An Artist's View: August 2009

August 31, 2009

First Memory

This blog is the journal I've never kept.

As such, it has me always thinking. Thinking about the stories I've never told; memories that need saving, and how best to do that. I have been rummaging through old letters and photos, organizing, cataloging, and storing.....a long overdue project that is very satisfying.

Do I look like my granddaughter, Addie?

To say that I NEVER kept a journal isn't actually true. I did have one when I was young. It was white, with a thin gold leaf border and a little key. The lock was so tiny, it was more of a suggestion than a deterrent.

I put my secrets in that diary, when I could remember to. One day, I took it on a trip to our relatives' house and I left it there by accident. Of course, they had to open it and read all of my ultra personal 13 year old thoughts in order to find out who it belonged to. When they returned it to me, I was horrified. Now THEY knew that I loved Doug Huber and that I still hadn't started my period! I thought I would die. I felt so awkward the next time I saw them; I never kept a journal after that.

So when I say I never kept a journal, it is because I have successfully, till now, buried it deeper than recall into the recesses of my memory in order to prevent further emotional trauma.

The very fact that I am sharing these things now, indicates my complete recovery. I am happy to report that I am prepared to chronicle my life from beginning, to the best of my memory, to present. So here goes..........

Today, I have been thinking about my very first memory.

I was 3 years old; we lived in a rundown rental in Weaverville, CA. I was sitting under the kitchen window, playing in the dirt. My mother, watching through the window, was hand washing clothes in the sink. When she pulled the plug, all of the suds came running out of a drain pipe onto the dirt where I was playing. The thick white foam looked beautiful, winding pathways through the rich brown dirt. I made chocolate cakes, frosted in white cream and stirred cocoa swirls into vanilla parfaits.

It is a very nice memory.

Weaverville - postcard dated 1961

It would be fun to hear about your first memory...

Would you please share it in the comments?

Thank you!

August 30, 2009

So Dry I'm Spittin' Cotton

I hate the drought.

My yard used to look like this:

Now it looks like this:

Grass isn't supposed to match the house

We can water once a week......
or suffer the wrath of SAWS (San Antonio Water System).

That just isn't enough hydration.

We have broken weather records set in the 1800's for days over 100 degrees

The air conditioner is on 24/7 and

I am SICK of it!

August 29, 2009

Apple Pie Apples

We love to go out to eat.

Lots of times, while we are sitting there, we say,

"I bet I could make this."

Steve is a Master Restaurant Recipe Copier.

I am serious. He has a degree in it. A Doctorate, I think.

Today, I decided to duplicate Apple Pie Apples

From Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Step One: Refer to my ancient favorite recipe books

......and discover, I am on my own. No such recipe.

Yes, that is duct tape holding my beloved Betty Crocker together

Step Two: Wash Apples

Step Three: Assemble Ingredients:

Caramel, White Chocolate, and Granny Smith Apples

Step Four: Dip Apples in melted caramel. Chill

Step Five: Dip caramel apples in white chocolate

Sprinkle with sugar & cinnamon

Chill

Step Six: Enjoy

.....................Deeeeelish !

I am tellin' ya folks......I NAILED IT!!

August 28, 2009

Field Trip with Professor Oliverson

What do you do when you are so proud of your child that

You burst the buttons right off your jacket?

Brag, of course.

Chrissy is one week into her dream job;

Instructing at St. Philip's Junior College in San Antonio, TX.

This morning she invited me to see the campus

and Kinesiology Department, where she teaches.

It is a beautiful red brick campus with tree lined walkways.

The members of her department gave her a warm welcome.

Most of my life, my father instructed at Fresno City College; so being on Chrissy's campus felt very familiar. I have to admit, it plays with my head a little bit having a daughter grown up enough to be doing what my father did. But it felt right. When Chrissy was young, we were constantly after her to finish what she started. She silenced us a long time ago with her accomplishments and I truly respect her hard work ethic.

We had to celebrate, of course

So we headed to nearby Riverwalk

To our favorite restaurant.............Texas Land and Cattle

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I need to sew some buttons back on a jacket.

August 27, 2009

Anniversary

Meet Richard & Naomi Gibbs

My sweet parents

They met at an Air Force dance in Madison, Wisconsin.

Married 3 months later.

Three days after the wedding, Dad left for a year, to Korea.

That was love during war time.

Wedding Day - August 27, 1953 - Reno, Nevada

When he returned, I was 3 months old.

Then came:

Getting reacquainted,
completing dad's education,
and meager living.

Dad finished school and took a job teaching High School in Weaverville, CA; life got better. He went on to earn a Masters Degree and a Doctorate, instructing Economics at Fresno City College until his retirement. Dad is brilliant; able to recite facts about almost anything. He is the one you want on your team when playing Trivial Pursuit. Dad took his role as head of the household very seriously. He worked hard, taking summer school assignments and second jobs to provide us with security. He kept the house and autos repaired and always had a project going, like refinishing furniture. The desk in my office was his father's. One summer, dad refinished it and gave it to me. It is one of my treasures.

Mom was teaching dancing at Aurthur Murray Studio when they met. She is a wonderful mother. Her gift, a steadfast testimony, has never wavered. Dad was not a member of the Church, but never stood in the way of our activities in it. Every Sunday, mom sat with 4 little girls in Sacrament meeting and made sure we all attended midweek Primary and Mutual. As grown women, we all love the Gospel and have married in the Temple. She is a strong, remarkable woman. She is an excellent Interior Decorator, and even had her own shop for a few years. Mom also has incredible style....a true lady, who always carries a lace edged linen hankie.

They were blessed with 5 beautiful children, the only son, Richard, passed away from SIDS at 2 months. I was 8 years old, my sister Marsha, was 4. It was my first experience with the concept of bad things happening to good people, something life seems replete with. Much grief followed in the ensuing months. Mom became pregnant as soon as possible; the birth of Jennifer, 10 months later, helped heal the loss of Richard. Susan arrived a year later, and the family was complete.

Diane, Richard & Marsha

We had fun times growing up. My childhood memories are good. We had a boat and I became a decent water skier. I always loved it when dad would ski because he would let me drive the boat. Mom tried hard, but we nearly rolled out of the boat, laughing, when she was back there with her huge life preserver, trying to get up on those skies. We would have great picnics on the shore and go home happy and exhausted from the sun and water.

Cruise to Canada

Some of my favorite times with my parents have been since I have married, when we vacation together. We always laugh a lot when we travel. Dad relaxes and shares his clever wit. Mom is fun loving and always positive.

They attended every special event in my family's life; blessings, baptisms, recitals, and games. Always there to lend a hand; they babysat, mowed, and repaired; helped with moves and even business start-ups.

My parents are a great blessing.