Hello! I’m back. Do you have a cup of tea and a crumpet handy? because this post is longer than usual. There have been many distractions over the past couple of years that have kept me from these pages. I have never spoken of difficulties, here, and I promise this will be the only time! But, after such a long absence, I feel a bit of explanation is in order.
Some of you already know that I have had some serious, even deadly issues with my heart over the past ten years. Two years ago I had a fatal Takotsubo – which is not a tasty, Japanese dish. It is a heart attack caused by adrenaline poisoning. Usually, people recover very quickly from these, but I have not. It wasn’t until last summer, and another heart surgery, that I have begun to feel better. And, boy oh boy, do I feel better!! It has taken a while, but I can do things now that I haven’t been able to do for ten years. But, my heart will never be back to normal.
So, is it strange that I feel compelled to re-visit my old blog in the midst of a viral pandemic? Well, maybe not so strange…Fred and I have been thinking hard about ways to keep us all safe and healthy without giving up the very things that sustain us through these times. If it hadn’t been for knitting, crocheting, weaving, embroidering, felting, journaling and a couple of tons of really good novels, I’m not sure I would have recovered at all. Without Florilegium and all of you, I wouldn’t have had so many reasons to recover. So what do we do now?
One of the huge silver linings of the past couple years, for me, has been lots of quiet, creative time. I have projects galore to share with you. We also have some incredible, new materials to share; and, there are some wonderful opportunities for you to have a hand in designing your own yarns and fibers. We haven’t stood still, while I’ve been taking it a bit easier!! One thing I know for sure is that keeping busy and happy helps in times like these. There is more, but for now I want to get back to how we might cope with the current pandemic.
We have a two-pronged approach in mind. One is for the store, the other for our on-line presence, which means the following:
1. FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWO WEEKS, THE STORE WILL BE CLOSED, BUT THE WEBSITE WILL BE OPEN, AND WE WILL BE AT THE STORE TO PERSONALLY ANSWER QUESTIONS AND HANDLE SHIPPING. 816-746-6164, floril@florilegium.com
2. We are armed with every sanitizer known to man and will be using them liberally and often, so any online orders will be handled in a safe, clean environment by just the three of us.
3. If any of us feels the slightest bit under-the-weather, we will stay home.
For anyone who would rather not venture out, right now, we have some ideas, too!
1. In the greater Kansas City area, we can deliver your order to you!
2. You can pickup your order curbside – we will run it out to you.
3. I will be sharing lots of free project ideas on my blog to help keep you happily busy at home. You can check-in anytime at https://florilegium.com/blog/ and you can sign up from any page for weekly delivery of our blog to your email.
4. If you need something from the store that is not available from our website, please call us at 816-746-6164. Every day we work with people over the phone, sending pictures of available items, and completing orders. It’s fun, works great, and we love hearing from you.
We aren’t done thinking yet, but that’s a start! If you have more ideas, please let us know! We love you all and want each of you to stay safe and healthy. But, let’s stay happy and productive, too!!
Lovely to hear from you, my dear?These are strange times we are living in. Your approach to the dilemma sounds good so far. You are kind and generous to do curbside service?Be safe, be strong, sending you much love-Robin
Dear Robin, Thanks so much for the note of encouragement!! I would so love to see what you’re making, these days! Hopefully that can happen soon. love, Gretchen
Thank you, Gretchen and Fred!! The search for beauty and inspiration is the most healing and rejuvenating activity there is! Florilegium is a beautiful testimony to that truth.
In the recent media, your note is a very rare reminder that health-giving, lively ideas are all around us — everywhere — even as what appears as darkness tries to invade.
This quiet time may be imposed on us all, but it’s useful for practice being still and listening for the ideas we’ve all wished we had more time to pursue — here we are — in our studios, listening with anticipation. And the supplies and encouragement are continually at hand through your lovely generosity at Florilegium, the awesome wonderland created by you and Fred! Be well!
Dear Marian, Your note brought tears to my eyes. It is a lovely thought, to me, all of us working away on those little, creative bursts. And, one day soon we’ll all look up, and it will be time to get back together and share what we’ve done. Thank you for your kind message!! love, Gretchen
Well, I am so happy to hear you are healthy and feeling whole once again. I was planning on loading up my dog Buddy and coming for a visit after I retire, which is in 16 days. The hospital is throwing me a goodbye party 4/6 and I was originally planning on loading up the car the following week until all this Covid 19 came about. My plans were very fluid as I am, now, going to be….Retired. Wholly Cow I am going to be retired! I worked so hard, for most of my work life, have worked two jobs at on time most of my life, and financially took care of my mom, sister and her kids. I wanted to come to your beautiful store as a bucket list trip. SO, be well, let us know when you reopen, and then be prepared to me this newly retired person as I am very very very much looking forward to coming to meet you and your wonderful shop. Ya know Denver is just down the road a bit, when your retired.
Dear Sue, What a special treat it will be for us to meet you and Buddy! We will have a party to celebrate new friends and a safer time. Congratulations on your hard-earned retirement!! It’s such a wonderful, earth-shaking change that it does take a bit of time to assimilate. It took me two years after I left the corporate world and my accounting life to realize Florilegium was what I wanted (needed) to do. Soon, the beautiful weather will be here to stay, and there are lots of things to make and learn, in the meantime. I hope it is the best time of your life!! Thank you for writing!! Enjoy! love, Gretchen
I am so happy you are feeling so good!! We cannot lose your inspiration. I have 2 friends that are knitters and I want to bring them to your shop for all the eye candy you create.
I am glad you are taking this precaution with the virus. See you when this is all over.
Thank you so much for your note!It’s been too long since we’ve seen you, so we’ll look forward to a happy day, soon, when we can all meet again. ❤️