I hesitate to even share the ref for this title, but suffice to say that I wasn’t always a monk (like, hardly, especially in my college days), and when the record this’s from came oozing outta Austin, it changed my life. What? Yes, in a good way.
Man, am I getting my blogging knuckles rapped about low postage rates, even by people who’re seeing me every day: “Dude, when’re you gonna update?”
When I ding-dang feel like it, that’s when! I’m on vacation!
Um, did I say that out loud?
What a perfect prelude to my Mongolia return the Northwest is. Brother Konchog is really, really digging it here – the whopping trees, the slack-beat pace of life, the nearness of the sea, the fact that I just added Chestnut-backed Chickadee to my life list.
And what a welcome! Cuzzin Ryan and her partner TMK threw quite the backyard shindig in my honor, so’s I could finally hug all the local Dulaan knitters in person.
First off, they did it up Tibetan stylee, with two sets of prayer flags – Padmasambhava in the middle, no less – draped across the gorgeous flora of TMK’s lovingly landscaped spread.
I gotta tip my chapeau to the proprietor of Seattle’s Pema Karpo (White Lotus) Tibetan Treasures. When he found out the prayer flags were being purchased to adorn a monkly BBQ, he tossed in a protection cord and a bit of dharma medicine called dutsi, both blessed by the Dalai Lama.
Now the guests were not exactly the liveliest crowd – if Jerry Lee Lewis had been the entertainment, he would have had to sing a modified “Whole Lotta Knittin’ Goin’ On” – but they were all beyond delightful. One surprise – to me, at least – was when my Mongolia buddy Carol turned up, plopped herself in a comfy chair, and whipped out some knitting! Had no idea that was one of her talents. Boy, does she fit right in with this crowd.
Here, regular DODR commenters Linda K and Mary B flank Rebecca and Peggy, who are – ready? – reverse asymmetrical twins.
Need to know what that is? ‘Course you do. Dig this post at their wonderfully quirky blog, Yarn Girls, They Do Get Wooly. Need further ways to waste time in your cubicle entertainment? Again, ‘course. So go marvel at their pics of nude, elaborately painted cyclists (legally and gleefully) parading through their li’l Seattle ‘hood called Fremont. Reminds me of the time a couple of years ago when one Mongolian lama saw my first tattoo and laughingly suggested I just get monk’s robes inked on a wander around nekkid.
I know. I’ll give you a sec to clear your head of the image.
I really loved watching their hands work.
This last pair belongs to newly-met KT, who was a hoot, full of energy and constantly cracking up.
Dontcha love the cowboy hat/faux real(!) diamond earring combo? She, too, blogs up a storm at Lookie What I Made.
The second-to-last pair belongs to the inimitable Linda K…
…who presided over a generosity avalanche, all but burying yours truly in coffee (which is abundant and divine in this part of the States – I’m tapping this out at Black Cat Espresso; yes, Lisa, I’m sharing!), kitty toys, and a hand-knit hat to get me through the next Mongolian winter. You’ll have to go to guest Naomi’s Gnomiejo Knits! to see the hysterical shot of me modeling it.
Naomi also got some cool pix of me and Cuzzin Ryan…
…(who posted her own pics – jeez, you’d think it was the red carpet at the Oscars) giving away some fiber-oriented goodies I got for them in Mongolia. They were such a tiny token of my esteem. At last report, the Dulaan Brigade has completely smashed last year’s record and produced nearly 16,500 items, of this kind of quality…
…to be distributed this fall in impoverished Mongolian communities. Love these ladies.
Really, from A to Z it was a completely happy day for all. And I mean for all.
Just because it wasn't red-carpet night at the Oscars doesn't mean I'm not sorry I missed it!
Was that a triple negative?...Wish I'd been there! It looks like a great party! :)
Posted by: Julie | July 19, 2007 at 06:24 PM
"Slack-beat pace of life?" Dude - you've just about killed TMK with the Monkly approach to living life in each moment and not planning the NEXT moment. She may be lying on a sofa with a cool cloth on her head even now dictating a list of activities to Ryan with time limits and shopping lists to reorder their life!
Posted by: Linda "K" | July 19, 2007 at 07:15 PM
Very funny LindaK! I can live life in the moment...occasionally. ;-)
Posted by: TMK | July 19, 2007 at 08:07 PM
TMK and I both agree spending time with Cuzzin Tom has been a good contrast to our frenetic ways!
Posted by: Ryan | July 19, 2007 at 08:23 PM
Okay, I am only gonna say this once- so listen up- the ONLY thing faux about me are my two front teeth! (Much to my husband's consternation, on MANY fronts-heh.)
It was such a joy to meet you. Travel safely and know that you are loved.
Posted by: KT | July 21, 2007 at 04:26 PM
KT -- Y'know, Ryan and TMK chided me, saying I probably mucked my observation of your accessories. I was gonna quick change it, but spent yesterday on a boat. Ya caught me, I fixed it. My you be covered in diamonds in this and every future lifetime!
Posted by: Konchog | July 22, 2007 at 02:52 PM
You are good people, Cuzzin Tom. I have not stopped chuckling and giggling since I met you, in a really good way. You are the diamond...and thank you for the blessings- back at ya.
Posted by: KT | July 22, 2007 at 05:33 PM
I'm so sorry I didn't get to meet you while you were here!
Posted by: Janine | July 22, 2007 at 05:53 PM