Puffing My Way Through the Weekend

Last weekend, when Pop Pop and I arrived at our grandsons' house, the big boy said, "Pappy (his other grandpa) say you know 'Pup da magic dwagon,' Gramma..." 

To which I replied (in song, of course), "Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee!..." I went on (but I won't do that here) and then I've continued to listen to Peter, Paul and Mary all week. It has been glorious!

But I had forgotten how sad the story of Puff was, because "Dragons live forever, but not so little boys...," and I felt bad for the poor guy. He may have been pretty, like these friends we saw on our weekend road trip...

But his life was quite empty once little Jackie Paper was no more. I wonder if Puff ever made other friends? Or was he just so sad that he stopped looking?

The road trip I took this weekend led me (and some of my co-workers) to a conference in a more southern region of the state. Geared toward church staff and leaders, it was a chance to get to know the Holy Spirit while examining our own individual connections to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and there were many high moments.

The conference came to a close this afternoon, and we are soon enough back home in our own beds, but here are a few things I've learned about me on this trip:

1. I truly can knit anywhere! I made a hat while riding in the car, listening to speakers and waiting for meals (here is an unfinished photo, though it will soon be gifted to it's intended head),

and I started a pair of socks with this yarn, though I don't seem to have taken any photos of said socks-in-progress. Yes, I can knit anywhere, man!

2. I am glad for all the people who have encouraged me in my faith walk through the years. I wish I had digital photos of every friend who took me to church, walked me through the Bible and introduced me to Jesus before I even knew I was looking for him. I am so thankful for them, and for the friends who held my hands when I went running to meet him! (Also, thanks Mom. You took me to church regularly, and even though we now worship in different ways, I know that foundation is a big part of my faith journey!)

3. I really like my job, and I love the people I work with! We are all quite different, to be sure, but each of these dear folks has enriched my life in some way. I look forward to many years of working together!

4. I can sleep through just about anything, but I will consistently wake up insanely early in a hotel, and it's a little creepy to occasionally understand how Jack's wife felt when she looked down those long, empty halls at the Overlook. This was my view in the wee hours of the morning...

So there you have it, and hotel coffee isn't that bad. In fact, it's a staple for me when I am up and knitting in the lobby at 5:30am because I don't want to wake up my room!

Have you been to any good conferences lately? Do you love your job? I hope you at least like some of the people you work with...it makes the days so much more pleasant, and I hope your today is pleasant, too! I'll be over here, still puffin' along with Peter, Paul, Mary and Puff, and havin' a pretty good time.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit (everywhere) in Good Health!