Rose Path and Co.

Nice to meet Rachel's wonderful friends at Rose Path, where she's opening a Quilt Room. Rog helped put up a counter that will serve as a long desk for sewing machines. We joined their friends for a celebration dinner.

Groovy William Tell

On our way across the So. Calif. desert, heading home after seeing the Stanleys of San Diego, we went out to Lancaster to see/hear the Musical Road. The grooves in the road make the tune. Thanks, Dave Lopinsky, for the heads up. Hear it here. Funny!

Honda built one in Lancaster for a commercial but it wasn't the best spot so the city rebuilt it out on the way to the airport. Apparently it's one of three in the world.

San Francisco

This spring I made two trips to SF. It was good to go see the Stanleys and Ferneys, and then I went again for Paul's Sonoma Art Festival.

JR and Liz at China Beach; cousns with the nanny at the Chinatown playground; Henry paints in Sonoma.

Salem and Megan

When the Stanleys left for San Diego I was really sad to have to say good-bye. We have really missed them.

Colorado

The Blair grandkids, minus June. I'm SO glad we got to Denver to see them.

Fathers and Sons in SF

GG

Rog is good to Grandma and she likes him. They're resting after a walk near the new ball diamonds at Little Valley in St. George. We appreciate Lucia and Gary Cooper for taking care of her in Bloomington Hills.

Room in Helsinki

At this hotel, the common areas were lovely in their simplicity. I loved our view into the trees--something you get everywhere in Finland.

I especially liked the way the beds were made. The upper white layer is the duvet, with the sides folded under to make it fit on top. To sleep, of course you spread it out to its full size. The second white layer is the "mattress," covered in a clean sheet. The dust ruffle is tailored from a coarser weave. The red blankets are thick, soft fleece, manufactured in Germany.

Figasa

Grandma Daisy is gone. I think about her and miss her.  Why has it effected me so much? I didn't live near her. I didn't always agree with her. I couldn't really say we were close, whatever that means. So what is it that I'm feeling?

I can say that I learned a lot from her through the years. I appreciated her generosity and support.  More recently, she was all that remained in San Carlos to represent my married life and its roots. But there's still something else.

I think it's this: She felt like a mother figure to me--not exactly a mom, but a representative of the older generation--the wiser, more experienced vanguard. Now that she's gone, I feel like I'm IT.

(Of course, my little mother is here, but her role has changed gradually.)

Mary Pack

Our sister/sister-in-law, Mary, chose a beautiful time of year to leave this life. We're sure she will be welcoming the Resurrection. She is just one more reason we will welcome it, too!

As time goes by

I've been meaning to write this for several years. Parents teach while children are at home, but there's no clear cut formula for giving tips to children who are 30-40-50.

1. Take vitamins. You'll have to do your own research. People push everything from Noni juice to bee pollen. However, medical studies do support taking vitamin E. It really does help thinking and brain cell maintenance. It's what you get from eating salmon. In addition, women need calcium. I like a vitamin/herb supplement. I don't know which of the magic ingredients help (bee pollen? ginko?) but I like the results (from the $1 Store).

2. Exercise. At twenty we're driven to it. By thirty it's an effort. At forty, more of an effort. In the 1950's GG did sit-ups on the living room floor. I remember Great-Grandma Rachel at 90 slowly getting up and opening a drawer to put an elastic around cards. I could have done it for her quickly, but she knew she needed to keep moving. Even in bed she would lift and exercise her little legs.

3. Do Brain Exercises. Whatever works. Don't panic if you feel a little forgetful. You were forgetful when you were young, too. Great Gram again: In the rest home, she had a routine every morning of going over significant dates, everyone's names, birthdays, etc., so she wouldn't be caught looking out-of-it: "Now let's see, you're the youngest, right?"

4. Resist. Something may be telling you that you-are-what-you are at 40. You've had your chance. You're essentially done. Of course, not. You may not feel the same surge of energized enthusiasm you had earlier, but you'll have plenty to begin something new. (We had to fight off those feelings to start desktop publishing--both over 40.)

5. Groom. You know those old codgers you see with nose and ear hairs? Well. They make grooming tools. Women, too. Some can get peach fuzz later on.

6. Eat Well. Pay attention to your body. It will tell you if you're not really hungry for that extra butter or sugar. Each person is different. At some stage you might find that dairy makes you tired and you have to curb the milk and cookies. Red meat may not agree with you. Don't worry. There's still plenty of great food to eat.

Love, Mom