Look who showed up on our doorstep yesterday? Yep, it’s Ramble, our long-lost wandering sheep. He was a little unsure when he arrived, though. Last time we saw him, he headed off on an adventure and has spent the last 12 months travelling around the country, having a great time. But, when he left, we were living in a completely different house, so while he had our new address, he was a little uncertain.

Until we opened the door and he saw Chappy, who was so happy to see him.

We sat down over dinner and talked about what he’s done. He got to be a Junior Game Warden in Maine. Made cheese in New York. Saw the new Juniper Moon Farm in Virginia (something I haven’t even gotten to do yet). Went to Minnesota. Drove along the coast in Monterey California. Then he went to Disneyland! Had a fantastic, historically-informative time in Mystic Connecticut. Disappeared for a while, but arrived safely. New York City! Had an exciting time visiting a laboratory.

As you can imagine, all this story-telling took time. By the time he was finished, he needed a nap.

We asked him where he wanted to sleep, and he wanted nothing more than to sit in his old, comfortable spot–on top of the bookcase where we keep our DVD collection.

Does this mean his journey is over?

NO!

But, since Ramble came from Martha’s Vineyard in the first place–26 years ago, if we remember correctly–we figured he’d like another visit. So, he came back to visit with us, see his old birthplace … and come to Rhinebeck! … and then he’ll be on his way to his next stop.

Frankly, it’s good to have him back for a while.

Finally, on a completely different note–one of my Ravelry knitting friends had a personal tragedy the other day. She went for her 30-week prenatal visit and learned that her baby’s heartbeat had stopped. It’s horrible.

In an ironic bit of timing, though, October is Infant Loss Awareness Month, and so a group of us are having a KAL. You can read about it here, at Susan’s blog. The gist of it, though, is that there’s this lovely shawl pattern, Faraway, So Close whose designer is donating all proceeds from October’s sales to the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation–a very worthy cause.

As you know, I’ve never had a child of my own. I know that I have no real concept of the agony a parent feels when losing a child. One of my co-workers last year lost his first child–after a series of miscarriages–when the cord got wrapped around his neck during delivery. And, of course, I’ve told you about my long-lost twin, Susan, who died when she was only a few hours old. These tragedies are incomprehensible, but if knitting a beautiful shawl can bring some warm, cozy, fluffy comfort?

Sign me up.

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