~A Letter To Heaven~

Dear Danny,

Your oldest son, Jonathan, got married on Saturday.
I know you are very proud of him. He married an angel. Her name is Ashley. She sparkles. All the time. And she really loves your son. You must have had some hand in their meeting, as I believe they are a 'match made in heaven', to be sure.

The wedding was perfect. Ashley's Great Uncle is a priest, so he said the mass. She's Italian, Dan. Isn't that something? And your wife, Kay. Well...she sparkled too, but there was a sadness I could see behind her eyes. She misses you. We all miss you, Dan.

I particularly felt your presence in that beautiful church. Joshua (youngest son) felt it too. We talked about it afterwards. There was a point during the ceremony that Jonathan caught Joshua's eye.....just for a second.....and Joshua said he was certain you were there. Watching. From heaven.

They missed their honeymoon in St. Lucia because of the winds driven by Hurricane Ike. They were really bummed. Did you have a hand in that, too, to keep your son and his new little bride safe? I bet you did!

All four of your step-children were there. With their own kids. They're all beautiful Dan, and doing so well. It's because of you, ya know. You stepped into their lives when they were all small. You raised them like they were your own. They all talked about you. They all acknowledge what you did for them.

Mom is doing 'okay'. She misses you terribly. We talk about you often. Her alzheimer's flares badly at times. But you already know that. Kathy took her pictures from the wedding on Sunday. Even yesterday when I visited her, we talked about Jonathan and Ashley, Kay, the kids.....you.

Do you hear me when I'm driving and praying and talking to you out loud? Do you see me cry when I think of you? Please know that we are all okay. Oh.....I'm a grandmother now!! I don't 'feel' old enough to be one. But I am. Who knew it would be so amazing? Jeff and Jackie have two beautiful children. You'd love them. They'd adore you.

Please say hello to dad. Let him know that I 'smell' his cigarette smoke every-once-in-a-while and I smile. I just know he's playing a lot of golf, and still cheering for the Browns and his beloved Indians. Tell him Kathy and I still sing, "Today Is Monday" and giggle. I miss him.

I love you, Dan. Kiss the angels for me, 'kay? And if God lends you his laptop....do ya think you can shoot me just one itty bitty email to let me know you're okay? Tell Him I'd really appreciate it.

Love 'From Here All The Way to Heaven',

Your Sister Carol

P.S. If there are any elves running around up there with nothing to do....can you please ask God to send them here for just 2 weeks. I could really use them, and would be ever grateful! xoxoxo

***Stop over at Pampering Beki's Blog to read other blogger's interpretations of FingerPrint Friday, that echos Stephen Curtis Chapman's song!***

~Calm After the Storm~

Once again, we have lights, water and phones, although there are still many homes in our county without power. They are now saying some of them may be out for 3 weeks. Not good.

The generator, cords and flashlights are stored safely away 'til next time'. It's so good to have a steamy cup of coffee in the morning, water to shower, and toilets that flush. We are all SO spoiled. I am very aware of that with every turn of the faucet!
I was surprised at how much I accomplished while the power was out: finished 35 more little Ragamuffin dolls, completed lots more jewelry, and began packing dolls, etc. for my first show.

My friend, Pat Reynolds, who makes the most beautiful quilted jackets and children's wear, will be doing some of the same shows I will. She called yesterday to remind me that in exactly 2 weeks, we'll be setting up for Stan Hywet's Ohio Mart. That old feeling of panic creeped back in. She has that same feeling, so I know I'm not alone!

Along with the inevitable, "Will people still buy my things?" is the oxymoron of, "Will I have enough?". It's a never-ending plethora of emotions that won't quit until the show is over....and then I'll start worrying about the next one!
Wish Upon A Star Angels are seen here, ready to be taken to Ohio Mart.

I'm off to my light-filled studio....very happy not to be sewing by candlelight! Have a glorious, 'light-filled" Thursday, in your little corner of the world!

~Pray for the People of Galveston~

I'm typing this from the library in another city. We have been without power, water and phones since Sunday.....a mere inconvenience compared to what the poor people of Texas have endured. They sent our linemen to Texas to help out. They will be back sometime this coming weekend.

We received 80 mph winds on Sunday. Our yard looks like a tornado went through it. Again, nothing compared to what Texas got. I'm certainly not complaining.

We have a generator we hook up to the sump pump, the freezer, the frig, and one lamp. I unplug the lamp to plug in the sewing machine and have gotten quite creative in finding new ways to jump all the extension cords all over the house! I had my first shower this morning at a friend's house. It felt mahhhhvelous!

So....I'm busily cutting, sewing and stuffing doll bodies. My first big show is in 2 weeks, and I can't afford to stop production now!! Not having electricity is a nuisance....but no water?? Yikes! We have to carry buckets of water from Rose Creek to flush the toilets. It takes 4 buckets to fill the bowl and tank for 1 flush. Yup....I use bathrooms elsewhere whenever I can!!

The puppies and I just visited Mom. I'll shower at her assisted living place tomorrow. Jim is showering at the health club on his way to week AFTER he heads to the gas station to fill the cans so I can keep the generator running!

So....no pictures today. Just please keep Galveston in your prayers.

~Enchanting Windows~

For a real treat, stop by Cielo's blog, The House in the Roses, today, to see all the enchanted windows other bloggers have submitted. The entries are truly enchanting. Every woman should have one place in her home she can look out, and be enchanted. Not only in her house, but in her soul. The window in my living room is my favorite. When we built this house, we had the builder box-out a double window to hold the cobalt, fenton art glass, and amber depression glass I've collected over 38 years of marriage. This is just a small part of it. I rotate the glass between windows and rooms all over the house. Mixed in are a few Royal Copenhagen and Hummel pieces. You can see that the sofa print echoes the colors of the glass.

The framed piece in the center, was a housewarming gift from my sister. She picked flowers from the perennial gardens in our previous home, preserved them and framed them under glass. It is something I treasure.

This window overlooks a beautiful room that holds several cherished antique tables, a secretary desk with all the little cubby-holes, and a baby grand piano that is played by me and both our sons....and now Ella. There are french doors separating this room from the family room. It's my favorite room here....a perfect place to curl up with a cup of coffee or tea, and a favorite book.

May you each see some kind of 'enchantment' through the window of your soul today.

~Saturday Ramblings~

~An Enchanted Window Party~

If you get a chance, stop in to Cielo's beautiful blog, The House In the Roses. She's hosting an Enchanted Window Party on Monday, September 8th. Stop by her blog to read the details.

If you're not familiar with her blog, you're missing out on seeing her gorgeous rose garden and home. Just beautiful! The photo on the left is just a small glimpse of what you'll find there.

My booth is set up in the garage right now. It's been pulled out of storage, scrubbed, and painted. It's ready for the lighting to be added and tested, as well as for all the fabrics, vintage quilts and displays to be arranged. It's like setting up a giant doll house! I always dread it....but in the end, it's so nice to know that once I arrive at a show on set-up day, I know where everything goes. Fabrics have to be treated with non-flammable solution per most show's fire regulations. There's lots to do!

A week ago today, Ella and Jackson were here. It seems like an eternity ago! The last thing we did as a family before they left, was to have a Chocolate Fondue Party. Ella adores it, and favors the strawberries and pound cake! They're her Grandma's favorites, too, although the bananas, pretzels, marshmellows, and graham crackers aren't bad either!

The coffee's brewed and the booth is a-callin'. Have a joyous weekend.....whatever you do in your little corner of the world.

~Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet Hall ~

I'm working on Halloween things this week in the studio, and creating things for Ohio Mart, which is October 2-5 at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron. It is a juried show of all hand-crafted art featuring 120 artisans. Held on the magnificent grounds of Stan Hywet Hall, in huge white tents which are strategically placed between the gardens, it's one of the finest shows in Ohio

In the past, it was one of my biggest shows....so I'm hoping I will run into lots of my past customers. I'm very excited and honored to have been invited. The jury process for this show is in person, and takes place in February. I've listed some of them in my Etsy shop. Take a peak!

~Black Abyss~

I HATE ALZHEIMER’S! Yes. I’m screaming. I HATE it and all it brings with it. HATE it. It’s a never-ending black abyss. A hole. One that leaves a void in your heart. And in a loved-one's brain.

The phone rang last nite at 6 pm. Mom’s number on the caller ID. Oh no. I had just seen her. She seldom calls. OH NO.

“Hello, Carol? I’m so glad you’re home. You know, I’m feeling so guilty. I haven’t spoken to Mom in a while, and I can’t find her number. Do you have it?”.

I gently remind her that her Mom, my Nona, passed away 32 years ago. When I was pregnant with Jeff.

Silence.

“You’re kidding!”

I reassure her that I’m not kidding. I would never do that. And I reassure her that she’s just very very tired. And that she just loves her Mother and wishes she was still here.

I wish my Mom was still here. The mom who taught me to ride a bike, how to sew, how to drive a car. The one who sewed til very late into the nite doing alterations so I could have piano lessons. The one who made all my clothes because there wasn't much money.The one who sent the three of us to college because she wanted the best for us. The mom who held my babies and cried. That one. I want her back.

For now, I will take the Mom she is now. The 'Imposter Mom'. The 'Child Mom'. The one I now have to 'mother'.

And I cry.

Please pray that they figure out what causes this dreadful abyss that is taking away people’s minds and making them into strangers to themselves and to those who love them.