I've recently discovered local tag sales that happen on Facebook - and I'm loving it. People post things they want to sell and if you like something, then you jump on it. Easy peasy. It seems that every town around here has a tag sale page on Facebook. So, I've found some awesome items and, more importantly, I've met so many nice people, right here in my own town.

Among the more awesome tag sale experiences was the opportunity to buy zillions (yes, zillions) of fat quarters at fifty cents each!

To add to the awesomeness, the seller - Sage (great name, right?) - and I hit it off right away. We had a blast talking, while I pawed through thousands of bundles of fabric. I mean really - I was there for nearly four hours and when I finally left, it was only because I had a prior commitment. I actually returned a few days later for more fabric and fun.

Here's the kicker: Sage asked me, logically enough, if I am a quilter. Not exactly, said I - I work with textiles and often I make little quilts, but I'm not a traditional quilt maker. Here, said, I, let me give you my card.

I handed over a card with a very nice image of a little quilt, made with linen and cotton. Then, just for the heck of it, I handed over another card, one showing my first Pieces of Dreams, made with upcycled sweater pieces and antique buttons. I hesitated to show it to her because it had nothing to do with the kind of fabrics she was selling. But, what the heck, might as well share it, right?

So, Sage looks at the card and her eyes light up and she exclaims, "I know who you are!" Really? "You had a show at the Sadelier Gallery in Danbury!" True! I did! Then, check it out, she tells me that she has kept the show's promotional postcard tacked up on the wall, next to her sewing machine, for the last ten years - as inspiration! You know how that makes me feel, right? It makes me feel GOOD! And then, it gets better, Sage asks me if I will autograph the card for her. Now, I've been asked to autograph things before, but not often enough to be anywhere near jaded, so I was flattered, big-time, by her request. And I did autograph it. And that was the topping to an awesome day.

FOLLOW MY BLOG WITH BLOGLOVIN

It's been about forty five years since I last saw Aynne, my dear high school friend. She lives in California and I live in Connecticut, but thanks to Facebook, she has resurfaced in my life. This is how it is now, for so many of us: rediscovering old pals, far away in time and space, but still soulmates.

Memories are heaped upon memories ... her fabulous smile ... listening to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds ... our teacher assigning one word descriptions to everyone in the class - she was ethereal and I was enigmatic ... both of us devouring books - Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land and Hesse's Damian spring to mind ... buying the same dress, unbeknownst to each other - hers black and mine red - then each of us wearing the dress to school on the same day, totally unplanned, and certain there was great meaning in the coincidence ... exploring Innisfree Gardens in Millbrook while sharing a yogurt (my first taste of the stuff) ... ice skating on Vassar Lake ... sharing secrets ... sharing friendship.

&nbs… — PHOTO :: VASSAR COLLEGE ARCHIVES

I'm sure I haven't a single photo of Aynne from that time, let alone a photo of the two of us together. But now I do have a lovely photo of her wrist, adorned with many gorgeous bracelets, one of which - the labradorite one on the far left - was made by me. That feels good ... feels special.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Aynne will know what that means.