Serendipity-do-dog

Since Truvy joined our family nearly two years ago, my life has taken some serendipitous turns. Last spring while sitting in the vet office, Truvy introduced herself to a lady sitting next to us by gently nuzzling her little, black nose into the palm of the woman's hand (which happened to be holding a few treats.) The woman laughed at Truvy's boldness. She was waiting on "her Pepper". A miniature poodle whom she had shared her home and her heart with for many years. From our conversation I gathered she lived alone and did not have children of her own. Pepper was her baby. She went on to explain she had recently thrown Pepper a birthday party....her 20th. Her eyes sparkled as she talked about the fanfare, but then her voice got quiet as she explained visiting the vet had recently become a weekly endeavor. Our turn was next and so I didn't catch the woman's name, but couldn't get her or Pepper out of my head. A few days later, I contacted the vet office and told them I would like to send an encouragement card to a client of theirs (without revealing any personal information). They agreed.

A few months later I received a call from "Eleanor". Until that moment, I hadn't even known her first name. She told me she had to put Pepper down and was still grieving, but she had happened upon my card and wanted to thank me for reaching out. We talked for more than an hour. In that time I learned she was an artist. In fact, she had been painting for more than 40 years! Her mother was a water colorist like me, but she preferred to work in oils. She studied art in Italy and Spain. A world traveler. Prior to painting Eleanor worked as a real estate agent, before that she was a grade school, Spanish teacher. She recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

A few weeks before the pandemic she invited me to her home to see her work and have lunch out at one of her favorite Italian restaurants. We ended up spending the entire afternoon together...I was nearly late to pick the kids up from school. Her home decor is an Impressionist wash of pastels accented by gold frames and objects (with stories to go with) she has collected on her numerous excursions around the globe. Twelve-foot ceilings showcase her cheery landscapes. She was both surprised and thrilled to learn I also paint. She wanted to see my work. I was apprehensive, however, upon sharing with her some photos from my phone, she handed me an 8x10 framed photo. "I want you to paint my Pepper". I was honored she would entrust me to capture the essence of her pup, but definitely nervous. Her dog was everything to her. Pepper came to her from a shelter, but from day one -- immediately made herself at home. Eleanor showed me the exact spot where Pepper liked to sit on the couch while she stood at her easel. She told me she could paint for hours while Pepper remained a quiet, captive audience. She never made a peep. She never had accidents. She just wanted to be Eleanor's constant companion.

At home I struggled with her painting. My poor family suffered, too. The photo I had to work with was a blown up version of an old, 3x5 picture. It was dark and grainy and difficult to find the shapes I needed to see to capture her. I brooded over it for weeks. My difficulties compounded by the uncertainty of the pandemic, distance learning and what the future holds for our communities and our world. I set it aside. Then I sought advice from my cousin, an accomplished artist. She had some sage advice -- focus on her face. There it was -- a simple solution. I felt re-energized and ready to tackle it.

I finished the painting, but waited several days before contacting Eleanor. Although I had put in my best effort, I knew she would have very high standards and I just didn't want to disappoint her. When I arrived at her house, she was already at the door to greet me. As I stood in her entryway...both of us donning masks and feeling just a little bit awkward, I pulled out the painting and held my breath. My worries were extinguished the moment she laid eyes on "her Pepper". She was near tears...we both were. Later that evening she called to tell me all about the frame she had selected. Turns out the moment I had left her house, she had made a beeline to ArtMart. She told me she had sang all through her dinner and just talked to Pepper. She felt like she was with her in spirit. She was so happy.

Me too.

An Unforgettable Stay at Home Birthday

This year I figured Noah's 17th birthday would be more low key and without fanfare.However, on May 30th while our family celebrated Noah turning 17, a community of school and church friends, neighbors and teachers cheered for him, too!

Natalie created a scavenger hunt with clues stuffed into a fun, Dollar Tree find -- mini Lego boxes. His efforts were rewarded with a new game for his Nintendo Switch.

Next, I presented him with the incredible stack of 74 birthday cards.

74!

Cards arrived from as far as my cruise ship friends living in the U.K. to our long-time, cross-the-street, neighbor, Elaine.

Noah was speechless. I was overwhelmed by the outpour of loving cards -- many of them Star Wars themed (no two alike!), lots of sweet, handwritten notes and handmade cards depicting Noah's love of videogames, music and memes.

He received cards and gifts from...
...family members and friends near and far
...some of my high school friends I haven't seen in decades
...my overseas work friends from 25 years ago
...longtime college friends of mine
...my dental hygenist
...several of Steve's friends from work
...his orthodontist
...his retired, living out of state, 1st grade teacher
...two of his occupational therapists (heavy on the therapist. :-) )
...nearly all of his Webster Groves High School teachers and specialists
...church friends
...school friends
...Best Buddies

It took Noah more than an hour to open all of his cards. Later, his school friend, Luke, stopped by to say hello and give Noah a LEGO Star Wars painting he made himself. He and his parents have been such a light and saving grace for us in making Noah's transition from Miriam to WGHS a smooth one.

But, the love didn't stop there.

I received a message from his church youth leader, Katy, asking if she and another leader could stop by for a visit...maybe sit outside on the lawn and catch up. I was thrilled with her offer because in recent weeks, Noah had really started to feel isolated and lonely. That afternoon, four church leaders and several youths stopped by with ice cold popsicles and warm greetings. They stayed for an hour.

IT   WAS    AWESOME.  Truly.

But, there was even more...

Later in the afternoon, I received a text message from his Best Buddy, Ryan, asking if he and a few friends could do a drive-by parade.  Ryan led the two car party and as they honked and waved, he called Noah over to him to give him a mini-figure LEGO Star Wars set.

The entire day felt magical and a welcome change from the Twilight Zone, stay-at-home conditions we had been living under for months.

I can't look at the photos without tearing up as I relive the feelings felt that day. I'm disappointed I didn't capture any photos from the church group that showed up, but I guess I was having too good of a time chatting with everyone -- I forgot.

Thank you.

 It wouldn't be his birthday without a duel or two. Here he is with his buddy, Luke.

 Noah's biology teacher reached out to me to ask about Noah's favorite junk foods. He dropped off a bag of sweet and savory treats that ...as you can see from the photo, Noah was only mildly excited about.

 Noah's longtime, Star Wars loving friend, Lilia sent him birthday greetings and lightsabers fashioned from colored bands.

 A life-sized lightsaber card...when waved around it sounded like the real thing, too!

Scavenger hunt fun

Honk! Honk! It's a birthday parade.

 A double decker, chocolate chip cookie sundae cake

Growing a Good Night's Sleep

When I started school, kindergarten was only half day. Yet, in those three hours we also had recess, snacks and a resting time. It's remarkable to me how my teacher was able to teach us to read with such limited time. Dick and Jane books were a staple. It's funny what you remember and what fades away. I clearly recall the coveted "Best Rester" award. My teacher cut circles of colored construction paper and turned them into smiley faces with star sticker eyes and the words BEST RESTER neatly printed along the bottom. Each day after rest time, she would give out the award to the student who had been the quietest. I don't know how many times I won that award, but I clearly remember keeping a stack of Best Resters, more than an inch thick, in my top dresser drawer...probably til 3rd grade. I was the kid who not only rested...I often fell deeply asleep.

Unfortunately, sleep doesn't come as easy to me now.

Throughout March and April, I kept myself and the kids busy with a schedule (walk, schoolwork, bake, repeat). I rose early and went to bed late. I kept the T.V. off because the news was a Covid loop of doom which only served to heighten Noah's superpower worry abilities. This routine seemed to keep everyone in check and sleeping at night. In May, I ditched my KitchenAid and for the most part, my kitchen, in favor of digging in the dirt. My flower beds have woken up and with more time at home, Steve and I reworked the backyard and put in a pollinator garden using lots of transplants from my mom's flower garden -- coreopsis, dusty miller, angelina, lavender, verbena, coneflowers and more! Steve grew mammoth sunflowers from seed. Currently, they stand about 18" and are each encased in wire to prevent the bunnies from treating our yard as their own personal buffet. We've never been successful with bringing sunflowers to head, but perhaps this will be our year. All the rain has served to strengthen my transplants and for the first time in 10 years (actually I didn't even know it was possible) my creeping jenny has produced delicate, yellow blooms. Over several weekends we've composted, mulched and planted our little hearts out...more than 60 bags full. Steve's food garden is taking shape -- tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onion, beans, zucchini and even a watermelon. Last weekend, he built a contraption to create compost tea to naturally fertilize our plants and keep pests at bay. Gardening has become the remedy for my sleepless nights.

And for those times when I need a reminder about worrying...I think of this:

Matthew 6:34  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Sedum,stonecrop, salvia and lamb's ear

Hydrangea Steve grew from a tiny cutting. It now stands about 3 feet tall

Steve's veggie garden

Truvy did not like being separated from me...even if she could still see me from the porch. I ended up attaching her leash to my belt loop.

Volunteer growing beneath my Solomon's Seal

Pollinator garden coming along

What's for Dessert?

If you grew up in the 80's you may remember a catchy little McD's commercial..."big mac, filet o fish quarter pounder, french fries..." I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but though it has been 35 years -- I can still recite it in its entirety.

As I was thinking about this I also pondered how I use baking to cope with stress. Since we've been  under the stay at home order my oven has been working overtime. I start each day thinking "what will I have for dessert?" Dessert - typically comes at the end of the meal...at the end of a day. Maybe somewhere inside my head - my brain is trying to figure out how we can get to the end of this pandemic faster...answer: cake

My real life commercial (to the McD's tune)
shortcake, banana bread, coconut cake, brownies, carrot cake, cookies, rice treats and french silk pie!

Over the last several weeks I have made all of these confections and more!

I can barely keep track of what day it is, much less the number of days since the words pandemic and quarantine have become the most used words in our social vocabulary. When the stuff hit the fan, my family and I were 500 miles from home visiting my in-laws. On the day we arrived at their door, all gatherings over 1,000 people were cancelled -- this included the much anticipated Billie Eilish concert Natalie had been dying to see since she opened her Christmas gift. As we watched news coverage of growing Covid-19 cases and grocery stores with empty shelves -- I thought about my own home with its near empty fridge and two rolls of TP.

I remained calm.

My in-laws kept us well fed which included a steady diet of meat and potatoes with noodles....and bacon -- lots of bacon. Each morning we woke to new CDC recommendations...less than 1,000 person gatherings had been reduced to 100, then 50, then 10. We left their home with food to feed us on the road and the knowledge that things were about to get real...weird.

At home I focused my attentions on restocking our fridge and not panicking when we had to shop at three different stores to find toilet paper. The kids were technically still on spring break and though it seemed unlikely they would be returning soon, I could distract myself with household chores and walking the dog. When we got word school would become homeschool, I still didn't panic. I thought all I need to do is get everyone into a routine. I bumped up my walks with Truvy from twice to three times a day. Noah would come with us in the mornings, Nat would join Truvy and I in the afternoons (P.E. class - check). And, although walking in our neighborhood has become a sometimes tense game of human Frogger -- trying to adhere to rules of social distancing  -- we are doing it. I try to push down the pang of sadness I feel when my hello greeting is ignored and they continue walking, stoic/face forward, as if they could catch the virus by speaking to me from the other side of the street.

With everyone home...all    the    time -- I decided I was tired of dealing with the added dishes, housework and meal planning. I broke the news to the kids that "homeschool" would include Home Life classes, too. Even days Nat does the dishes and odd days Noah takes care of them. Previously they only handled dinner clean-up. On their "off dishes" days, they vacuum. Both kids have been more involved in meals...especially dessert. Previously Noah had been very opposed to doing anything in the kitchen because he couldn't stop reliving the Mug Cake Fiasco that happened several years ago. Even though it was me who had messed up. When he got to the point of putting the mug in the microwave, I told him to cook it for 5 minutes. Gah. It was supposed to only cook for 1 minute (5 minutes was the total time to prepare AND cook the cake-in-a-cup creation). But, I finally convinced him to try baking again. I told him if I made the cake, then I alone would be eating the cake. Voila! Sometimes commando parenting is in order. Anyway, over the last few weeks Noah has made PB chocolate chip Rice Krispie treats and a boxed yellow cake and dog treats for Truvy. The dog treats require pressing out the dough and forming them into shapes so it doubles as an OT session which is great because he is missing his weekly OT sessions due to Covid-19. Natalie has made brownies, cookies and skillet flat bread pizzas.

Since my art studio is also known as "the kitchen table", painting commissions have been put on the back burner as it seems there is always a hungry teen in need of my studio. Sigh. To combat this loss, I referred to some sage advice, a mentor/friend, Susan Ritland, had shared with me -- when you are feeling low, the best thing to do is find a way to help someone else. I started making artist trading cards. I began sending out my playing card-sized artworks to people I knew who were sheltering at home alone, those who were recovering from surgery or going through cancer treatments. I found the work kept me from focusing on what I had lossed or was missing -- instead I thought about all that I was grateful for -- good health, sun on my face, my flower garden waking from the winter months...and orange cake with chocolate ganache glaze.

Today is another day at home. I choose happy. Time to get out my trusty Kitchen Aid.

During our Ohio visit, Nat and her Grandma Connie made pie on Pi Day!

Noah participated in a Zoom LEGO club with CO friends.

Strawberry Shortcake recipe compliments of Sally's Baking Addiction

Sometimes nature is a ghast. Noah's homeschool art assignment

Nat's skillet flatbread pizza compliments of King Arthur Flour recipe

Easter morning. Steve made the kids bunny butt pancakes.

A Fairy Tale --  my artist trading cards...inspiration compliments of Truvy and Hershey chocolate kisses.

We celebrated Steve's birthday using my friend, Barb's recipe for French silk pie.

Hoop! There it is!

Nature eye candy

Nat made me an ATC (artist trading card) -front side

On the back side she wrote a haiku to go with the card

A cardinal decided to build her nest in the honeysuckle on our fence.

Musings From Natalie #162

I identify with Michael Jackson...my pronouns are He/He

Explore Follies...Definitely a Wise Choice

Finding teen-friendly activities that don't break the bank can be a challenge. Neither of my kids are athletic...and who am I kidding (neither are Steve and I!) but what to do with them beyond arcades like Epic 6 and Incredible Pizza (the only thing incredible being the headache I will have after spending an hour under flashing lights and annoying beeps and whirls) or sitting in a darkened theatre -- with the only interaction between us being a whispered "Pass the popcorn". None of these activities are cheap either.

Therefore I've made it a mission to revisit some of the places we have enjoyed in the past. Two weekends ago we stopped in at Laumeier Sculpture Park and were pleased to see a brand new installation. In fact, we nearly bumped into the artist (unbeknownst to us at the time) as he was exiting the Aronson Fine Arts Center after giving a presentation to Laumeier docents.

The solo exhibition of artwork by internationally acclaimed artist, Mark Dion is called Follies and consists of five sculptures and a dozen works on paper that explores the intersections between nature, science and architecture in ways that are whimsical and thought-provoking. Dion's exhibits are meant to be touched and explored. The kids and I had so much fun opening a treasure-trove of nearly 300 boxes -- consisting of decades of collecting. For all of us it became almost an addiction. After opening a few boxes we'd look at each other and say, "Ok -- just one more". No telling what you'd find. A small marble, a set of skeleton keys or maybe a feather.

Entrance into Laumeier Sculpture Park and the Dion exhibit is FREE. The exhibit will be on display now through May 24th 2020.

Deep Thoughts From Noah #98

Me: Wow! I can't believe how much the weather has changed in such a short time. It got up to 50 degrees.

Noah: What? It did not even feel like 50 degrees...it felt more like 49.