KIDS

I was taught that "kids" are baby goats and that the correct word is children. Sometimes, the expression just fits however. Monet was influenced by Whistler and Manet. Van Gogh was influenced by Cezanne and Degas. Moi, I was influenced by Kimmy, Jeree, Sean, Mary, Pat, Amy, and Susie.

Back before the time of Blackberries, the web and video games, we always had a project going in some one's basement or backyard.

We saved eggshells, dyed them, and then made mosaic pictures out of them. We held neighborhood talent shows and beauty pageants. We listened to ghost stories on the radio and taped Nixon's resignation from the TV onto a tape recorder. We did acrobats and had contests to see who could stand on their head the longest. Yep, may explain a few things. We blew eggs, filled them with cement, then peeled and painted them with colorful designs. We made our own cut outs and designed their clothes. I always thought that they were much better than the store bought ones and I was making barbie doll fashions before I could even sew. Hey, hasn't everyone stapled or taped up a hem or two at work!

And then there was the Scrapbook. During the summer that I was going into the 8th grade my parents and I were moving and I was devastated. Didn't matter that we were moving only a couple of miles away. It seemed like the end of my world to me. Then my friends stopped talking when I would walk into the room and they seemed to be "doing things" now without my involvement. I was reduced to tears. Later I learned that indeed one of their mother's commented that my friends were driving me nuts.

So, you must understand that I was totally surprised at the very unexpected "going away party" and very relieved to find that my friends had not abandoned me. The Scrapbook was the best gift of all and I have treasured it all of these years. And you have to understand that I really don't save that many things. The scrapbook is made of cardboard, fabric, and indeed lots of thoughtfulness and love.

There are some pages of pics and memories that I can't post but I think you can get the idea of how dear it is to me.