Heart of Gold

Neil Young was searching for it, fellow Piscean Johnny Cash bemoaned it, and Hank Williams Sr. wailed about it... uh, that might have actually been "cold, cold heart" in Hank's case, but as you may have guessed, the esteemed heart of gold is a mighty scarce commodity. Everyone's had their heart broken, but finding a person with a heart of gold is mighty slim pickins. And if you did happen to stumble upon a person with a heart of gold, they may just want to consult a cardiologist, like pronto!

So, this week-end we've been busy at Moxieville Press. I'm working on some Valentine's Day cards, and even tried my hand at a felt softie creature. More on that later. I've been locked in printing all week-end ... and I love it.

Then we took Georgia over to the dog park,and she got to meet two new Great Dane friends this week-end, one a sweet boy named Dozer who I think has a crush on Sweet Georgia.

Then, I went over to Anna's and I twisted her arm into helping me make a few schwag items for the Petaluma Craft Mafia. It was a pattern we had done for some other giveaways at craft shows, and as we are gearing up to do more in the near future, we needed more schwag. It seems we can never have too much schwag at the PCM.

Actually, I never have twist Anna's arm to do anything. Our resident mermaid is my number one helper, and 'can-do' partner in crime crafter and I am ever so lucky to have her as a friend. And, she can make a mean martini or cosmo.

Speaking of heart of gold, I would say Anna is one of those that has a heart of gold. Yep, Most definitely. You will have to go over to the PCM blog and see what Anna is concocting next. It sounds as yummy to eat as it would be to apply to the face, and it's all strawberry and cream which would make a swell Valentine prezzy for somebody. Of, course, I need to come up with a label for it. Add that to my lonnnng to-do list.

Tis the season of hearts and flowers, and don't look now, but cupid is lurking. I hear Cupid is feeling mighty mischievious this year, so look out for stray love-laced arrows.

Friday Night Knitting Club

A few weeks ago, author Kate Jacobs, invited me to come to one of her book signings for her new book, The Friday Night Knitting Club.

I am not a knitter, though I believe I would like to learn. My mother was teaching me a few crochet steps, and last winter we started a very easy project of a hot pink crocheted scarf. Alas, we never got to finish it. So there it sits, in my knit/cross-stitch project bag mocking me to finish. I've got a lot on my plate right now, but knitting has long appealed to me. Its a very tactile and portable craft, and once you get the hang of it, I hear it's a wonderful way to knit and purl your cares as you work stitches.

Kate is from Canada. Hope, B.C., as a matter of fact. Like me, she's a small town girl who couldn't wait to set off for greener pastures after school. She is a writer and editor and has worked for Working Woman and Redbook among other publications.

Kate says she loves writing for and about women. The Friday Night knitting Club is about a diverse group of women who get together for knitting, encouragement. Each sharing their own tales of heartbreak and joy. How they come together is un-premediated, and each member of the group have their own quirks and problems they are trying to cope with. Some of the friendships are not easy ones at first. Some gel immediately.

The central character is a single-mom and successful entrepreneur named "Georgia." (Of course, you already know why I like this name). Georgia is trying to raise her daughter and juggle her Knit Shop, "Walker and Daughter". I skipped ahead in the book by accident, and hit the Reader's Guide. I was stopped cold when I read that one of the characters gets cancer. Ovarian Cancer. That's all I'm going to say, because I don't want to give the book plot away. But, I found it interesting that Ovarian cancer was the cancer of the character.

Ovarian cancer is the most deadliest of cancers for women, but it doesn't get the press other cancers do. Since our family has experienced first hand how horrible and devastating this cancer is, I felt it was an interesting twist of fate that Kate had invited me to her book signing. I applaud her for writing a bit about it and doing the research. And oddly enough, I felt it was my mother saying "hello, dear. When are you going to pick-up that crochet project we started?"

Of course, my mother wasn't large on endearments, "cher-bear" was one, but "dear" isn't one she would have used. Being at Kate's reading was where I was meant to be this crazy past week-end.

Kate's reading was at Reader's Books in Sonoma and The Book Passage in Marin. I missed the Reader's event, but I made it to the Marin reading. I very much enjoyed her reading, and hearing about Georgia, Darwin, Peri, Anita and the other unlikely friends in the Friday Night Knitting Club. Kate herself is a delight, and I was surprised Copperfield's Books was not on her Book Tour for FNKC. Knitterly, here in Petaluma, would have been an ideal place for her to do a reading. Perfect. Would have drawn quite a crowd.

Kate was headed for NYC, after her Marin signing and back to the publishing world to share a reading back in the Big Apple. Her favorite thing to do is write fiction in her pajamas at home in the wee hours. My kind of gal. Kate lives in Los Angeles with her husband and beloved pooch.

If you're looking for a great winter read to curl up with along with a mug of tea, you simply must pick up a copy of Friday Night Knitting Club. You will find a recipe or two in the novel to try. Speaking of which, Kate's new novel, Comfort Food will be coming out in May.

Look forward to it Kate! We hope to see you in the Spring!