter what they are:  soap making, candle making, all the fibers, etc., they're all wonderful.  They make our lives rich in the most simple of ways.   I applaud all of them.  Your love of the harp and storytelling - - these are wonderful and beautiful gifts and they bless your life and the lives of those you touch with them. 

This past weekend I attended a huge craft fair among the Amish.  A man had a hand-carved puppet show (Merionnettes) for children.  I have no children yet I sat transfixed watching that show twice and I was not alone.  (It was Briar Rose / Cinderella)  I'm glad to say most of the parents who brought their children probably enjoyed it as much if not more than the children.  I cannot put a price tag on any of those things.     

I do have some of the Elm Creek Quilt novels though have not found time to read them yet; I will.  I also have what I believe are some Quaker Quilt Mystery books .. perhaps 4 of them.    I look forward to reading those also one day.  These are so fun to have to look forward to. 

I wish you only the best in your retirement and in caring for your husband.  Also in finding a group of like minded stitching women for social connectedness and warm conversation. 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and I look forward to talking with you more.