Stories of my friends: Catherine
You will know Catherine Albertini is nearby when you hear her laugh. Other than her sister Kristina, whose version is even more unrestrained, nobody laughs like Cat. Well, the loons, maybe.
And Catherine loves to tell stories that make her laugh, too. Occasionally they’re even true. But often they’re elaborate, silly tales about, for example, a person who walked by the coffee shop, or a stick.
Cat is always ready with a smile and a hug and a dose of the essential oil cloud that surrounds her. She can be elegant one day and mistaken for a homeless person the next.
She’s a yogi, business owner, mushroom forager, wine drinker and herbalist.
But, often, she is not seen for who she really is.
I think I made that mistake myself. Catherine was a little difficult for me to get to know, because when I thought I had her pegged, she showed a new side of herself. (Even last week, she surprised me with the perfect words when a man I liked abruptly walked out of my life.)
It’s easy to call her bubbly, generous, sweet and passionate, because she is those things, and to make assumptions that she’s not also smart, strong, deep, and knowledgeable, which she is.
But.
The Catherine I have come to be friends with is additionally wise, vocally pro-women (and periodically man-hating), intuitive, articulate, slightly judgmental (in the good way), sexy, sly and funny. I like that she’s real with me.
Me: What is one of the best stories you tell or have told?
The most recent memorable story is a hike (that my partner Kalan planned) up to Chicken Rock — a 10-mile trail near Monmouth.
Turns out the trail was traveled mainly by horse(?) and was all incline (RUDE). So, along this trail I am carrying a 30-pound pack (first pack trip of the year), and we are losing daylight, as we didn’t start till mid-afternoon. (Did I mention that we took the wrong trail to begin with?)
Kalan takes my pack from me so we can take a break. look down at the trail and notice a honeycomb. I’m so excited and then BAM! Feels like a knife is literally stabbing me. It’s a yellowjacket. Got me three times.
I holler that something is attacking me; Kalan runs over (with the two 30+ pound packs). He thinks its a bee so he pulls his knife out to remove the stinger (which isn’t there because it was a yellowjacket).
I try to help and he ends up cutting my finger, so now there’s blood.
At this point my pants come off (which, I’m not concerned about at this point who walks by, because we are the only crazy people on this trail) and I grab baking soda out of my pack (oh yeah, I carry baking soda with me always — deodorant, brushing my teeth and now bee stings).
I bandage my leg, put my pants back on and we continue to hike. A few miles later, and I find a truffle! I am so excited as it is the first truffle I have ever found (and I start getting overly happy and silently thanking the horses before us for stirring up the dirt so I can find my truffle — yes, the horses that likely pissed off the yellowjackets).
The next day when we ascend the peak we find these views that made it all worth it. To be able to share a beautiful camp space on top of a mountain with your lover is amazing.
By the way, men on horseback spy us on our second day and ask if we hiked in from the trail they were going down. We replied yes , and they looked at us like we were CRAZY!
My reply was, “Yeah I know — crazy!!! I feel like a packing mule.”
Me: Ha ha, cute. What one or two events/people/whatever have had the greatest impact on your life?
Catherine: There are so many events, people, etc., that it’s hard to narrow down.
OK, my time at Wellspring Wellness Center was a huge part of my life. My life grew in the time I was there. I found myself; I connected with so many people on so many levels — Susan was inspiring, Dana was encouraging, Kelsi was playful, Andrea opened my eyes. I began to embrace and appreciate the women who have always been there.
And the current women — women who are cultivating friendships with me — they are my sisters , my tribe. I’m also excited for all the unknown connections/encounters with women waiting for me.
Me: How do you feel about socks?
Catherine: I like socks. During the winter you usually find me going to bed with a pair and they’ll be at the bottom of the bed or on the floor the next morning. My current favorite pair is a pair of wool socks that I used for a whole weekend on a grueling hike. They saved me.
Me: How do you feel about clothes in general?
Catherine: If it’s summer I prefer to be nude. In the winter I appreciate clothes because they keep me warm. I do admire things on other people, but I have found for myself I just need something to wear, and if it looks cute then it’s a bonus.
Me: What are you plans for the future?
Catherine: Ha. I have plans to live, learn and grow. I want my life to be fun and full of stories. I will continue to cultivate my business, improve myself and deepen my relationships.
Me: Say something nice about yourself.
Catherine: I’m approachable and have a big smile that goes all the way to my eyes, which I tend to lose.
