Tynecastle told me that my long-time blogging friend Helen Devries has passed away. I know that many of you also knew Helen.
Helen and I began writing to each other, both on and off the blogs, years ago. So long ago that I don’t even remember how we connected in the first place.
We were about as unlike each other as two people could be, but we shared a fondness for dogs, a delight in the random absurdities of people, and a general loathing for politicians of all stripes.
She was a unique person who, in some ways, seemed rooted in an earlier generation. She was a devoted student of history, a collector of musical oddities, a keen observer of cultures, and fierce in pointing out the foibles of her elected representatives.
Helen loved dogs, and her dream was to one day have a dog sanctuary in Costa Rica. She came close to accomplishing it before complications of government and her weakening strength got in the way. Along the way, she welcomed nine dogs into her home, and her blog posts often chronicled the riotous commotion that pack caused.
Offline, our emails consisted largely of sassing each other unmercifully.
My favorite targets were her love of cricket, an incomprehensible game, and Scottish food, which is equally incomprehensible. She always gave as good as she got, taking particular delight in criticizing my overly American version of the English language, my obliviousness to things that should have been obvious, and my insistence that Sam Adams beer and California wines are perfectly respectable adult beverages.
Did I know Helen completely? No. She was always somewhat reserved, stoic, and very much of the stiff-upper-lip school.
But I knew enough.
She was warm, generous of spirit, and kind. I counted her among my friends, and I will miss our conversations.
In Costa Rica there are nine dogs crying.
Love to hear from ya