by Lynaea
on April 30, 2013
Remembering Beverly Jane, Prelude to a Series
(Remembering Beverly Jane)
This is Beverly Jane, my grandma. Whom I love. This photo was taken when she was in her 30’s, a rather revolutionary time in her life. Her boys were adolescents (she was married by fifteen, mother of two by nineteen). Her marriage was conflicted, though ultimately, she stayed in it until my grandpa died. Now, she is approaching 86. Though her small body is still trim and mostly healthy, her mind wanders, childlike and often confused, and frightened. She seems more frail, and more internal and silent, every time I see her. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on April 25, 2013
I Love My Town Best When I’m Out In It. Particularly When I’m Taking Pictures.
It’s good for me, getting out.
(It would be good for anyone, actually). Running or walking through now-familiar neighborhoods and country roads. I love the views, this pedestrian aspect of my town. On this particular day (I took these pictures several weeks ago, before willows greened up and daffodils bloomed), I could feel the promise of spring in the air. I happened upon these photos again, and thought I’d post them…both as a final goodbye to winter, and as a tribute to my town. I didn’t want to forget them…I remember the moment I took them. Exhilarated, grateful for spring. Grateful for the sometimes funky loveliness of my town.
Tangent: Today on a walk with Frank I noticed a sign for our town’s first annual Junior Miss pageant. I was a little surprised…I knew that there were still pageants for little girls, but I’d assumed they’d been grandfathered in. That the last remaining ones are a stubbornly entrenched habit, a rut society just can’t get out of? Apparently not, at least in my town. I wondered…who starts junior miss pageants? This would be fun to research I think. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on April 24, 2013
Family Stories: A Brother Visit
Daniel My Brother asked if he could visit a couple of weeks ago.
Well, of course! Visits from Daniel, specifically at our house but in general anywhere at all are too rare. I assumed we were just a stopover; a place for him to rest on his way back to my parent’s in Oregon. We are in a strategic stopover place; guaranteed to house frequent travelers.
But it turned out that Daniel drove up just to see us. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on April 23, 2013
I’m In The Pink.
This pink apron was made from two abandoned projects and an unpopular dress, in basically the same way that I’ve made other aprons. My favorite part: The sheer, sequined fabric on the bottom. It lay forgotten in my stash for just about forever. The apron could work as a skirt, if I wore skirts that short (which I don’t, unless I’m going swimming), because I made it wrap rather than tie in the back. Covering up my mistake of making it too big to tie snug. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on April 22, 2013
Since Family Stories Are Important….
I just read a NY Times article by Bruce Feiler that re-emphasized (for me) the power in storytelling…particularly family stories. Family narratives.
“Narrative” in this context is a fairly new concept to me. I knew what the word meant, I just didn’t realize my family had one. And I sometimes forget even that I have one, my very own, my personal narrative. (My personal narrative is how I explain myself to myself, using a story. Which leads me to a tangent…) [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on April 18, 2013
Signs of Spring…
Late last week, Spring blew kisses full of promise on the breeze. My family (actually, the whole neighborhood) was euphoric as more and more signs of spring emerged (like the lush green new willow leaves, and blossoming fruit trees). My brother Daniel stopped by, and Frank and I took him to Temple Square in Salt Lake…where somewhere around ten acres of gardens are in full bloom. Stunning. Frank took pictures of the temple. I took pictures of the blossoms, and people (there was a lot of wedding partying going on). And Daniel was delightful company. I’ll introduce you to him on Saturday. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on April 17, 2013
Sewing Projects: A Very Short, Seamstressy Refashioning Memoir/Tutorial: I Made a Pretty Peter Pan Blouse (With a Peplum Ruffle) From Thrifted Stuff. And Lived To Tell The Tale. Hence This Post.
You may remember the pretty pink peter pan peplum project I posted last week. (By “project”, I mean blouse…saying project makes me sound efficient, clever, and capable). I’m thinking the only possible way you wouldn’t remember my delightful peter pan peplum project/blouse is if you weren’t here. Which is unfortunate, but you’re here now. Let’s enjoy the now. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on April 15, 2013
Literary Conversation: Poetry Exchange with My Sister
The following literary attempt–a poem (“Found”)– is my response to my sister Leah’s “Of Heroes and Underwear”. Though I wrote it about seven years ago (seven is such a magical number), I’m still playing with the ending; it is a today poem for me. What is it about endings? Why are they so evasive? Anyway. Seven years ago, my youngest (of five) was still a nursing babe, and my husband was traveling for work (a lot; roughly 70% of his–and my–living, breathing hours). We lived in the country on more than three and a half acres; upon which I (dreaming big) had planted a small field of lavender and an even smaller orchard; the weeds were constantly encroaching. My dreams were fading. But the loneliest times were the bedtime ones…tucking my kids and baby and myself in. I felt…well, beyond lonely. Cold. Unseen, unknown, anonymous.
And sometimes, unimportant. [continue reading…]
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