Brown Owls

A lifetime ago, when I was still a corporate girl and pregnant with Argy, I went for one of my regular prenatal check-ups. Everything was going well, but I commented to my obstetrician that I was feeling a little down. The grind of working long hours in a managerial job and waddling around looking 178 weeks pregnant were getting to me.

"What you need", said my lovely, down-to-earth and very direct obstetrician "is a hobby. Something where you are working with your hands. Something you can do in a group with other women. Knitting or sewing, perhaps? You girls these days don't understand the importance of doing such things."

Well pah to that I thought. I already have a hobby - its called work. I dismissed the whole idea out of hand; filing it away as old-fashioned. I thought little about her advice again until recently. Out of the workforce for three and a half years now, I've come to better understand the life part of work-life balance. So more recently, when I started to see references to Brown Owls popping up everywhere, I paid attention.

Craft. Girls. Group. And Brown Owls didn't sound at all old-fashioned.

Last night was my first visit. With my level of embroidery skill, I initially felt a little bit like a deer in headlights. But in fact it wasn't at all scary. There is something quite unique about combining the meditative quality of handiwork with the lively hum of talk and laughter. What a lovely atmosphere; what gorgeous people. Crafting heroes Pip and Kirsty, have created something very special indeed.

It was just what the doctor ordered.