I took Monday off this week to catch up on a number of chores and to attend a library benefit luncheon featuring author Louise Erdich, who wrote (among many others) "Love Medicine," "The Antelope Wife," and her latest, "The Plague ofDoves." A friend of mine was involved in the event and as I approached the table to have my book signed, she introduced me to Ms. Erdrich as the editor of BeadStyle magazine. She also mentioned that I was writing a book (on making jewelry) which was kind of embarrassing — it was as if she introduced me to Lance Armstrong and said, "You know, Cathy knows how to ride a bike."

Anyway, it turned out to be a great moment because Ms Erdrich was familiar with BeadStyle and is a fan of Native American beading in particular. She pulled out a beaded purse and mentioned she sells similar beadwork at her Minneapolis bookstore, Birchbark Books. We talked about the role of beadwork in "The Antelope Wife" and the artists who create the beads we feature in our "Beads of change" department. We talked about women saving the world one bead at a time. When I looked at my book later, I noticed she wrote "one bead at a time" under her signature.

I'm going to spend part of my Memorial Day reading  "The Plague of Doves," but what I'll be remembering is an unexpected connection made through a love of beads.