Another "Etc.", in Memory of Lily

I just got a phone call from my Mother-in-law, telling me that my husband's Aunt Lily had just passed. Having been in this family for nearly thirty years, she was my Aunt Lily, as well.

This woman was the orginal "Independent Woman"...she ran four companies in New York City, and even though she looked like a "Cupie Doll", she was tough as nails (with a heart of gold). She was the comptroller for comanies that produced safety equipment for firefighters, traffic signal lights, and who knows what else. This was in the forties and fifties, and she would regale us with stories about going up against "The Mob" (read Mafia), dealing with some pretty rough Union Bosses, and sitting at her desk at three am, wondering how to pay all the bills and keep all those people, who had families to support, working.

Every day for thirty-five years, she would drive into New York City, (my husband learned all his curse words while riding in the car with her), work well into the night, and then, go home and take care of her elderly mother and father.

My husband, and his brother were like her children, as she never had any of her own. She would dress them up in suits and ties, and they would spend the day in Manhatten, going to the Metropolitan Museum, plays on Broadway, and fine restaurants.
When any of the family had financial difficulties, it was alway she who bailed them out.

When she retired, she moved to Tennessee, to be near my mother-in-law and father-in-law...She was always cheerful, generous, and funny (although, I don't think she meant to be funny). One great story is that she and the family were in a coffee shop, which was filled with construction workers on break. She had a rather loud voice, with a wonderful Brooklyn accent, and she stated: "Last night, I cooked dinner in the crotch pot". My mother-in-law said, "Lily,it's called a crock pot"..."yeah, yeah, yeah," she replied, "the crotch pot." There were construction workers rolling on the floor with laughter...SO, for our family, it will always be "the crotch pot".

I am packing now to go to Tennessee, to pay final respects, and to stage her house for sale. My mother-in-law is 88, and it's too much for her to handle alone. I know I will be bringing home some beautiful things, as she had fine taste, and has left it all to us. Have no idea where we will put everything (or even keep it all), but one thing I will always keep and treasure is "the crotch pot".

Rest in Peace, darling Lily.

The Party's Over...

I am still waiting for my Geek to come..apparently, the entire world wants this guy, and he's so good I am willing to wait (a bit longer). Meantime, I can't upload new photos, and uploading even older ones is difficult. I chose this one because it really is me...crazy enough to climb out on a scaffolding consisting of two boards resting on ladders over a stairwell. But then, years ago, I was the one usually chosen to tie a rope around myself, and crawl out over an escalator (on a ladder laid across it) over a five-story drop - all to hang a wreath at Bloomingdale's..I am no longer THAT insane.

Today's a sad day for me...finally, time to take down the Christmas tree, put away the wreath, all the vignettes, and all the other holiday decor, and move on. I have giant Totes in my garage, and have been waiting for the weather to be a bit warmer (it is in the twenties in Texas today) so I can drag them into the house, but poor Christmas tree is not losing it's needles, but sort of caving in on itself. It is a Noble Fir, and Noble it has been...hasn't dropped nary a needle, and the scent has filled the room beautifully for a very long time. The woman from whom we bought it goes to Oregon every year and hand-picks every tree. So, next year, if you are looking for a wonderful tree, think Noble.

In the photo, I was glazing 5,000 square feet of wall (10 ft. ceilings), and couldn't reach a spot, so I took off my sock, and held the brush in my toes...my client (who has since become a dear friend, as many have) popped around the corner with her camera. I have this photo on the front of my portfolio...very classy, in overalls and a tshirt. Since that photo was taken, I have had major surgery, and the 5,000 sq.ft. jobs are over. In fact, I started glazing my little foyer two years ago, got a wrist injury (never wear high heels on cobblestone walks in Ft. Worth, Texas), and still haven't finished it. My goal is to finally do that this week.

So much of the Country is in the deep freeze at such extremes, that 20's isn't all that bad, but today, I will light a fire in the fireplace, put on Beethoven (along with a few Rolling Stones cd's to keep me moving), and move on.

I have such hope that this year will be easier...for us, for you, for all......
Happy New Year!

My Romatic Period

Terrible problems with my computer, and the geek stillhasn't returned my call...so, they say "a picture is worth a thousand words"...As a photographer, (hand-painted) and an interior designer, I went through my "Romatic Period"...Still have that love of romance, gentleness, happy endings, living with lovely in my heart, but now, I am in Texas, and my home is different...although my bedroom is my "romantic refuges".

The only photograph that isn't mine is the one of my Grandaughter, Hannah, embracing an elderly gentleman..the rest..mine.

The framed photo of the hat was one I gave to my friend, Ginna, who asked for something romantic to look at as she lay dying...

So, enough with the words..enjoy the photos.