Artsy

Do you consider yourself to be an "artsy" person? My text string with friends recently devolved in to talk about art. One of my friends plans to take online drawing lessons. How cool is that? I must admit, the texting chatter had initially started with a rundown of our ailments - including hand arthritis! But it evolved to art talk. That's how our strings go. They are such therapy for me, especially in this isolated time.  

These texts are with my friends from childhood. At one point I lamented about how our conversations have evolved through the years! Starting with toys and playing, to boys, school ("Mrs. Harter was mean today!"), and makeup - onto relationships and then kids for some of us. We talk about lots of things nowadays like weather, family, the state of the world, and health.  Don't forget pets! It's nice that they share their furbaby pics with me.  

This week it was fun to be on a message string about hobbies that feed our creative selves. As friends of 40, 50, and for a couple even 60 years, we know each others' family trees. We talked about where in our family trees those art genes may have come from. I've got some serious art genes. Please note: I don't really know if there are "art" genes. Maybe it's nature plus nurture. I do know that some of us enjoy things that others don't. It's it grand that we're not all the same? 

 

My grandfather, Wallace Orville Bullock (we called him Bubba) was the first generation artist that I know about. As an older man, Bubba took up oil painting as a hobby. He and a friend, Louis Reinig, traveled to Omaha for art classes. I am fortunate to have one of the first paintings he did - plus two others. He was a prolific painter as his children and grandchildren all ended up with one or more of his lovely works. He painted landscapes. I remember him using pictures in magazines as models/inspiration. A whole room in their home at 909 Poplar in Atlantic served as his painting spot. It was filled with easels, canvasses and paint.  

One of Bubba's later works

Bubba's daughter, my Aunt Marty is very artsy and creative. She's collected art from around the world as she traveled with my Uncle Bill and served as a docent at the Denver Art Museum for years. Her sis, my Aunt Jeanie is a talented cross-stitcher and I remember her sewing too. 

Aunt Jeanie, Bubba, Momo with Charlie the dog

                                                                                                   Dad with Marty and Jean

I don't remember Dad (Marty and Jean's older brother) displayed any artsy talents. I fondly recall that during my folks' Florida years, he helped collect shells to spray and personalize with sharpies for each of Jud and Amy's classmates. He certainly was a snazzy dresser. And he was funny and had a way with words - crafting them into things still say today. For example, I just saw Pontiac (car) the other day and I caught myself chanting Pontiaciaciac. Why? Because that's what Dad would say. That makes me smile. 

Dad with his girls

Of my siblings, sister Cindy was identified early as the artistic one. You can bet she lorded her artsiness over me, one of little patience (and skill) for coloring and drawing. Later she majored in art education at Drake, and I benefitted from some of the projects she completed - jewelry and clay pots. Cindy still has a great sense of style that I admire - she got the gift. 

Amy did this award winning watercolor in high school

In our own family, Amy self-identified as an artist at an early age. She cranked out drawings on recycled computer paper from Paul's office from the time she could hold a marker. Amy loved creating books - she'd illustrate and I'd fill in the text. Her creativity throughout childhood was amazing. When others made posters for the science fair, she "created" one with fonts, backgrounds, and colors. It was her destiny to become some type of artist in life. Amy's fluorishing graphic design business keeps growing and changing as she adds skills. Jud has the talent of absorbing information in spongelike fashion - you want him on your trivia team. 

When my homie friends and I were texting about artistic talents, we agreed that even though some of us are not as talented when it comes to drawing or painting - that doesn't mean we shouldn't try! And, we know that everyone has talents - some are just more subtle. The nice thing is when you reach a certain age you finally have time to nurture your creative side - flower arranging, wood-working, photography, cooking, music, sewing, painting, writing, and many more that I haven't even considered. 

Or you can calm your soul by completing jigsaw puzzles while listening to books. Have a great Thanksgiving dear readers. It may not be the one you had hoped and planned for, but there is much to be thankful for. Stay safe and healthy! 

Colorado Christmas

Seven states in a week - celebrating Christmas and an ISU bowl game win. Jet-lagged with no jet. 100% worth it. Car time gave Paul and me time to discuss our plans for 2018. I'm not big on resolutions but do like to think about how I can be a better person in the coming year.

What a whirlwind of family love and Cyclone family (with family) love. As we sing when Neil Diamond sings Sweet Caroline - "So Good, So Good, So Good". We too off the Thursday before Christmas with Odie - heading south to Kansas City to avoid the icy rain and snow heading this way.

We arrived in Denver late Friday afternoon. My cousin, Amy Brownlee had us all over for a wonderful family meal including our Amy (Corey was picking his fam up at the airport), our niece Jordan and wife Jill, Aunt Marty and cousin Richard Lamm. Plus the hosts the Brownlee family - Tom, Amy and their children Kate and Matt. We had such a great time sharing a meal and chatting into the evening. 

New Address - coming up!

Saturday morning we got to see Amy and Corey's future home, a townhome they purchased in LoHi with a view of downtown. They will start moving in later this week - so exciting! Amy can't wait to begin decorating her first home. Corey's folks Jeff and Shirl were there too - as it was there turn to be with the kids for this holiday.

After the townhouse viewing, Paul and I took off for Vail. The mountain drive didn't disappoint. Vail Pass was closed not long after we drove through, as snow fell and driving conditions deteriorated. Paul was wise to deny my request to stop at the outlet mall along the route.

Our time at Cindy's was great as usual. It was our tenth Christmas in Colorado - we've been going since Amy moved there after graduating from college. We take our jobs as Kitchenettes at the annual Lefebvre Christmas Eve Party very seriously. We bake the wiener wraps, and sing Christmas Carols. Each year at the party, Bolder Lefebvre's memory and absence are so apparent. He used to do such a good Lawrence Welk show impersonation, MCing the party. In his honor, the next generation does a good job of leading the singing. Boldie taught them well! Somewhere he is proud.

On Christmas Day, we were joined by Colby's girlfriend Gretchen. The five enjoyed a wonderful morning of gift sharing. Beaver Creek and Vail depend on snow for their livelihoods. They were glad to get several inches of the white stuff while we were there. Even so, the valley needs lots more to get all the workers fully employed - running lifts and working at sites on the mountain. Paul usually skis, but opted not to this year. Gretchen and Colby went out for a few hours. Cindy and I worked on our annual jigsaw puzzle while watching Christmas movies. Perfect. Peace on Earth and family. 

That night we shared a delicious meal with our friends the Pottorffs, the Sanders and their children. It's been such fun to watch the young people grow up over the last ten years. Fine people. Our friend Frank was there. He's battling oral cancer - and as a wine rep, can't even drink wine. We were glad he could join us! Thinking of him as he continues his fight.

Our drive home through eastern Colorado and Nebraska was long, cold and fairly uneventful. One and a half days of work - and we were off again! 

  

The rest of the story

The rest of the wedding weekend was pretty fun too. Paul and I took off Wednesday afternoon. I have to admit, it was hard to concentrate at work that morning.

We arrived at Amy and Corey's new apartment in Denver before 10 a.m. It was looking pretty good, considering they were hosting a variety of groomsmen! Cool complex with a pool and grilling area.

Jud and Kara's flight arrived that morning and we collected to pick them up at Denver's Union Station downtown. They took the light rail in. Amy and her bestie Megan, Jud, Kara, Paul and I lunched at a burger joint with frosty beers that reminded me of my dad who loved icy cold Old Milwaukee. Then the girls got our nails done while the guys checked into the hotel. Meanwhile, Corey was coming back from his bachelor party in Winter Park. #notmuchsleep

That night, the meeting of the parents finally happened. We met Shirl and Jeff Park for a drink at the hotel. I'd seen lots of photos since I put together the slide show, so I felt I already knew them. We discovered we are four people so proud of our great kids. It was a mutual admiration meeting. haha. They were off to meet with family for a late supper.

We headed to "our place", Euclid Hall. It's a restaurant in downtown that has a strange menu, but we tend to gather there. Amy and Corey had time for a quick drink before they were off for supper with the Parks. I was a happy mom with my kids. Later, more family began to trickle into town - Betsy's family and then Cindy. It was a fun first night.

Friday Paul and I walked to a little restaurant called Syrup near the hotel. The hostess noticed our ISU Cyclone gear and asked if we were graduates. She is a Cyclone too! We're everywhere. The boys were off with the Kohans guys to Broncos Training Camp. They had a great time. Of course, Paul loves the Packers the best, and Jud loves America's Team - Cowboys.

Later that morning, my Aunties, Martha and Jean - along with my sisters hosted a shower for Amy at Marty's place, Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial. It was a gorgeous day and the was event complete with cousins and bridesmaids. Aunt Marty told the story of her Great Aunties (I think they were Aldrichs - their Grandma Lulu's sisters) who would collect at Bullock's Store in Atlantic. They would hold court there and the Bullock kids - Dad, Marty and Jean would be expected to stop by and "kiss the ring" of each of them.

Rachelle, Amy, Julia with James

Bride with Great Aunties Jean and Marty 

Bridey with aunties and momma

Kara and Cindy

Bride with cousins Jordan and Leslie

The best part was - no games! And the food was really good. Amy and Corey will be stocked with kitchen gadgets for a long time! After the shower, I barely had time to change into my next dress. Yes, it was a new record for me - three dresses in one weekend. The rehearsal was at the hotel, followed by the dinner at a downtown restaurant called Ignite, near the Rockies Ballpark.  

The rehearsal dinner was on a rooftop. It was nice out - with a bit of a threat of a rain.

rooftop rehearsal dinner

Saturday morning, we had a Goldsmith breakfast at the hotel. Amy stayed at the hotel that night - and she knew she wouldn't have much time to talk to people at the reception. It was a perfect time to visit  with her aunts, uncles, and cousins who traveled to Denver for the event. In the meantime, Corey was hosting 6 or 7 wedding party members at their apartment. 

Paul and sibs at wedding

Next, it was onto girl time - covered in my last blog. It's Friday today - one week later. Wish I could do it all over again! 

Favorite Christmas

We just flew in from Colorado and boy are my arms tired. Okay, not really - we drove. And by we, I mean Paul, who drove most of the way home from Vail in the snowy mountains to DSM. It was snowy in the mountains at 6 a.m. when we left - blowing too. Then, we hit Denver and thought we were home free. Not so fast said Eastern Colorado - try black ice on the road for about 80 miles off and on. Not fun. Good thing I had a trusty pilot.

It was tough to leave this morning, ending the whirlwind fabulous time with family over this special holiday.

• On Thursday Jud, wife Kara, Amy and fiancé Corey and Paul and I went to the light show at the Botanic Garden. For people like us, who didn't partake in the marijuana edibles, they sold groovy glasses that made little figures appear when you looked at the lights.



Corey and Amy will stand in this spot in August and say their vows. No goofy glasses...

• In just over eight months, Corey and Amy will be married at this very location. We can't wait! We are hoping the weather will be quite different...But not hot as hell.

Wedding reception will be in this room!

• After viewing the lights we went to Euclid Hall for supper - it's our nephew Colby's fave place. I just enjoyed soaking in being with my 5 fave people!
• Friday we hung out at the 16th Street Mall. There's a bowling alley there, those we never ended up donning the cool shoes and tossing the heavy black balls. Ping Pong and billiards were played though. Later we stopped at a deli that Amy works with (in her graphic design biz) for delicious cookies.
• That evening my Aunt Marty threw a family party at her residence. Our family, my niece Jordan and her fiancé Jill and my cousins, the Lamms, were there. It had been a while since our children had gotten to see my cousins- Amy (hubby Tom) along with their kids Kate and Matt - both students at CSU. And my cousin Richard, who entertained us with memories of Christmas past.
• After the delish meal, Aunt Marty told us about her favorite Christmas memory. A few others chimed in with their memories. I'm thinking this definitely will be added to my list of favorites!
• I'm glad my children have had a chance to get to know my auntie, and her sis Aunt Jeanie. Plus my cousins. Friday they all got to meet Amy's fella Corey. Marty had met him earlier - and had given her seal of approval. #coreymadethegrade

After the meal, Odie was happy to see the kids - her siblings! She moaned, whined and received the appropriate amount of belly rubs. The evening couldn't have been better. The next day - we were off to Vail/Beaver Creek to hang with my sis Cindo and nephew Colby. My eyes are getting awful tired and that will need to be a story for another night!

Cool casseroles

I've written about my recent visit with my fab hometown friends. You may also have seen me write of my beloved Aunt Marty, who lives in Denver. I was thinking about all these wonderful ladies lately.

Marty lives in a really nice retirement community called Holly Creek which has many of the usual amenities like a weight room, a pool along with a nice restaurants and party rooms. It also has something unusual - a radio station.

My Aunt Marty is a radio personality. Link to TV story. She interviews people who live in Holly Creek, asking them about their lives. When we stayed with her just before Christmas she was able to relate to us a couple of the residents' rich journeys. Marty also has a memory like an elephant - she never forgets. I bet the people of Holly Creek enjoy telling their stories to Marty and the other radio personalities and the folks living in the communities like hearing each others' stories.

When I was with my friends in Florida, as we hung out together, we talked a bit about our own lives. Some of us lost track of each other for some time, during our twenties and thirties. We're still catching up with each other on what we missed - happy times and sad, scary and brave. I wish we would have stayed in touch back then - so we could have supported each other as we do now, but that was then. My friends are such interesting people with rich, full lives, just like the ones at Marty's retirement community - less 25 years experience. Think how cool we'll be at that age!

My mom was great at making casseroles. She'd add various ingredients, chicken - noodles or rice, a few spices and the next thing you knew, it was a delectable meal, hot and filling. People are like casseroles, I decided on my lunchtime walk today. The casserole is good that first day - but let it sit for a while. The ingredients really mix and the spices start shining through. I guess I was hungry when I came up with the analogy but you get the picture.

Young people are beautiful and interesting - full of potential. Someday they will be lovely leftovers like me.

My baby has gone south...

After the wedding we had a visitor. No...not really. Amy can't be called a visitor, since she's our kid. But I didn't want to sit around blogging while she was at our house. After Amy left, Cindo and Bonnie arrived. So I'm a bit behind on my writing - and my Aunt Martha texted me to let me know!

Tonight, I'm in Spencer, Iowa - near Iowa's Great Lakes. If you're not from Iowa, you probably don't ever realize we have lakes that are great - natural glacial. I spent some time at the lakes (aka Okoboji) when I was a kid, at my relative's lake place - the Stewarts. Tomorrow - I won't be at the lake. I'll be at City Hall and the landfill. Not quite the same - still, I'll be digging it! Because I love my job.

My workmates - Scott, Jeff and Becky and I all went out to eat with my longtime friend Mary Faber tonight. She lives in Emmetsburg and works here in Spencer. It's always fun the see Mar - one of my fave people. Of course she won the hearts of the staties I was with!

Back to last week. Amy was hanging in WDM with us, preparing for her 5 week trip to South and Central America. She quit her job of 2 years, ready for a new challenge. The kid has been saving her cash, because she works to live - and to her livin' is travelin'! It makes her daddy and me nervous - hell yes. But we don't want her to stop being Amy. We so proud that she is brave enough to travel far and wide, and in this case - by herself for much of the trip. She is a smart traveler, and I tell myself - she could get hit by a bus in Denver, right?

With 2 of my fave peeps

On Monday, I had such a pleasant lunch when Amy and my longtime pal Robyn joined me in the East Village. She was back in Iowa from her home in Florida, visiting her Momma at Heritage House in Atlantic. I'm so pleased she takes time to see me! Such a bonus that Amy was available too! We had lunch at the Continental.

Do I look proud of my girls?

Chiya looks a little scared...we had the owner cook for us - he had a cute giggle!

I ask my Lil Sis Chiya to go out to eat with us at O'Hana's last Tuesday night. I wanted her to meet Amy, because I can't think of a better role model for her. Chiya's Grandma had her all dressed up for the occasion. While she likes Chinese food, I don't think the Japanese fare was her fave - especially when I explained to her that Amy was eating squid. She tried the shrimp appetizer, but Paul quickly got the rest. Amy was the recipient of most of her veggies. Chiya did like the virgin strawberry daiquiris, salad, rice, noodles and sesame chicken. For dessert - a chocolate shake. Amy liked it all - including her Templeton Rye Manhattan.

A couple nights Amy got together with her college pals Rachelle and Jenna. It makes my heart happy to hear those gals laugh so heartily. At one point they took photos downstairs under Paul's antlers - like they were coming out of their heads. Too funny.

All too soon, it was 4 a.m. Thursday - time to take Amy to the airport for her flight. She has texted, emailed and even blogged since she left - so that helps. Amy even met up with a friend of a friend Saturday night, in Cusco Peru, which was nice, because she sounded like she felt a bit down and lonely. The report so far - she loved Machu Picchu. She's in Lima tonight and tomorrow night - I know because she sent me the "where Amy rests her noggin" spreadsheet. I'm not sure I needed to know the names of the hostels she staying in though - like "Supertramp". Sound icky to me...

If you want to keep up on her blog: http://amygizzle.blogspot.com/

Time to get to bed - I have an audit to do tomorrow!

What I did on my Memorial Weekend vacation

We had a great trip! It really feels like many little trips, because we packed so much into a short time. Pablo and I took off about 1 PM on Thursday. We decided to stop at the Atlantic Cemetery on the way - to honor the Bullock family who have passed on, including our baby boy Patrick George, 12/2/91-12/8/91.

We stopped in Greenfield and purchased a nice planter of fresh flowers to place on his grave. When we turned in to the cemetery, we stopped at the hose to water the thing. When we stopped at the top of the hill at the Bullock plot, to hop out of the car with Odie to place the flowers, a lil old guy came buzzing up on a golf cart that was about as old as he was to say "No Pets - didn't you see the sign?" No I didn't. I've been taking pets to that cemetery for a long time. We snapped off a quick picture and put the offending wiener in the car.

Then it was back on the road again. We got to Kearney, Nebraska around 6ish. It was hot. We checked into the Microtel - a nice little place for under $60. Then it was off to our very first Cabela's - Paul's hunting supply/clothing mecca. In fact he loves it so much we have a Cabela's Black credit card - and earn points on it - so Pablo says we get "free" stuff from Cabela's. Ha! Since the olden days when we used to drag our young children to this store, they've built many huge showplace stores around the Midwest - and this one now looks small and dingy!

Fifteen years ago or so, we'd stop there on our way to Vail and we'd bargain with the kids - shop for a while and then we'd find a playground. They had eyes like hawks when it came to scoping out playgrounds! Paul found a nice pair of boots at the store Thursday - free (and he thinks I have lots of shoes...).

Friday it was on to Denver and Marczyk's where Amy works. We hung out - a clerk helped us scope out stuff for my Aunt Marty and Uncle Bill for letting us stay at their place. Bacon chocolate candy bar, chips and salsa and more! We got wine for Cindo and Boldie. When Amy came out and was properly greeted by her canine sissie we bought sandwiches and ate them in the little picnic area outside the store, then it was off to the mountains - with a shopping stop in Silverthorne at the Outlet stores where they let you take doggies into shops! How cool, said Odie.

Got to Lefebvres house in Edwards, just past Vail around 4:30 PM. Cindo was busy whipping up chocolate bread pudding. Colby, the chef fantastique was assisting. Yum! Paul started in on Coronas while Amy went for a run. I had water until switching to a vodka lemonade bevvie. We were all pretty lit by the time Bolder got home. Menu: Colbs made some French bread toasted with a fancy name chopped tomato/salsa like stuff, and another with cheese and 3 kinds of mushrooms. For supper: steak with lobster butter, broccolini, salad with a caesarlike dressing. And then the warm bread pudding with ice cream. Odie even had broccoli. Damn they can cook!

Breakfast at their fave place the next a.m. So good to see Colby - he's really turning into a nice kid. He seems so worldly too - knows a lot about a lot of stuff. Amy gets along great with him. We all wished Jud was there with us. After we took off, we stopped and shopped a bit more - Amy had the best luck. When we got to Denver we went to a huge super sports store REI - it was cool. All those sporty people.

We ate supper at a cool retro restaurant named Steubens that was walking distance from Amy's downtown apartment. I had a drink whipped up with several ingredients include lemon, raspberry? and honey - in a martini glass. The next day we did this interesting historical tour of Denver - on a corny bus that looked like a shack and whistled and neighed like a horse. It was fun and informative. Denver is sunny 300 days a year and Colorado is the 2nd fittest state behind Hawaii - and all those people were outside yesterday.

The topper of the weekend (besides seeing my fam) was last night. We had to concert - walk down memory lane. Bands of our youth - Kansas, Styx and Foreigner. I talked about them a few blogs back. We stopped at this liquor superstore and got Twisted Lemonade that I liked. We chugged 'em going into Red Rocks - slow traffic as the show was SOLD OUT! Yeah baby old people know how to rock!

Then we had to park on the road into the venue and hustle our asses up there over hill and dale - my 52 year old butt. Because of the slow traffic we could hear Kansas playing! Hurry...and there were stairs - lots of them. Jeez. I was dying. Wheezing. Found seats in the middle at the top and Amy got us bevvies - during song 2. Red Rocks looks out over the City of Denver with 2 huge red rock slabs beside you.

Kansas was very good. Styx ended up being my favorite! It was dark by the time Foreigner played and a beautiful night - I felt so lucky to be with 2 of my 3 fam members and drinking beverages overlooking Denver on a gorgeous night. I love live music! It just touches your soul somehow, and brings joy.

It was a short night at Amy's and then a long drive back home today, listening to a Lee Child novel I picked out because I knew Paul would like it.

Damn good time! I like the Denver area - not really the traffic or the big city party - but the fact that the people are so outdoorsy, and there is so much to do. It was fun to spend that much time with Amy - and I'm sure she was ready for us to go. We were ready to be home, and to sleep on our own beddy byes!