Ups and Downs (Anne Stuart)

I'm sitting here in my recliner, my swollen and painted knee propped up in front of me (and be very glad I decided NOT to take a picture of it). Arthroscopic knee surgery last Thursday, and I'm hobbling about, unable to drive, even worse, unable to sew.

Why should "unable to sew" be so traumatic? First, because I love to sew. Second, because I just adopted a new to me Bernina to join my family of Vikings and Janomes. (I took a photo but Blogger is being recalcitrant with the uploading).

So all I can do is stare longingly at the new Bernina, which will need a name. The Viking is Berthe, for Big Bertha (I gave her younger sister, Lily, to my daughter for her 21st birthday). The Janome Gem is Gemma (not original but it works). But the Bernina will need something magnificent. Bernie is too undignified. She needs something pretty and lacy, like Allison or Leslie. She's a class, elderly lady -- a 1000 model, so nothing too hip.
Berthe is, of course, Swedish. The Bernina is Swiss, so the name can be German, Italian or French (nice of the Swiss to be multi-lingual).

Any suggestions?

It's been a tough time for a couple of friends -- one had what seemed close to a psychotic break, another nearly lost her life in a house fire (and did lose her precious dogs). Those crazy shifts I talked about last week still seem lurking, and I still alternate between being upbeat and being tearful (no, I'm not bipolar, I'm emotional). Good things, bad things, joy and sorrow, danger and safety. I guess that's what life is all about.

But I'm ready to move forward. Me and my Mac computer (Lagoud), my fancy schmancy sewing machine (Berthe) and my brand new classic Bernina.

I've got stories to tell -- serial killers and talking dogs and happy ever after. I've got quilts to make. I've got people to love.

And even though it's almost March and Vermont is bleak and cold and ugly, I'm thinking maybe spring might come after all.

So, here's your task for the week: come up with a name for the Bernina and give me some ideas for staying upbeat during the worst time of year.

That's something we could all use.