Even as temperatures approach 90 hereabouts, I'm nevertheless ready with the perfect hat to match my spring coat (an L.L. Bean item I've worn for several years now). Actually, it's only supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow, but I'll be in NC where, for some meteorological reason, the highs are still slated for 80s. At any rate, here's my spring Bottoms-Up Bucket O'Chic; click on that photo for a smilin' view.
I knit on the Mother's Day scarf last night en route to Ashland Coffee & Tea (I wasn't driving) to hear singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky. The place is a coffeeshop, restaurant and listening-room-type musical venue, and the owners do a great job of booking performers in the folk/Americana range, as well as local favorites. It sits right next to the train tracks, and Lucy was tickled when Amtrak chugged by as she opened with a song that has a train in it.
I can refer to this singer by her first name without reservation after last night. As she was introducing the title song from her new album The Red Thread, I began nodding while she asked the audience if we were familiar with the Chinese belief that every child is connected from birth to all of the people who will be important in its life by an invisible red thread that may tangle and stretch but will never break. The song, and a few others, address the presence of the daughter she and her husband adopted in November. It's a small room, and she noticed me and said oh you know what it is and I replied back to her I have a daughter from China! She asked how old the Wee One is, then said she wanted to talk to me at the break. When that time came, I showed her Caroline's picture and we had a little China-mom-chat, and I bought her CD. In addition to being a great singer (with a doctorate in psychology!), she's a really nice person. I was floored when she dedicated a song ("This Is Home") to me in the second set, a beautiful number that brought on the tears. She signed our CD after the show, and asked me to hug Caroline for her ~
Lucy was interviewed by Melissa Block on "All Things Considered" on National Public Radio on Friday, April 16th. You can hear her talk about and sing "The Red Thread" there.
You are so adorable in your hat! (The glasses are a great touch. Wish I looked that spiffy in my glasses.) Brava, Maggi!
Posted by: Becky | 08 May 2004 at 03:05 AM
Well of course she dedicated a song to you, how fabulous is THAT? Makes me oh so Happy! (a little teary and a wishin I'd been there to hear the TRAIN, the music, and to hug YOU...but happy, HAPPY!)
The bucket looks tres chic on you (natch), now all you need to complete that stylish outfit is an adorable pooch on your arm.
Has the wee one decided what KIND of doggie she wants?
Wish we could meet up with you this weekend for Mommy's Day, but the kids have PLANS.
I'll try to call...
Posted by: greta | 08 May 2004 at 06:39 PM
Oh you lucky girl. Lucy is one of my close friend Aimee's favorites (soon to become a favorite of mine) - she would be so jealous. I will check out the NPR piece. Oh, yes, and your bucket of chic is tre chic - one of my favorites yet. Can't wait to see the finished Charlotte....
Posted by: julia | 09 May 2004 at 10:51 AM
Happy Mother's Day Maggi!!! You are one of the BEST!
And THANK YOU for making one of the BEST Buckets I've ever seen!!!
Posted by: Bonne Marie | 09 May 2004 at 08:00 PM
I find that lots of the buckets are... well... not fabulous. But yours is FABULOUS! Seriously, I think it's the best yet, Maggi.
What a great Mother's Day story, too. I just finished reading "Wuhu Diary" by Emily Prager -- have you read it? (If not, send me an e-mail.)
Posted by: alison | 10 May 2004 at 04:06 AM
I too hadn't yet seen a bucket that (pardon the partial pun) floated my boat, but yours is really fabulous! Nice smiling picture, too.
I have a habit of finishing big wooly sweaters in April (again this year) and little lacy cotton short-sleeved things in November, so I can tell you from personal experience that you'll get to enjoy the hat ALL OVER AGAIN in the fall!
Talk to you -- maybe see you! -- soon!
Posted by: MaryB | 10 May 2004 at 02:27 PM
What a great story. It's nice to hear about someone in the public eye who is genuine! Oh, and yes, you look rather zippy in your bucket. Maybe there will be a sudden cooling trend in NC so you can wear it? If not, perhaps the wool will soak up the sweat on your brow.
Posted by: Mariko | 10 May 2004 at 05:54 PM
Your amazing bucket has a shape I wouldn't have thought possible, given my own paltry efforts. Don't get me wrong, I'm perfectly happy with 'em, but yours has...well, integrity. Stylin' brim action, nice color, too.
Posted by: mindy | 18 May 2004 at 09:09 PM
Okay I found this link looking at Fluffa's list of finished bucket hat links.
You live in Ashland? I am from ashland! Lived there for 20 years before coming to Georgia for college and staying. My parents still live in Ashaland as well.
Posted by: brandy | 28 May 2004 at 02:13 PM