Amazing Friends and Routine Rediscovered

I have always claimed to be so blessed by the friends I have made in my life. Some of them are only friends for a short time - a year or two - and then they wander away for a variety of reasons. They always leave me richer for having known them and whether we part in friendship or anger, I'm still grateful for their influences while we were friends. Why speak of this today? Because I received the most amazing and unexpected gift from a friend in Germany who I've never met except on-line and I had to share my good fortune.

A network of friends can make life so interesting and fun!

Hans is a jeweler of exceptional talent who I met on a chat board that both of us (and 1000's of other jewelers) belong to. For some reason or other, we clicked. At that time he was living the tropical life in Saint Martin in the Caribbean, designing and selling to tourists and living in a land where things got fixed - eventually - and bribes were a constant. Finally having saved up enough money, he and his lovely wife placed everything on ship and moved - a big move. They ended up in Dusseldorf, Germany where after extensive hunting they found and fixed up a lovely shop and opened for business. The year was a hard one - first years of business usually are, but they are finally starting to see some payback for their bravery and he is making exceptional jewelry again.

I love it! If you're in his area, check out his store -

AHM Creations in Dusseldorf, Germany

He sent me a wonderful convertible pendant/bracelet made from copper with brass and turquoise accents as a very unexpected Solstice gift and I am absolutely thrilled. For years I have lusted after his jewelry. His skills are so much above my own and his vision and design expertise is exceptional. To hold one of his pieces in my hands, I am beyond grateful. What a fantastic way to begin my New Year.

Aren't we all creatures of habit?

And, speaking of New Year, I also must say how happy I am to be back into a routine. I loved having my four days off, but sitting in my chair at my local coffee shop yesterday, eating my oatmeal and then writing more of my S-V story, it came to me that I was so happy. I am back to the treadmill, back to reasonable food, back to writing fiction every day and back to linking with my friends and e-friends throughout the world and I couldn't be happier. Darn - I guess I'm a creature of habit after all!