Blank...

... but not the kind of Blank you might expect.

Blake (not Blank) was my kindergarten crush. I could never get his name right so I always called him "Blank" to everyone's delight.

"Blank said this..." or "Blank did that..."

Blank. We had a good laugh about it at the reunion. He was the first classmate I saw.

He invited me over to see the house where he was holding the reunion. The hug was incredible and so was the house. The entire time spent with him was incredible.

I asked him, knowing his father was resting in the same cemetery, to help me find my parents. Despite his busy schedule preparing for the event he agreed. At 11 o'clock the next morning we met at the caretaker's office and got directions.

We came upon my mother's stone... then my father's marker. I broke down. I lost it because my siblings and I have yet to purchase my father's gravestone and it just seemed neglectful on my part. I took care of everything for my Dad up until the end and now I felt I had failed him.

I noticed the clover around Mom's grave and Blank said, "Oh look at the sweet clover by your mom's grave." I reached down and plucked one to take with me.

"Notice there isn't one by your Dad's." We broke out in laughter (my Dad was well-known by many to be a don't-you-try-to-shit-me grumpy man.) That moment of laughter was something I knew Dad would appreciate and love.

Then I noticed something bright red by Dad's marker. "That's a wild strawberry, Kelly."

Dad loved strawberries!


"You know what that means don't you?"

I looked up at Blank as he continued, "That means a bird landed on his marker and took a shit." We shared more laughter at the bittersweet reality of how wild strawberries end up where they do.

We continued on to where his father rests, on the edge of a hill beneath a beautiful tree. It had been over a year since Blank visited.

"He loved trees and they added an extra plot just to ensure he was under one"

As he squatted down to clear away the grass clippings from the granite stone. I was happy I was there for him in such a meaningful moment. He looked up, "Sometimes you wonder, don't you? As good as our parents were, do we live up to their expectations?"

Wish me Luck...

My best high school buddy called me to say she is backing out of attending the official reunion activities. I understand when the time is not right to attend a reunion.

Besides... at the last reunion she tried to do me in. It wasn't the mailbox on that cold lonely strip of county road on a rainy day she tried to take out with the passenger side rear view mirror. No, it was the grand mal seizure her husband had while driving us to dinner. I thank my lucky stars we were at a stop light behind a sturdy Ford van who's driver knew to put it in park and come back to see WTF?

I will see her Sunday though. Her parents are holding a backyard barbecue in my honor. I can't wait to see the family. They treated me as one of their own... including me in family vacations and buying me clothes when my family was struggling.

I plan to pay her dad back for the simple birth control device he shared with us one night. He walked around the room and gave each of us a quarter and advised us to hold it between our knees. It worked for a while until I spent it, along with my left over lunch money, to buy cigarettes. Shortly after that their son, my best friend's brother decided... well... we decided... um... oh... never mind! You don't want to hear that story!

So here's to planes taking off and landing safely... to seeing old crushes who have grown out if not up... to seeing my friends and all the places we used to play and to revisiting my childhood.

Cheers!

Arrived!
(updated 09/24/08 at 10:46 EST)

The flights were uneventful for the most part. On the first leg I sat next to the tallest man on the airplane. Poor dear. His knees were literally crammed into into the seat in front of him and as soon as we got up in altitude the little guy in front of him reclined his seat. I pulled up the arm rest between us and let him know he could have some of my leg room... he was grateful. My seatmates and I were like a well-oiled machine looking out for each other's comfort.

On the second leg I sat next to an environmental activist. He was really sweet. It made the trip from Chicago to Indianapolis go really fast. As is the nature of most folks from Indiana... he offered to help me with my bags and to even give me a ride to the car rental place. I graciously declined so he could get to his home and son sooner.

Hertz was overwhelmed with renters. Some folks in line ahead of me were losing their patience but the ladies behind the counter maintained their cool. Bless them... and now I am driving a cherry red Ford Focus and have never laughed harder at my "ride." Dunno why but me in a cherry red Ford Focus... c'mon...

Got to take a little ride around town before the sun set. All I can say is that I cried as the memories of times gone by came up. I saw a young mother closing the garage door at my childhood home and so wanted to jump out to help her... and tell her I grew up in that house. Figured it might freak her out so I passed on that opportunity. Maybe tomorrow I will go take a walk around the block.

A gaggle of geese greeted me as I arrived at the hotel. Geese have always represented my parents and I felt as though my Dad was near with all his WWII buddies. Honking hello to me I felt close as ever to him. Hoping to see the elusive snow white goose before I go (hi Mom!)

I have to plug Cambria Suites while I am at it. Very nice place. I hung out at the bar sipping some very expensive (expensive... not fine) Pinot Grigio and ended up meeting with a manager who is the daughter of one of my very favorite teachers. Sweet! Her Dad and my Dad both ran for public office in the same year... and as Democrats... they lost. She is going to give him my best and hopefully he will show up Saturday...

I jumped time zones from PST to EST. I hope I can fall asleep soon.

Cheers!


OMG!
(Updated 09/28/08)

I had the most amazing time... beyond words at the moment... maybe a follow up picture post is in order although there is no possible way the pics could tell it all. Special thanks to all who sent good loving energy... I felt the love and experienced all the best wishes sent my way... Once again... amazing and thank you!

Cheers and sincere love!

Kill Them With Kindness

My new bestest friend of late and I were talking not long ago. (Shelly? Are you there? Call me.) We were talking about how some people can be to be so rude in traffic. Or maybe they don't return your smile at the super market. Or maybe they don't recognize a small gesture of kindness on your behalf or laugh at your half-witted attempt at humor? You know what I am talking about.

She told me that her father (wise like mine) would tell her to stop and think before reacting to such a person. Think about what may be going on in their life right now. What may have just gone belly up for them. What crap may have just landed in their mess kit.

Maybe they just lost a beloved pet. Maybe their husband had to go on strike or worse, just learned they will lose their job. Maybe they are remembering the parents they so truly miss... or a childhood friend... or a child. Maybe their child is facing medical challenges. Maybe their only means of transportation has been taking a shit on them. Maybe they are just depressed. Or just maybe the freaking economy is putting them in a stressful situation.

Kill them with kindness. In return for the darkness you perceive, share the lightness of your being. Bask in mine.

Sending out my love and good energy to all.
My life has been deeply enriched by what you have sent me and I am forever grateful.

Vegas Baby

It is Vegas...

What happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas. I am just sayin....,

On September 11...

... in 1960 I was born!

... in 1961 this picture was taken:

Can you see that sugar high all over my cake smeared face? Yeah baby!

... in 2001 I cried all day.

... in 2008 he said, "Pack your overnight bag 'cause we are going to Vegas!"

We won two buddy passes at a charity auction last winter and if we don't use 'em we lose 'em. So why not fly somewhere and lose money instead. Makes sense... right?

Old-school-downtown-with-the-crazy-people oh how I love me some Fremont St. He will be in crap-shooting heaven. Me? When I am not filling the nickel slots with my hard earned pennies, will be poolside. I have a last-minute-you-have-to-look-sun-kissed tan to perfect before I go to my... gulp... 30 year class reunion in two weeks; but that is another post.

Woot.

The Perfect Reason...

Our office is moving! Moving from a semi-isolated strip mall hidden behind the main drag to a predominant location in a historic arts district. Changing from a storage warehouse-like atmosphere to one where 40% of our space will be dedicated to an artist studio and 60% will be a gallery/retail space. It will be so nice to have the increased foot traffic and interaction with the public.

Of course my days of working from home will now be more limited but that is fine by me. Organizing and setting up our space will be as fun as talking with people about our fantastic artists... and selling a print or two in the process.

I will be able to bring my paint supplies and work on my own projects when things are slow. Not sure how often that will happen since it has also been decided that I should take over the maintenance of our website. Yikes!

I saw this coming. I also suspect there is a brochure and booklet in our future. While I am a little nervous about stepping back in those waters I look forward to catching up on the latest software applications.

Did I mention that I am also in charge of creating a new blog? I will keep you posted.

I am so spoiled when it comes to computers. I have always been a MacIntosh user... Not that there is anything wrong with Windows PCs... it is just a personal preference. Since I can't lug my desktop back and forth to work I came up with the perfect use for those tax refunds I've been saving for the past five years...



It's a 17 inch 2.6GHz girl (don't ask me why) and she is perfect!

They Are Precious...

... and all too often not with us as long as we hoped.


Gus is my sweetest baby boy... here he is blissing out on a sweet catnip toy.











Mattie is the sassy one but here she sleeps like an angel.












Chuck is Chuck.














I am grateful for the gifts they are in my life.

I know the day will come when I must say goodbye and when that day comes I will find comfort here:

The Rainbow Bridge.

Wish You Were Here

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad. I miss you so.

OK... I am a dork

Right now... I am getting over my sadness by listening to this on iTunes while painting... in between strokes I am dancing and singing the songs at the top of my lungs.

Family... neighbors... please forgive and understand...

LOL

Sweeeeeeet Caroline! Good times never seemed so good....

Edited to add: holy crap... I have not listened to this for so long... the mandolin on Shilo... I am crying... my dorkageness is confirmed...