Oh my gosh, as if life wasn't tragic and stressful enough at the moment, our beloved 19.75 year old cat with kidney disease had to be put to sleep this weekend when her body finally failed her. WHILE MY PARENTS ARE HERE VISITING. I can't wait for them to leave today so I can grieve the way I need to. And, my mother must be losing all of her filters, as there is a constant refrain of, "Why did you do this? Why that way? Why not this way? I do..." about everything from light bulbs to loading the dishwasher to why didn't I bring my baby's body home so the other cat could see that she was dead. Umm, he KNEW something was wrong AND we just inherited him last year and they were not friends. I really don't think she would've wanted me to bring her home for him to sniff her. Oh, and "Well, you're getting her ashes, right?" Duh. Of course I am. My kids have instructions to mix all of the cat ashes with mine and to sprinkle us where I've asked to be sprinkled. This from a woman who has criticized me for keeping all of the ashes, because where will I keep them. WTF. Oof. Thanks for the space to vent.
Having just lost my mother, this post deeply resonates with me. I must say, the number one thing that has brought me any sliver of comfort is to receive a card in the mail. So you really know, Catherine! I didn’t know until I lost my mom. I have a shelf I display all my cards on and I feel like they beam out love to me whenever I walk by. I can’t imagine receiving a card with a weaving on it! Imagine the love that shoots out of that card! POW! Also your book, we all want impossible things, is in the line up of books that have helped me through this grieving process. I read it when it came out and then read it again when my mom was in hospice about a month ago. I recommend it to every single person. Anyway, thanks forever for your wisdom and your humor and of course, your chickpea recipes. Big love.
GODDESS BLESS YOU, CATHERINE NEWMAN! Would that everyone were as kind and generous and likely to spend precious minutes weaving onto card stock!!!! (ALSO, STITCH CAMP!!!)
New crafts are actually perfect for These Times, so thank you!
My husband’s dad died a few weeks ago and our 2nd and last kid is graduating from high school and also the Supreme Court and Gaza. That is to say, yes, I feel this post deeply.
I look forward to these every damn time. Even when it’s about dying. Or beans. And the fact you chose to use dandelions to prove that spring is here when everyone else is using tulips and daffodils because really aren’t they so overlooked.
Nothing wrong with you that isn't wrong with a whole lot of us right now. Weirdly comforting to see someone else's similarly spinning brain. Thank you for that. And the craft.
I showed my class of sixth grade boys how to do the heart design for a Mother's Day card (a perfect, soothing May activity, when students threaten to revolt if we give them too much more *content*). For many of them, it was their first time attempting to thread a needle! It was hard to convince them that they're not supposed to tie the thread onto the needle itself?? Some students abandoned their attempts, others went rogue with their designs, and some completed it as instructed ("I'm gonna tell my mom I SWEATED over this"). It was all very entertaining.
I have to say... a doodly cartoon monster stamp on a condolence card would be a real bright spot, even for just a moment, imo.
Yes, I know at least 3 close friends and several acquaintances who have had one or both parents die in the last year or so. And one of my oldest (in terms of how long I knew her since I moved here, not her actual age) friends died a few months ago. And and and. So, yes -- nothing wrong with you that isn't just Wrong, period.
Catherine, I want to be you when I grow up. Immediately requesting Stitch Camp from the library and already have Erin’s book on request. Wow, so much fun crafting in my future.
Your newsletter today and the poem of the day put out by the American Academy of Poets together resonated for me….https://poets.org/poem-a-day, ‘The Reasons’ by David Mura.
First, yes, I have (and send) many condolence cards these days. The bright spot is that I still send more birthday cards than condolence cards. Second, I love that you're so talented and crafty and inspiring. I always think, "Hey, I could totally do that, I should save it," knowing completely that I probably never will, but I like to think that someday (in my retirement??) maybe I will be the person who has time to do something like this. But hey, I did make 4(!!) of the ROY G BIV game. So there's that!
By the end of the day yesterday I had woven my own condolence card for a friend - thanks so much for the inspiration and the nudge to get it done! I used variegated embroidery floss and it came out great.
Oh my gosh, as if life wasn't tragic and stressful enough at the moment, our beloved 19.75 year old cat with kidney disease had to be put to sleep this weekend when her body finally failed her. WHILE MY PARENTS ARE HERE VISITING. I can't wait for them to leave today so I can grieve the way I need to. And, my mother must be losing all of her filters, as there is a constant refrain of, "Why did you do this? Why that way? Why not this way? I do..." about everything from light bulbs to loading the dishwasher to why didn't I bring my baby's body home so the other cat could see that she was dead. Umm, he KNEW something was wrong AND we just inherited him last year and they were not friends. I really don't think she would've wanted me to bring her home for him to sniff her. Oh, and "Well, you're getting her ashes, right?" Duh. Of course I am. My kids have instructions to mix all of the cat ashes with mine and to sprinkle us where I've asked to be sprinkled. This from a woman who has criticized me for keeping all of the ashes, because where will I keep them. WTF. Oof. Thanks for the space to vent.
Moms are hard. May we do better.
Darn right. And I so hope we do better!!
I don't know you, but sending hugs. <3
Thank you Lauri!
I’m so sorry for you kitty loss 💛
Thank you!
Having just lost my mother, this post deeply resonates with me. I must say, the number one thing that has brought me any sliver of comfort is to receive a card in the mail. So you really know, Catherine! I didn’t know until I lost my mom. I have a shelf I display all my cards on and I feel like they beam out love to me whenever I walk by. I can’t imagine receiving a card with a weaving on it! Imagine the love that shoots out of that card! POW! Also your book, we all want impossible things, is in the line up of books that have helped me through this grieving process. I read it when it came out and then read it again when my mom was in hospice about a month ago. I recommend it to every single person. Anyway, thanks forever for your wisdom and your humor and of course, your chickpea recipes. Big love.
My mom passed this weekend. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard.
GODDESS BLESS YOU, CATHERINE NEWMAN! Would that everyone were as kind and generous and likely to spend precious minutes weaving onto card stock!!!! (ALSO, STITCH CAMP!!!)
New crafts are actually perfect for These Times, so thank you!
My husband’s dad died a few weeks ago and our 2nd and last kid is graduating from high school and also the Supreme Court and Gaza. That is to say, yes, I feel this post deeply.
I look forward to these every damn time. Even when it’s about dying. Or beans. And the fact you chose to use dandelions to prove that spring is here when everyone else is using tulips and daffodils because really aren’t they so overlooked.
Nothing wrong with you that isn't wrong with a whole lot of us right now. Weirdly comforting to see someone else's similarly spinning brain. Thank you for that. And the craft.
I showed my class of sixth grade boys how to do the heart design for a Mother's Day card (a perfect, soothing May activity, when students threaten to revolt if we give them too much more *content*). For many of them, it was their first time attempting to thread a needle! It was hard to convince them that they're not supposed to tie the thread onto the needle itself?? Some students abandoned their attempts, others went rogue with their designs, and some completed it as instructed ("I'm gonna tell my mom I SWEATED over this"). It was all very entertaining.
Thank you so much for sharing this idea!
I have to say... a doodly cartoon monster stamp on a condolence card would be a real bright spot, even for just a moment, imo.
Yes, I know at least 3 close friends and several acquaintances who have had one or both parents die in the last year or so. And one of my oldest (in terms of how long I knew her since I moved here, not her actual age) friends died a few months ago. And and and. So, yes -- nothing wrong with you that isn't just Wrong, period.
Catherine, I want to be you when I grow up. Immediately requesting Stitch Camp from the library and already have Erin’s book on request. Wow, so much fun crafting in my future.
Your newsletter today and the poem of the day put out by the American Academy of Poets together resonated for me….https://poets.org/poem-a-day, ‘The Reasons’ by David Mura.
I had the same reaction, Tara!
First, yes, I have (and send) many condolence cards these days. The bright spot is that I still send more birthday cards than condolence cards. Second, I love that you're so talented and crafty and inspiring. I always think, "Hey, I could totally do that, I should save it," knowing completely that I probably never will, but I like to think that someday (in my retirement??) maybe I will be the person who has time to do something like this. But hey, I did make 4(!!) of the ROY G BIV game. So there's that!
You’re my favorite Substack. Thank you!
I’m feeling very much like one of the un-lucky ones. My mom died on Saturday 15-25 years before I expected. I’m now an adult-orphan.
Meg, very very sorry for your immense loss.
I just love everything about this.
By the end of the day yesterday I had woven my own condolence card for a friend - thanks so much for the inspiration and the nudge to get it done! I used variegated embroidery floss and it came out great.
This story came at just the right time--thank you, Catherine. Simple, stunningly lovely needlework projects can be so soothing.