V's Version

How's this for coincidence?

The very first stitch on the white satin of my wedding dress broke the sewing machine that Whitewolf and I purchased just before I got sick in 2002. Granted, it was my fault. I forgot to change the quilting foot that I was using on the New Orleans quilt before I started sewing the red leather (!) onto the wedding gown. The needle jammed and broke, severely messing up something inside the machine. I was stunned and kicking myself. I have had to put off quilting for a long time - Pk had pneumonia, we hosted Dani's mother for the weekend, there are soccer games, we had houseguests, I had to get the "cottage" ready (which is actually a bare cement floor shed but I have tried to make it nice with homey touches..) to house a young dyke (Dandypants) and her cat (Mr. Paws) while they search for work and housing in SF.

I was justifiably frustrated to put off my work for even a minute more but knew that the dress wouldn't take that long and I was very excited to be tricking it out... so when the machine broke and I realized that it could be weeks before it was fixed and that I had to come up with another solution, I was more deeply sad than made sense for the situation- until I realized the symbolism of it all.

A new life. Another reminder that the past is behind me. A little more grief to let go of so that a little more happiness can seep in.

After many tears, an emptying of my savings account and some creative financing, I am back to my whirring self.

Now if my manchine could only help me with color theory....

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The above picture was taken by Mark Chester at the Folsom Street Fair, who has been documenting freaks since the 80s. The fair was way crazy fun. Dani and I especially appreciated the women-only space provided by the Exiles. It was great to get away from the crowds into a safe place full of friendly welcoming women.

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I wish that I could write about all the things going on - planning the pagan /Buddhist committment ceremony for 4, setting up the legal works to allow Dani to adopt Pk (which looks very positive for everyone involved), soccer and sportsmanship in the face of defeat, the patience of being the hostess of somone who is vehemently negative about a good friend, the experience of teaching in Pk's class, the difficult and potentially rewarding challenge of learning non-violent communication, what it was like to see the Gee's Bend quilts at the de Young museum, going back to the chemo clinic for some port flushing and sexual harassment, good (long overdue) conversations with friends, the progress on my book and what about my festival adventures?.....I am living life so fully that I can not stop to write about it.

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