The linen in me in this title refers to a very passionate affection I have for fine bedding. I was a “closet” linen affectionado for quite some time – the coming out of which was a revelation to behold!!

Many years ago I spent Monday mornings with a wonderful group of artisan woman – our mentor was a sculpturist, now collage artist ann kleboe- we had writers, quilt artist karen carter, some were multi-faceted, some like me were undefined.

I loved my monday mornings with these woman. It was a remarkable way to jump start a week and it was an unleashing stepping stone for many creative parts of me.

Together and for about 3 years we worked through the books by Julie Cameron – Artist Way, Vein of Gold and my very favorite The Right to Write

In the beginning we were prompted to write morning pages – a journal excersize – write 10 minutes each and every morning.  It was at first stream of conscious writing – just write about what was there.

I had just divorced – had just landed that pathetic waitress job ( nothing against waitressing – please, my history is very proud of my waitron years) I was not in my head at a very good place. I had just launched my second child to kindergarden  All I wanted to do was sleep. ( if you have ever sent your youngest child off to school and didn’t want to crawl back under the covers – just let me know)

And so as a good and eager little student I wrote in the darn journal, in the darn morning and for at least a darn good 10 minutes

for weeks

The next layer was to reread what you wrote and highlight any prevelant themes 

hmmmmmmmm

my morning pages read a bit like this: 

i want my pillow, my bed, my cocoon of quilted goodness, please don’t make me wake up, I am tired, I am tired I want my pillow, I want to go back to bed, please don’t make me write these morning pages 

seriously

the worst part is I had NO Idea I was writing in this way 

i was in the zone pleading with my pen and paper negotiating between the reality of journaling as I had promised vs just crawling back into bed 

I also had a really big story about linen and loving it,  but never getting to have the quality of linen I felt every fine woman should have — this goes back to my first marriage

actually allow me to clarify – i was exposed then to fine bed linen and had fine linen  - I just didn’t get to pick the actual style of linen – like the pattern or color – my former mother in law did – and when I said something like ” gee – this pattern is really not my style – cuz it was not my style at all – it was HER style” I was then told how ungrateful I was  — this was a prevelant theme in my first marriage

don’t get me started

to define fine linen

and please allow me the indulgance

I grew up in “pill” city

to define: to form into small, pill-like balls, as the fuzz on a wool sweater

my mother bought horrific cheap inexpensive linen

it totally “pilled”

if ever there were ever the beginnings of a princess and the pea and me

or the idiocycrisies of a small girl who’s tolerance for everything pilled was nill

this was me

the sheets pilled, the pillow case pilled, the pajamas pilled, the blanket sortof shredded ( it was that horrific poly something) the quilt was scratchy  

it was more than I could stand

my exposure to OTHER possibilities in linen was at grandmother hanrahans house – gertrude’s – oh my gosh we are talking stunning exquisite deliciously smooth and soft linen

need I say more??

I digress

ALL I  knew is that I was missing something

When the ladies and I got to the part about sharing from our journals what we discovered I was mortified and very embarrassed

I sounded like a whiny, baby, complaining go back to bed monster

to the benefit of this group, their grace and their wisdom

they laughed at me

I was the hoot and holler of the day — my horror was their chuckle of the moment

They said to me —your a linen snob!!! Indulge yourself and go get yourself some of the good stuff!!!

GO and get what it is that you want. Get over it !!

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

and so the journey began.   

Allow me to futher declare:  As a linen snob queen of america. I buy only ALL cotton, 800 count, polished if I can find it sheets.  I learned a wonderful trick from a little B & B in milwaukee – which I am so sad to see is no longer around - where you put a flannel sheet in between two sheets and it creates this extraordinary layer – and as the flannel sheet ages it gets this ” lovey ” feeling that is indescribable. I have winter plush blankets and a mattelasse quilt — and luxurious down pillows. For decor and a decorating statement – I have pillows!! Lots of them!! AND the colors and style is exactly as I would like.

WHY am I even tell you all of this?? 

As a secret linen hound I have always wished  (OK fantasized ) to have a closet full of linen – one set for each season. OH my gosh. It would be very very martha stewart like ( and I am saying this OUTLOUD for everyone to know?  I can’t believe it ) Can you imagine having a harvest bed linen theme? Rust, sage and burnt sienna with a hint of brown to envelope one’s self in?? 

I think what set me off on this whole thought is that one of the recent catalog that came in the mail said this —are you ready???  

Ulimate 1250 Count Sheet Set ( HOLD that linen thought – have I had blinders on – consumer blinders ? Is there something even more luxurious out there than 800 count?) 

read on….woven to the exacting european standards that have produced the most exquisite sheets in the world 

are you linen
sensibilites drooling yet ?

these linen are densely woven ultra twisted ultra fine premium cotton yarns that boast a sumptuois weight and velvety hand
 
OH My gosh. Where have I been ????  Even worse I find and I feel utterly foolish …there is even 1600 count linen out there!!

What’s a linen hound like me to do??

the color of this eygyptian cotton is exquisite flickr image credit

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
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