Jan Will Be Missed

If you read Ranch Dressing then the odds are good that you read "No Pattern Required" too. I've linked to the site a lot and think the world of the lovely ladies there and what they do. I learned yesterday morning that one of their crew, Jan aka "Sablemable" has unfortunately passed away. It's with regret that I realize that I never got to know Jan as well as I should have. She was such a sweetheart - super kind and enthusiastic - and she was truly passionate about Mid-Century charm. I didn't learn until after she passed that she was also absolutely in love with her rescue dogs and that made me wish all the more that I'd known her better.

One of her main features was called "Won't You Be My Neighbor" and she highlighted different homes around the country that were on the market and still had their period charm. You could tell that she took delight in the show-and-tell and that made those posts even more worth looking forward to. I have guest-posted a few times over there and each time, my posts were met with enthusiastic cheers by Jan. Her comments always made me feel like I was getting a big hug. She just seemed like such a cool lady and she will definitely be missed. I know that the "No Pattern Required" ladies who knew her best have big holes in their hearts today from her leaving so soon. Most of us can't help but wonder sometimes what will be said about us when we pass -what our legacy will be. When it comes to Jan, it's a pretty grand thing when those who hardly knew her and those who knew her best all say that she was kind and wonderful and good. She may not have known it at the time but she left a mark with her words and deeds.

I was trying to think of a way to memorialize her here today and though her passing is definitely heartbreaking and the world is less bright without her, I couldn't help but remember how fun and enthusiastic she always seemed about the homes and fashions and decor of her era. Jan was born in 1954 and truly got to grow up in and experience the time periods that some of us can only dream about.     When I realized that one of the most toe-tapping songs of the fifties (and of all time) was written on the very day that Jan was born, I decided that I would memorialize her by posting it.  I imagine that she's touring the beautiful ranch homes, ramblers and streamlined estates up there in Heaven and I know that whichever one she chooses for her own, it will have a great hi-fi for songs such as this. I like to picture the needle magically dropping on the record and the lyrics "put your glad rags on and join me hon" echoing through the brightly colored open front door as she laughs and taps a foot, watching her heavenly dogs run across the big, sweeping front lawn.

Here's to Jan. I wish that I'd known her better but in knowing her at all, I want to be a better person.

You can visit the remembrance of her on "No Pattern Required" here.  We here at the ranch wish peace and comfort to her family and friends - and much love to Jan for making what was already magical even more so by letting us view it all through her eyes.

Until next time,
x's and o's,
Eartha