August 21 — Skip and Jackie — A new time

Dear Friends, I'm sorry that I've been absent so long. I evidently needed a little rest from writing down my thoughts and without a doubt I needed time to just feel and be with family.

The hurt I feel is still intense and the cause is certainly not yet believable, but I am making progress.

We have settled on a realistic date to gather together next month and celebrate the life of the dearest man I have ever known. We will have a very short ceremony ( the way he would like it) and move on to a joyous celebration of a life so full of pleasure and curiosity and so well lived. Thank you all for the beautiful cards, sentiments, prayers and flowers that you have been sending. I cherish them all and they certainly resinate in their similarity of descriptions of this sweet man. I've put the cards in a lovely wooden basket for all to share.

A few people have asked where a donation might be sent. Skip was a constant supporter of the non-profit I put so much of my energy into. Pacific Textile Arts is currently trying to raise the final funds toward moving some portable buildings being given to us by the Fort Bragg School District so that we may better house our fine textile arts library and have proper space to teach the children who are coming to us to learn to spin and weave. For some years Skip has hauled our mowing tractor down to Alger Street in Fort Bragg to cut the lawn in front and back of the little house that serves as our headquarters. Every year he also set up the white gazebos for the silent auction we hold in June. I would very much appreciate it if people who wish to send a donation in his name would send it to Pacific Textile Arts, 450 Alger Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437. You can read all about this project and see pictures of the youthful weavers at the Pacific Textile Arts at our website: pacifictextilearts.org Skip was a patient and loving supporter of all our projects and never complained about my obsessive behavior or sleepless nights while I've been working for this cause. He cared about this project because I cared about it. I really appreciate the gorgeous flowers that have been sent to me but there are enough now for quite a while and I know Skip would approve of sending any more "flower money" to this cause.

I invite all of Skip's friends and family to join us in our garden for a celebration of his life. It will take place Sunday, September 26 at 2:00 p.m. If locals can carpool that would be great. If you are coming from out of town don't hesitate to call me or email me for directions to our house. Also, if you need a place to stay overnight, you can find hotels, motels and B&Bs at two different sites.

1) mendocinocoast.com and 2) fortbragg.com Bill, (registered nag), thank you for your address. I have something to send you from Elena.

My family and I would like to gather with you and share some music, food and loving memories of Skip. If this all sounds too serious, don't worry, there will be some funny stories too, I guarantee. I will probably post several entries of my thoughts each week for a while. I am learning so much and find comfort in connecting with you all. Besides commenting on the blog site, you can reach me at (707)964-5279 or jwoll@mcn.org