As usual I’m joining with Emily of Nerd in the Brain (and others) for Three Things Thursday’. As she says…
*three things that make me smile: an exercise in gratitude – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog with the happy*
This week, I’m concentrating on people, more specifically Katies, and variants thereof. In fact I originally met all of these three online, all three of them write blogs and I’m very happy to know all three of them…
Katie’s square for my Masterpiece Blanket
First, Katie Shepherd.I first met Katie on Facebook when we were both studying for our Diplomas in Permaculture Design. She had set up a diploma FB group as a place to share ideas and generally discuss the subject of permaculture. When I joined the group (four and a half years ago) I hardly knew any of the members, but since then I’ve met many of them face-to-face, including Katie. These days the two of us chat online, email, see each other at events and make a special effort to get together. We share many interests, but especially a desire to ensure a better end to life for everyone. We’ve had many many discussions about “good death” and her insights as a palliative care nurse have given me a great deal to think about. Katie’s Creative Dying website is intended to support people – at any time of their life – to plan and design the death they would like. She also has a much more general permaculture website, including her blog, and not forgetting her Healing Agriculture website that features various inspirational farmers, growers and land managers. Katie is a wonderful, fun and supportive friend, and I’m so grateful that permaculture interests brought us together.
One of the three squares Katy made for my Masterpiece Blanket
My second Katy is Katy the Night Owl – fellow crocheter and tea-drinker. We met via this blog and then discovered that we live just around the corner from each other… and when I say just round the corner, I mean no more than 200m away! Over the past few years we’ve discovered lots in common other than crochet, including a love good, locally produced food. Katie has just had something of a political awakening and this is reflected in many of the recent posts on her blog, but she’s still creating loads of lovely crocheted items. Katy is housebound and I don’t go and visit her nearly as often as I should, but it’s always a delight to call round for a chat… and a cuppa or two.
Colours of Australia in the square Kate made for my Masterpiece Blanket
Third is Kate Chiconi – fabulous quilter, gardener and dedicated blogger (at Tall Tales from Chiconia). Kate and I met through Lonnie, who used to blog as The Belmont Rooster. He listed us each for a blog award and we, of course, went to look at each other’s sites and thus began our friendship. Although separated by thousands of miles, Kate and I have got to know each other via email and Skype as well as through the blogs. Because of the time difference we have to be a little bit organised to arrange our conversations, but we’ve managed to get it to work so far. I am completely in awe of Kate’s quilts (go and look at her blog – they are amazing) and it always makes me smile when I see that she’s embarking on a new project.
So, those are three people that I’m grateful for this week – what about you? Is there anyone making a difference in your life, making you happy? Is there anyone you know who is making the world a better place? Are there any other Kates or Katies who deserve a mention?
The Snail of Happiness 
w1nt3l
/ September 29, 2016I appreciate real-life connections as I have so few of them of my own. In our culture of electronic socialization, it’s important to remember we need physical human social connection to stay sane. It would seem to me that this Masterpiece Blanket is going to be huge 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ September 29, 2016In fact, the Masterpiece is complete (indeed I’m sitting on it as I write)… it has quite a long history, but was a wonderful way to make connections. People sent me squares from around the world so there was actually something tangible. I’m not sure that I’ve ever written a post about its complete history… perhaps I should!
I have met so many people online and quite a few have evolved into true friendships. It’s slightly nerve-racking to meet in person for the first time, but I’ve got used to it now and am generally happy to give it a go.
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Wild Daffodil
/ September 29, 2016So glad to be introduced to your Katies.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ September 29, 2016I’ve got several others in my life, but these are the ones I met on line!
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insearchofitall
/ September 29, 2016I too know Kate from Chiconia. She is so very talented and helpful to everyone. Just voted on her lovely quilts that were entered in a contest. She is one of the people I have met online that I am grateful for as well as several others. I learn a lot from you as well.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ September 29, 2016Oh that reminds me… I must vote for Kate..
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katechiconi
/ September 29, 2016Thank you for the vote! And thank you so much for the kind words 🙂 It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to be your long-distance friend. Speaking of which, Is the crazy-busy period over, and do you have time to Skype in a couple of hours, after I’ve got the Husband away for his unearthly-early start to day shift?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ September 30, 2016Eeek just seen this… I was having a computer-free evening yesterday. I’m free much of today.
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katechiconi
/ September 30, 2016Lovely to catch up eventually!
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katythenightowl
/ October 2, 2016I’ve just had a whirlwind week, as my Brex arrived here as a wonderful surprise for my birthday, so I’ve only just got around to reading my favourite blogs again 🙂
I, too, am so grateful that we met as we did, and thoroughly enjoyed your last visit 🙂
I hope you do blog more thoroughly about your wonderful blanket? 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 3, 2016I will… I have been uninspired with my blogging recently, but I’m planning a way forward…
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Born To Organize
/ October 5, 2016What a lovely idea, blogging about the three Kate’s. I too “know” Kate via the sisterhood project. I’m gobsmacked that you live within shouting distance of another blogger. That is amazing! I’ve met up with many bloggers, and now count several as close friends, but not a one lives in my city. Lucky you!
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