R.I.P Teachum
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@Bernard Yes, I did. The yarn is Lion Brand Mandala, the color is Centaur. The pattern (Virus Meets Granny) is from a YouTuber who calls himself Fiber Spider. I think he had a link to someone's written pattern, but the pattern is not in English. Fortunately, he did a three video series (in English!) for this shawl. His videos are delightful and I enjoy working along with him.
Here's the first one:
Link to videoIt's a really satisfying project. The self-striping yarn is easy to work with and the pattern isn't really all that complicated. While I love natural fibers they require more care when it comes to washing. This yarn is acrylic, so a gentle machine wash is all it needs. It comes out of the washer almost dry, so mostly I lay it out on a towel and quasi-block it. It can be machine dried, but I like the air dry option.
When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier
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How nice!
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From Kathy’s FB page, Sheryl posting:
“Editing to add: we are looking to plan a gathering in her local North Idaho community in the near future. We will also plan something later in the year in La Grande, OR. Kathy always felt that was her happy place and loved the community and people there. We will bring her ashes there.
This is Sheryl Decker, posting from Kathy Decker Gray’s Facebook account. We will be memorializing her Facebook page in the near future but first I had a few things I wanted to say.
My beloved sister Kathy Marie Decker Gray lost her fight for life on January 28, 2025, at the age of 73. She suffered a quick series of health crises and challenges that were impossible to foresee. Kathy was well loved by so many in the community of Kootenai County, ID, and remembered by countless former students as their 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Gray. As a teacher for more than 20 years in Spirit Lake, ID, she impacted many young lives; many of her students continued to keep in touch. I have been amazed by the outreach from her former students and fellow teachers in the community. She was active with her retired teachers in book club, plus quilting and outreach to children who wanted to learn to quilt. She had many interests!
She was an avid musician, always pursuing that next Chopin nocturne on the piano, occasionally branching out but always returning to Chopin. She was also well loved by those in her piano and musical circles of friends. She dabbled in guitar, but her true passion was the piano, especially playing on her prized Estonia grand piano.
My sister was 7 years older than me and served as a mentor and teacher to me in my early childhood. She had a love for music that she passed to me, and as a kid I remember washing and drying the dishes together while she taught me how to sing harmonies, a life skill that I have to this day. We talked or texted nearly every day and the topics were usually animals, books and music. We often shared the same taste in our piano literature, and I used to razz her a lot for “stealing” my repertoire. They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery and in that regard, I believe it’s true as I stole some of hers too!
Her other passion was her animals and many passed through her life over the years. There was a point about 20 years ago when she had managed to take in 5 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 horses. Kathy loved sharing her horses with family and friends, and I have so many great memories of riding the trails and hills around Spirit Lake with horses Thriller (an irascible mare that relished any opportunity to unseat the rider), Beau, a nice horse with a rough gait, thereby causing any rider going out with Kathy to finagle to make sure they got the other horse, and last but not least: Flame, the horse that everyone wanted to ride and loved (he too knew how to startle unexpectedly and cause an unscheduled dismount). She had many generations of German Shepherds and never felt her life was complete without one by her side (or in her bed). Her current GSD, Lana, is currently being loved and cared for by her niece.
I will miss her so very much. She deserved a longer life, and I am angry at the universe on her behalf. I could say so many more things about all her great qualities, but if you’re reading this, you already knew.”
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