High Tone

I've wanted to paint my kitchen for the past 4 years. It wasn't until my daughter Gwen came to visit, that I had the help to get the job done. I was counting on her substantial height to reach up into the corners of the 10 foot ceiling. You see, I'll never be getting up on a high ladder ever again in my life after the compound fracture of March 2004. So, it was with her long arms that we got the job done.

The color is overwhelming. The lady next door has it in her kitchen and I thought it looked great. Now that it's on my walls, I feel as though I'm living in a room full of granny smith apples. My color barometer is way out of whack. I'm trying to find the right combination of colors to go along with it. It's very modern. My style sense doesn't lean in that direction.

Trying to find the right window covering was the next challenge. I dragged out all of my curtains of past windows, that hung in past houses, but nothing seemed to fit. Eighty-six year old Mother Dear, spoke her piece, declaring the salmon toile was too "high tone" for that window.

In my family, curtains have always been important. Shopping for new curtains was almost as fulfilling as shopping for new shoes. Off I went to the bargain store on Main Street, parked right at the front door and found a cute little pair of white cafe curtains, imbellished with the appropriate colors and design. All for under $10. You can see, I'm living in town which has been forgotten by time. More about that another time. It's time to walk the dog.

New York Tone

Gwen will be leaving for New York in less than three weeks. Life as we have known it for the past four months, is about to change. It will feel empty for a couple of weeks. The presence of my love one in another room, will be missed. I wonder what will go on in Boodah's doggie mind. Will he realize that the scent of his newest companion has left? Of course, he'll be satisfied to get his rightful place on the couch and his favorite place on the floor at the end of the sofa back under his control. He won't have to tip toe over miscellaneous pieces of clothing, books, or pens and paper. He'll be able to just plop down like he did before she arrived. Long as Mommy's home, he'll be just fine.

As far as Grandmother and I, the memories we made this summer will carry us through and give us plenty to giggle about when we are feeling lonely. I guess we'll be getting back to playing Gin Rummy again.

Gwen has many exciting adventures ahead of her. People to meet, places to see, to be wined and dined and to be inspired by all of it. In the meantime, we'll be in our own Granny Smith kitchen waiting for her return from the Big Apple. I know she's going to get a big bite out of it!

The Initial Tone

Today, when I was walking my dog Boodah, I found a plastic bag filled with pennies and a makeup brush. It might now sound like much, but to me, awoman who listens to her intuition, it was symbolic.

I've been thrust into retirement for the moment; fortunately it coincides with one of the most crucial moments in history....the initiation of the Quantum Leap on September 18, 2007. But, I am counting the pennies in a sense. The Universe blessed me with a message...a bag full!