AMA

[susandennis]

I write this journal for me and rarely shout out directly to readers but I know you are reading :) and I'm really grateful. I've really learned a lot from people who are kind enough to comment here.

I try not to be oblique but sometimes I forget that journal readers are not in my brain. And I may actually want to go back and re-read some of this one day and I don't want to confuse myself either.

A new follower today left a lovely comment and prompted me to repeat something I have occasionally said in the past. Ask me anything. Any time. Either by note or a comment on any entry. Whether it's clarification about something I've said or something entirely different.

Just ask away. I'm happy to answer whatever.

Comments

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

I want to hear what it was like to bungee jump!! Omg!!

[susandennis]

I'm afraid my answer isn't very sexy. Turns out, for me, bungee jumping is way more impress to say you have done than to actually do. It's terrifying but is over so quickly that there's really not much to it. The strapping stuff they use is not at all comfortable and the second you realize you aren't going to die, it's all over except for getting out of all that harness stuff.

By far, the best thing was the week of great eating. And the bragging rights.

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

That makes complete sense. I can well imagine that the harness and everything is very uncomfortable!!!

[susandennis]

On the other hand... Parasailing also looks terrifying. I had a chance to do that about a decade ago and it is AMAZING!!!

About 45 seconds after your feet are lifted off the boat, you realize it is not at all terrifying. It is one of the very funnest things ever. Very comfortable, amazingly quiet and just awesome. If I ever come across an opportunity again, I will hop on it immediately.

[ticklethepear.livejournal.com]

do you ever feel bored? (enjoy your posts even though I don't comment!)

[susandennis]

Me, too... enjoy your posts and don't comment - weird, eh?

I actually don't ever get bored. Sometimes I have brief periods of 'what shall I do next?' but there is always an answer and so that's what I do.

Boredom was a fear when I was deciding whether or not to retire. Turned out, for me, to be a nothingburger!

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

I'd like to know what got you started with your bear and doll making efforts.

[susandennis]

Oh! I like that question a lot.

The bears got started in the early 90's. I had always knitted while I watched TV and I reached a point where I had enough sweaters. And hats, and gloves and so did my friends and family. I was out of stuff to knit but I still wanted to watch TV.

The AIDS epidemic was still killing people right and left and they built a beautiful AIDS hospice not far from here so I called them and asked if they were interested in hand made afghans for their patients and they said yes.

So for years - about 10 actually, I knit afghans for them. Happily, drugs got better and the need for the AIDS hospice were reduced so much that they sold it to a hospital and that hospital had strict rules about handmade gifts. Mainly, they didn't want them.

At the same time, it was a hot Summer and not conducive to knitting big hot blankets anyway. So I looked around for something smaller to knit and found teddy bears. I tried various patterns and finally cobbled together my own and soon my house was over run with bears. One of my neighbors at the time did volunteer work with the Salvation Army and she took my bears to their family crisis center.

But, after a couple of years, they closed that down and I was, once again, in a bear glut. This time I was saved by LJ. One of my LJ friends who had once lived in Seattle told me about a place she had used to donate all her kids baby clothes. I called them and asked if they wanted bears and they said YES!!

And I'm still taking them there!

Then one day, last Fall, I found a table in the free area of the garage that I just loved. I brought it upstairs and discovered it was perfect for my sewing machine which had been living in a cupboard.

With the sewing machine now readily available, I started sewing again. Soon I'd done all the mending I need and made the things I wanted like swimsuits but still I wanted to sew more so I looked around for rag doll patterns and after a couple of false starts, found the one I use today.

Meanwhile, the baby lady moved to her own agency and finally got her website up and listed among the 'donations wanted' were 'soft dolls'. So when I made the next bear delivery, I threw in the dolls.

They were a big hit and that's how we got to where we are today!

Bet you weren't expecting that long, involved an answer!!

Thanks for asking!

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

I remember you switching from swimsuits to dolls but I wasn't around for the full story of the bears, so thanks for sharing it. I love how creative you are in making the bears and dolls.

[susandennis]

Thank you. They are all such fun to make and it keeps me off the streets!