Silver Bella Postscript

God is in the details. Jackie of the soft smile and generous heart gave me this as a gift. I have drawn and painted pears for years so I loved it, but it was a detail that caught my eye: a shrink-wrap version of one of my rubber stamps, Vintage Blouse.

The Long Hello, Part III

And here are some of my students. I wish I could have photographed them individually, but time was short.

Zita, my fellow Canadian and student -- what are the chances? What's more, she's a PhD (a medical ethicist meets a medical journalist (me, but I'm a mere MA)-- yes, what ARE the chances??

My Robin of the big, mushy heart! And my good friend Jenny Doh (yes! Jenny Doh in my class). Again, what are the chances?

Danielle, the cutie from New York. I wouldn't let her cut the lace; I styled her instead!

The three graces. Another delicious shock was to find Amy Power (centre) in my class. Suz and her sweet friend, two giving hearts.

Three generations: Mother, daughter, granddaughter!! One more time: What ARE the chances?

Jackie, in the yellow sweater, so supportive and giving she brought tears to my eyes. The flower girl is Robin's sister, Roxie.

Wendy and... Denise (Corey Amaro's cousin). Dare I say it again: What ARE the chances?

That's it for today. I must get some groceries. See you tomorrow with more.

The Long Hello, Part II

This post is about the people. Because it's the people who make or break a gathering. Silver Bella was crackling with a very good, creative, positive energy. I salute every single one of you!

Here are some of their wonderful creations. They surely outdid the teacher!

The Long Hello, Part I

I'm back from Omaha. So much is going on in my head that I can't find the words. So I'll start with the end and work my way back to Day 1 of Silver Bella.
        Yesterday I had a few hours to kill before going to the airport to catch my flight home, so I went to Second Chance antiques because I hadn't had time to do so before. I spent a while downstairs rooting around the old jewelry and textile stuff and was entertained by Sally Jean, also rooting around. Her friend pulled out a little blue box and told her she should buy it. She didn't think so. I stepped in and pointed out that the colour was Sally Jean Blue. "Put that way, I have to buy it," she said. That Sally Jean. If she could bottle her smile, it would sell very well.
         Upstairs at the cash desk waiting to pay for my little items, I overheard a conversation. Being much bolder as I grow older, I asked the customer what her name was. Annie Lockhart, she answered. There ensued an "I know you, I know you too!!!" exchange.
          When I got to Eppley Airfield, the check-in person didn't have change so I had to pay the baggage fee by credit card. I pulled out my Umbra Bungee credit card holder, and she was fascinated by it. We finished the check-in, and she asked me where I got it etc. etc. It's Canadian, I said, made by Umbra, a Canadian company. Can I get it online? she asked. I had no idea. I must have one, she said.
           Then something happened: Without thinking (I mean, a totally empty mind, so I think it was a kind of intuitive push), I emptied the thing and handed it over to her. She was shocked, I think she babbled a little. But she was very, very happy.

 It's good to leave a little happiness behind.

This morning I woke up to this! A gift from a kindred spirit, Lynn Whipple xo.