Indian Princesses

Mom and I took a little walk down memory lane yesterday. I had just finished reading a book about the artist Georgia O’Keefe. I didn’t realize that she lived in the same area that my mother had grown up in northern New Mexico. Reading the book, brought back many faint memories of names and places that we had visited in my childhood. It also raised many questions in my mind about my grandfather, who was a photographer and was taking the same pictures that Ms. O’Keefe was painting of Indian pueblos and pottery, mountains and mesas. I felt a connection across time and space with these western artists and my mother and grandparents. In the course of our conversation, mom shared a funny story.

Georgia O’Keefe lived on the edge of the Ghost Ranch, an early “dude” ranch that catered to the rich and famous Easterners, who would come to see her work and experience desert life in the wild west. My Mom told me that her first job was at a variety store in Espanola, the nearest town, where she cut fabric when she was fourteen. She said that the owners of the Ghost Ranch would come and buy huge amounts of fabric to make “squaw dresses” for the guests. My Mom would dream of the time that she could have the means to make and wear these dresses which she considered to be the pinnacle of high fashion—after all it is what the rich women in New York were wearing. We laughed as we discussed whether or not it was politically correct to call them “squaw dresses” or not. A little google search confirms that when they are sold as vintage dresses on E-bay they are still called “Squaw dresses.”

This brought back my own memories of my first favorite dress, my “Squaw Dress,” which of course, had to be worn with a silver concho belt and beaded Indian moccasins. I also remember mom’s genuine silver concho belt. (Hmmm, it must be worth a pretty penny now, I wonder where it is?) I have so many memories of growing up in the SouthWest and Indian PowWows, where Native Americans did hoop dances, drew intricate sand paintings, displayed their black pottery and weaved wool rugs. I don’t know if time or location has not allowed my own children these memories, but it was so fun to share with Mom on “memorial day.”

A classic "Squaw Dress"

"Marge" a google image displaying her fashionable dress!

Cathy, Cheryl and Colleen fashionably dressed--notice the purse; imagine the moccasins! (Sorry Cheryl, someone had to be Jessie)

Georgia O'Keefe's home against mountains

No post about Georgia O'Keefe would be complete without a little erotica!

Party On Dudes!!

May is a big month for birthdays in our family (interpreted as September was when all the kids went back in school :-) We started the week celebrating Drew's Big Number 8--I have been a Nana for 8 years!!

Since this picture was taken one week ago-Drew has become a champion Ripster--I really have never seen anything quite like it!

Maybe we will just start calling him Hot Wheels!

Hot Wheel Jr.

Next we celebrate the "Fab Four"

Tradition!! Driver's license cakes for everyone

Maybe I should have Cheryl make me a cake of my Progressive policy--a spoonful of sugar helps the premium go down!

An act of love on Aunt Cheryl's part--our" labor" 16 years ago is nothing compared to her labor in bringing forth three cakes in one day (thank goodness Chelsea helped midwife)

"The Amazonian Sisters" playing together since 4:00 p.m.

Andy and Tauna serenading the crowd--and each other!

Somewhere over the rainbow-the sun is shining-Fortunately the rain held off long enough to party. Thank goodness for our new patio heaters!

The Bad Boys of Summer!

The Good Girls of Spring-all grown up

What would I do with my new bar-be-que without Uncle Mike--we learned that veggie burgers don't flip like beef!

There are so many more birthdays in May--Happy Birthday to my son-in law John Gregory, basking in the warmth of the Bahamas, my brother-in-law Dave Down--living on the road with Steve, my darling niece Lindsey-- turning 21 and getting ready for another summer in Spain and my nephew Adam-working hard in South Carolina. Happy Birthday everyone--whew-I need a nap!

Happy Birthday Sweet 16

Where is that little girl I carried, where is that little girl at play, I don't remember getting older when did they......(whoops, waxing a little Fiddler on the Roof) But really, time goes faster and faster and Katelyn turned sixteen.

One of our birthday traditions involves going around the table so everyone can tell what they love about the "birthday boy or girl". I thought it was interesting that besides the fact that Katelyn is so kind, everyone loves that Katelyn is so authentic. We all love that Katelyn is comfortable being Katelyn and because of that we all feel comfortable being around Katelyn. At a very young age, Katelyn knew who Katelyn was and because Katelyn doesn't seem to have much teenage angst figuring out who she is, she has a lot more time to focus on others...we all wish we were more like her...comfortable in our own skin.
The dreaded restaurant singing of "Happy Birthday"---our waiter was Zac and Karsten's friend, so along with good service and good food came the singing waiters.
Well boys, she can date and drive now, but beware, you date Katelyn and you have to deal with the "brotherhood."
Dinner with Dad followed by a little birthday shopping--was it a coincidence that she chose The Cheesecake Factory which sits right between Nordstrom and Dillards--hmmmm! No Sixteenth Birthday is complete without a little Neil Sedaka!

Peace Like a River

The mountains shall bring peace to the people Ps. 72

We went to the mountains yesterday and stopped for church in Park City. Andy has been in a "funk" for the past several days, he wouldn't go to school, work or even special needs mutual. On the way to church, he was giving us all the silent treatment. On a lovely, spring morning we found ourselves at the Shepherd of Mountains Lutheran Church. It was small, but the stained glass windows looked out over a grove of aspen trees and it was almost like having church outside. When the music started a lady brought around a basket of percussion instruments. Andy chose a stick and washboard rhythm instrument. There was music, communion and a sweet sermon on prayer. The last song though was one I had never heard called "River of God" --the river of God sets your feet a dancin'. The music, the instruments...it touched Andy's soul...it touched my soul. Andy was smiling, Andy was singing, Andy was dancing, I was smiling. We left there with a little more bounce in our steps and music in our souls. (Andy even opened our car doors and let Katelyn ride shotgun--that never happens!) Oh, the power of the word!

We spent the rest of the day taking pictures of rivers a little closer to home!

When I die, please bury me here!

The Provo river is a rushin'

Spring has only begun to sprung in the mountains!

Smokin'--

"And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount....Exodus 19:16

Andy woke me up early this morning and came into my bedroom, pulling me out of bed, "Come here," he said, "the mountain is smokin--."

Well, everything was beautiful, I have to say, there is nothing like the "earth right after rain."

I only wish I could capture the smell and the sounds on my Nikon....and with Katelyn practicing "Fur Elise" in the background, it is nothing short of heavenly. There is no place like home, there is no place like home.....

Rain, rain go away

If you can't beat it....get out your camera and try and figure out how to photograph it. I finally learned how to set the shutter speed and aperture. I just love those young, whippersnappers who are so willing to answer every question about everything you ever need to know on the internet.

But really, snow--I can photograph that without anyone's help.

P.S. Did anyone read CJane's blog today--interesting--I bet she loses sleep though.

Saturday is a special day.....

Saturday is a special day;

It's the day we get ready for summer.

We hose down the chairs and we hose down ourselves;

so we can be ready for Sunny!

We build a coop;

and we fix the fence;

We call it our get the work done day!

We plant some pot...

Whoops, we plant some pots;

So we can be happy all summer!

(And when Jake asked me why I was taking these pictures and I told him so Jessica would know what we were doing he said, "Oh, so she can be that much more happy in the Bahamas!)

And, he did a flip off the wall!