One summer, maybe 10 years ago, Käthe and I took a one day jewelry class at the Sawmill Center in Cook Forest. I had bought a pair of delicately balanced earrings at the craft market ($5, I think; someone's labor of love) and I wanted to try to make similar ones myself.

Our creative and knowledgeable instructor, who sadly lacked tact or good humor, thought my efforts only slightly less futile than my purchase was foolish; over lunch I reminded Käthe of my granddaddy Bedell's admonition: Be kind to those who offend; their shoes are most likely too tight.

Blueberry beads,
fruits of a long ago summer,
worn to match a sweater
knit with love
for one who outgrew it
even longer ago.