This past year has been a tragic and stressful one for my California-based family. My stepmom of 35 years was given the all-clear after a mammogram only to find a lump two months later. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and after a painful battle, left us for greener pastures this December. Supporting my dad over the phone these past few months has been difficult so I’ve arranged to fly out to LA for a week to provide some comfort and a diversion.
During a recent phone conversation, my dad asked if there were any touristy things I might want to do while I’m there. Hmmm. Maybe a tour of the movie studio? What about cruising out to see the whales? Then it hit me with an excitement only compared to a sale on knitpick’s needles……….Crazy Aunt Purl lives in Los Angeles! I could hunt down visit Crazy Aunt Purl!
Purl’s name is actually Laurie. And she’s not really my aunt but I’d claim her over many of my relations. And she’s not really crazy………..she’s my imaginary bestest friend. I drink wine vicariously through her. When my husband fixes things, I silently thank Dimitri. When I fly to California, I’m packing five days worth of clothes in a carry-on bag in her honor. I hope to read her latest book on the plane. I LOVE Crazy Aunt Purl.
So how will I find her? Clues my curious friend. I believe in my heart that she knows I’m her soul-best-friend and she has left clues so that we can find each other. After extensively reading her blog (www.crazyauntpurl.com) I have put together a list of bread crumbs she has left just for me.
- She shops at the Burbank IKEA store. All I need to do is sit in the doorway of the IKEA store and look for someone who is drunk, devoid of a wedding ring, and covered in cat hair.
- She works at a bank. How many bank employees can there be that wear DKNY Cozy Wraps?
- She lives in the valley in a building full of Russian men named Dimitri. I will stand outside of all the apartment buildings yelling for Dimitri until I find it. I wonder if my bull-horn will get through airport security?
- She drives a jeep that has the roof held on by duct tape. How hard can THAT be to spot in LA?
- She talks about Spring and Flower street a lot. If I dangle alpaca and a bottle of wine I just know she’ll come running to my corner. (That, or I’ll get arrested for being a kinky prostitute.)
So there you have it. But what will I do when I find her? I will hug her, and squeeze her, and pet her, and call her George. Well, maybe we’ll just find a glass of wine somewhere, she’ll autograph my book, we’ll talk about me (since I know all about her), she’ll introduce me to all of her friends that I’ll be replacing, and we’ll get those little photos taken in one of those booths.
Disclaimer: Dear Laurie, you have nothing to fear. I will have passed through airport security three times by the time I reach LA. I am a licensed teacher and professor and have regular police background checks as a condition of my employment. I knit therefore I’m harmless…..really!
Tags: breast cancer, Crazy Aunt Purl, friend, knitting, LA
January 15, 2010 at 6:19 pm |
And, this is what happens when daughter and I have our annual Christmas cheer.
January 17, 2010 at 1:53 am |
No Aunt Purl sightings yet!