Finding My Girls

When we opened the Grove 5 years ago, there were days when we had only one or two customers. The neighborhood was so different. Rebecca's was across the street in a tiny little space. The building she is in now was vacant. The warehouses on Fern were boarded up and vacant. And, okay, once I had to call the police because there was a guy sleeping in front of our doorway who could not be roused!

You can imagine how delighted I was when Val popped in one day. She told me that her mother had tried to teach her to knit but she just couldn't seem to learn from her. So I offered to teach her. She was such a quick study that I don't even consider myself having taught her. She sort of taught herself. She had a wonderful sense of color and love of textures and before I knew it, she was designing her own accessories. She'd bring in pictures of things from catalogs she wanted to duplicate and say, I think I could do this, don't you? Why, yes I do! In the days of crazy scarf making when everyone was knitting, Val helped me in the store. Whatever she touched, she made beautiful and orderly. So much more to say, but since we're limiting this to first impressions, I will end with this thought. Val was my first and will always hold that special virginal place in my heart!

Then I met Judy. What I remember most is her easy laugh and how delighted and quick she was picking yarns. I can still see her in her black raincoat, facing a wall of yarn and reaching out to touch and select yarns, delighted with what was in her hands. When I saw the throws she was working on, I was knocked out and I asked her to teach for us. To my delight, she was most willing. And one day she stopped by to show me a drag queen she had made for Andrew, her business partner. It was such a hoot (anatomically correct as I recall) and I realized that this woman had talent and skills beyond anyone I had ever met! All these years later, I know with certainty that there isn't anything Judy can't do! So much much more to say, but again, I'm limiting this post to the "early" days.

And next, I met dear Gail. She had taken an intro knit class from another teacher and came in mid-week with questions. I was so impressed that she was pursuing knitting so diligently. I remember she was working with Cork by Rowan. I had Judy's red throw spread over the grand piano and Gail just loved it. I can still see her placing yarns on a table and standing back with her head tilted deciding upon the right color combinations. She bought in fabric swatches from her living room to match up with the yarns. There is nothing that Gail does that isn't beautiful. When I learned that she was a talented and accomplished artist, she eventually had an exhibit at the Grove. Oh, the walls were covered with her work. And it was soooo lovely to be surrounded with these watercolors depicting marketplaces, lavender fields and European hillsides. I'm not sure how we first started emailing, but we've always had a lot to say to each other even though we gladly and gratefully spend a good deal of time together. There is so much more to say, but I just have to limit this to my first impressions!

And last but not least, I met Marcia. You don't forget meeting Marcia. She has great impact! I first met her at a fiber show where Anne and I had a table. I told her I loved her hair and she gave me Casey's card which I kept for years. She bought a Rowan magazine so I knew she must be a pretty serious knitter. Quite some time passed, and she wandered into the Grove with the most gorgeous felted shoulder bag I had ever seen. I remembered her. I followed her around the store saying loudly, "MUST HAVE, MUST HAVE". So she taught the mobius purse class at the Grove. Judy and I missed the first one, I think. I just remember we went into class late and were way out of step with everyone else. And then I learned that Judy didn't even know how to purl! Hah! (Even though she cranked out those throws! But damned if she didn't make a gorgeous mobius) I bet we were pretty trying but Marcia was so gracious and such a wonderful teacher. Beyond that, I don't remember ever not knowing Marcia. And that actually goes for all of my girls.

The Grove was my dream come true. My girls are way beyond my dreams. I cannot imagine life without each and every one of you.