I was surprised Wednesday to receive a package of gifts from a friend in Scotland. June and I have not met, but we have a lot in common, including a love of quilting. Two years ago I was planning a visit to Scotland that was postponed, but still hope to get there and meet June.
As I opened the package, it felt like Christmas! There was a red plaid tote bag, a package of heather seeds, a tea towel with Scottish sayings and their English translations, an English quilting magazine, a tray with drawings of Scottish castles, and a very long letter and post cards bringing me up to date with the news at her house. My office work simply stopped while I opened everything and read the letters.
June has sent me some of the most wonderful calendars of Scotland. She knows I'd love to visit and see her homeland personally, so she sends bits and pieces of it to tide me over until I get there. I wish I was as clever as she is in sending gifts. I've sent quilting magazines, and a few things from Chicago, but I've been rather stymied about what to send. It hasn't occurred to me that I could send things from all over the USA, and not just from the area where I live. DUH!!
I'm open to suggestions, if you have any to share.
There were two more things in my goodie bag that have me grinning. They are coasters, but not just any coasters. The first gives the word "teuchter" and it's definition: (choo-chter) Dialect, chiefly Scot. -n 1. (trad.) one who derives from the Highlands of Scotland (a Hielander); more commonly used by city folk to describe rural dwellers. 2. Gaelic-speaker (mostly to each other) esp. at strange Gatherings known as Mods. [definitely not Rockers] Occasionally partakes of a wee dram. (also heuchter teuchter). (June, does this describe Michael??? *G*)
The second coaster just cracks me up. It's a picture of a Scottish woman from the past, in a long dress or skirt, with a plaid over-skirt or apron, and a cape, using a head strap to carry a mammoth woven basket on her back. The caption to the left of the picture says "Does ma bum look big in this?"
I've found a picture of the design that's been used on "couthie cards," which must be note cards. Scroll down to where it says "Big Bum Cards" and click on the image. Each time I see this lady I just have to grin!
June, thank you, SO much for your generosity, and for my daily grins! *G*