From the Editor

Hurricane! Just the sound of this word conjures up visions of utter devastation. When I was a young girl growing up in Virginia, I experienced some powerful storms, but nothing could have prepared me for Isabel! How strange that the eye of the storm was predicted to go through both of our places in two different states. The predictions were correct. Nags Head, NC suffered utter destruction in some areas and just light damage in other sections. Parts of Beach Road have fallen into the ocean just like too many beautiful houses. Just two blocks away from the ocean, our house was fine. Our home in Petersburg, VA did not do quite as well. All was so calm and beautiful just before the hurricane - then the sky darkened, the wind appeared and soon became a roar. Holding on to a post, I stood on my front porch and watched a huge hundred-year-old tree come down. It was so strange. One would think it would be a quick snap, but it was more like an agonizing moan as the tree slowly split and fell to the ground in slow motion. It took three trees down with it but could have taken out a section of our home. Friends here have trees through roofs and cars. Many homes are demolished and our rivers have washers, stoves and furniture floating in them. I couldn't help remembering something I once read "Barn's burnt down. Now I can see the moon."

After the hurricane has been worse than the actual storm! For seven long days we had no telephone, water or power of any kind in the office nor at home. I am from a long line of pioneers, but don't think that I am cut out to be one! Small generators, powered with gasoline, don't do much for an office with nine computers! If you tried unsuccessfully to reach us, I apologize for our hiatus from the civilized world. How glad we are to be up and running again. And, as far as downed trees go --- tomorrow is another day.

Some of you know that while I was teaching at the ANG National Seminar, I was called home due to the death of my father. Your concern shown by the flowers, contributions to worthy causes in his memory, hundreds and hundreds of sympathy cards, letters, phone calls and email messages has touched me deeply and felt like a big, warm hug that helped assuage my grief. He never realized his dream to visit Israel, but now a tree in his memory has been planted there by a dear friend. My father never took a stitch in his life, but he was a defining factor in shaping the fabric of mine. He was a gentle and a quiet man who lived his entire life with honor and great dignity. It was a gracious God who took him home the same way. To the memory of my father, Roy Edward Long, I dedicate this issue.

Can you believe that the glorious holiday season is almost upon us? Our covers feature two beautiful designs for your stitching. Joan Thomasson's new design, Three Kings, is a beautiful example of the art of needlepoint. Beth Robertson's Jewel Keeper is an elegant stitchery that can be finished in many different ways. We conclude the popular series, Christmas in the City, and send kudos to Gail Sirna. As this year draws to a close, I thank you for your faithful support of this magazine and I hope your new year is filled with good health, good friends, love and laughter.

Joyce Lukomski

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Last Updated November 24, 2004