Jeannie's Journal: Why Didn't I Ever Learn to Do That?

Note: I’m writing this late at night in Iceland, while packing for a hike tomorrow to a magma-heated river flowing from the mountains. Please excuse any typos.

Hello Dear NextTriber:

I’ve been in Iceland for 4 days and I’m loving every minute. But I did have a bit of a crisis this afternoon that had me wondering about good intentions and lost time.

We met a slew of Icelandic women today—and all of them were knitters. Serious knitters. One woman created her own sublime type of yarn and showed us gorgeous samples of her work. We could not buy any of them—we could only buy the patterns and the yarn. The idea being we would make it ourselves.

We met another woman on a sheep farm overlooking Hvalfjörður fjord who was spinning her own yarn on those spinning wheels made famous by Sleeping Beauty. Later that day, after we soaked in a glorious hot spring on the shores of the fjord, we went to a shop where about 15 women were chatting and laughing as they worked their needles. A real knitting circle.

I went to talk to the women—and find out what they were making. They were so nice, and given my interest they naturally asked, “Do you knit?”

“No,” I answered earnestly, “but I want to learn.” They seemed to chuckle a bit at that response.

It was only later that I realized my comment might have sounded absurd to them. I’m almost 65. They’ve been knitting all their lives (elementary school kids learn to do it here). If I hadn’t picked up knitting by now—what have I been waiting for?

I had to ask myself the same thing—what HAVE I been waiting for? Why have I never learned to knit? It seems like a small thing, but it reminded me that time is running out. If I really want to learn to knit—it’s not like I have infinite time to do it. Not the way it felt when I was younger. “Oh, I’ll do that someday,” I used to think about knitting…and becoming a collage artist…and reading Ulysses. 

I guess what I’m coming to grips with is this: There might be things on my “one day” list I may never get to.

Am I OK with that? I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. But I do know this—it would help if they would let me buy the cool sweaters here instead of make them.

Wedding Mode

When I tied the knot the first time—in 1992—it was a semi-elopement. We gave close friends and family one week notice to join us on the Mexico border, where a justice of the peace married us in a chapel the size of a tool shed.

I never had the “full” treatment—bridal showers and all the fuss that goes along with a wedding.

So, I was floored and honored when Ellen Williams, our Paris guide and a dear friend, told me she wanted to throw a “grown up” bachelorette party for me. What a kick.

An even bigger kick is the invitation she came up with. Couldn’t love this more.

Lucie Frost Rocks

I just have to use this space to tell you about the incredible success story of my friend Lucie Frost of San Antonio, Texas. I met Lucie on a trip to San Miguel de Allende in 2019 and she quickly became dear to my heart.

She has traveled with NextTribe on maybe 10 or 11 trips (I’ve lost count). With her flawless French, she became an assistant to Ellen Williams on several of our Paris trips. In 2023, she traveled with me to Portugal to help scout that itinerary. She is good company and smart as they come.

Oh, and funny too. She published quite a few hilarious essays with us—this one being my favorite—and started working on a book and building an Instagram following with her witty observations about grammar, our common misconceptions and an array of absurdities.

Last Tuesday, her book, How the Hell Did I Not Know That, was published and it’s a scream. I couldn’t be happier for her.

NextTribe is planning publishing events for her in a few cities—including Austin and New York City. Stay tuned. In the meantime, buy the book.

Cheers—

Jeannie Ralston
Founder and CEO

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