There's an organization called Warm Up America [1] where volunteers all across America knit and/or crochet 7" x 9" squares that are then sewn or crocheted together into an afghan.

I'd like to coordinate in this vein a "Warm Up Lynn" project to boost her spirits and let her know as she begins what will most likely be a somewhat difficult and challenging recovery process how much she's loved and valued. Some ladies from the knitting circle that Lynn hosts every week will be participating and I'd like to invite Lynn's virtual friends to join in too, if you'd like.

The skinny: knit or crochet TWO 7x9 squares, you pick the color, yarn, style, whatever, one gets sewn into a lap quilt or afghan for Lynn, the other gets sewn up into an afghan for the Warm Up America project.

Lynn gets a big fiber hug from her real life and virtual buddies, gets an afghan donated in her name to a worthy cause, and her friends feel good that they could do something for her--everybody benefits. Past recipients of Warm Up America afghans include "victims of natural disasters, battered women's shelters, the homeless, and others less fortunate than ourselves."

I will volunteer to collect the squares from fellow TNHers and we ladies at Lynn's knitting circle will piece them together. The second afghan can either be donated to an appropriate local Oregon agency or to the Foundation headquarters. I think Lynn would like a local organization, or even to choose which one.

Anyway, if you'd like to "do" something for Lynn and have any kind of crafty talent, here's a chance to Warm Up Lynn and America.

If you do decide to crochet and/or knit up TWO squares, send my account a message when you're done and I'll send you my address for mailing. Or if you're on the TNH Christmas Card mailing list, my address should be on the one last passed around.

A final note: I'd like to have this done in under a month, so if you can get the squares done and mailed to me w/in two or three weeks, that'd be perfect.

I doubt we can keep this secret for long, since this IS Lynn's website and once she gets home, she's going to be logging on fairly soon after, but I'd rather give you guys the chance join in on this than keep the secret!

And keep the prayers rising and the candles glowing.