And the winner is: Michelle! The scraps have already gone in the mail. It’s nice to send something back to Michelle given that she mailed me this delightful print not so long ago.
We got about four inches of snow yesterday, followed by rain, which made today’s walk treacherous. But! We are definitely at the time of year when you can begin to notice the lengthening of the days.
I reviewed a manuscript over a delicious lunch with a friend today. Such a nice way to do it. Not only because her memoir features a lot of personal loss, but because it’s a such an immediate and tangible thanks. I’ll have to remember that. Take your readers to lunch!
Tomorrow is my birthday. That’s me on the left. Nana Mallon in the middle. My sister on the right. I think it might’ve been the weekend of my First Communion. I can’t remember what was happening at the moment this picture was taken (it looks like Nana is pinching me? playfully, but perhaps a little too hard?), but I do remember her cautioning us against eating jelly donuts outside because the bees visiting the red tulips in the foundation beds might fly right down our throats. (Posted previously 8/16. Having trouble grabbing the link).
And after that snippet, who doesn’t need a little fairy tale? Isn’t she lovely?
It’s from “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” by Mercer Mayer. I just searched (and searched) for and couldn’t find the illustrator. Does anyone know?
I think Mercer Mayer may be both author and illustrator … and congrats to Michelle!
Hahaha live that picture of you and Nana. She probably was pinching you. She was a funny dame, and had her favorites. I was lucky, I was one of them so I never got pinched. LOL but I did bite right into a bee that landed in my pbj around that same time so maybe her warning about the donuts was sincere. Left me with a bee phobia for ages.
Happy birthday dear Dee. All the best for the year ahead with much success! Xo G
Are you kidding me about the bee??!! I always assumed it was one of her weird (almost sadistic) jokes.
Nope. It crawled into my sandwich and bit me in the mouth. An absolute nightmare. I was terrified till I moved east with my own garden. I was prone to childhood traumas.
I’m so sorry that happened to you! The mouth is so tender! but it’s wild and interesting to have a whole different way of being with that comment of Nana’s.
Ok good to know. I stuffed an envelope for you, too,
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Ps typos as always. Meant to write love that picture…
Big Congratulations Michelle … sounds and looks (your artwork is great) like you are a well deserved winner. Here in Milwaukee we are expecting a snow storm to hit overnight …. so happy I’m retired and get to look forward to spending the day playing with fabric.
I wish you had a blog. Are you on instagram, Tina?
Sorry up until a few weeks ago I still only had a flip phone … rarely used. Just got an IPhone but am having some trouble getting it set up due to forgotten password. I do think Instagram would be something for me to look into once I get my phone working …. ahhhhh baby steps.
Have a very Happy Brithday tomorrow ….
Well once you get it sorted you might be surprised how easy it is
Happy Birthday, Dee! I hope you have wonderful self-indulgent plans for yourself.
Yes, Mercer Mayer wrote & illustrated many beautiful fairy tales. Just the other day I pulled out a YA version of this story, surrounding myself in polar bears!
Thanks Hazel. A nice dinner out is already planned
Happy Birthday for tomorrow (((Dee))) the East of the Sun West of the Moon illustration is by Frederick Richardson an American illustrator (1862-1937)
Thank you Mo! I can just barely see the tops of the initials in the lower left.
Happy Birthday Dee!! Congrats Michelle!! Love hearing your old stories 🙂
Ha! I hadn’t realized there was a contest. My head has been buried in my body feeling unwell and I’ve been floating. HOW NICE to look forward to a package. I love the close ups of my drawing. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The bee story from two angles is great, so too the family photograph. Cold and damp with some sunny days and only a little snow- feels like th doldrums of February.
sorry you’re not feeling well again. February can drag for sure. Today in the Boston area we have a shining bright day. It always helps to get a day like this. Feel better! (It’s not a package. Just an envelope with paper).
About bears…see http://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2018/02/wild-marriage.html
Well, and about the very same fairy tale! How weird to have posted the exact same day. I read “East of the Sun” recap scanned the other pix. It’s lovely writing and like a small
Book in length.
Happy Birthday Dee, May today be filled with quiet joys, loving times and happy moments. Here is an Irish blessing for you:
“May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.”
(My daughter Shelley worked in Japan for 4 years and she lived in a boarding house. One of her housemates was Helen from Donegal, Ireland. Shelley told her of my love for Ireland and Helen, very kindly, sent me a book of Irish blessings.)
How nice! That blessing feels uniquely Irish, somehow. Thanks. Marti!