REST IN PEACE, KATE

An old friend of mine was killed on Wednesday. I found out about this tragedy on Friday at a payday breakfast at my job. I was in the break room consuming delicious breakfast treats, and I glanced down at the local paper and saw a picture of Kate reading to children. Since she is a retired children's librarian of great stature, I thought " Gee, now what amazing thing has she done now. ? " Then I read the headline "Two Perrot librarians Killed in Denver Crash", I read a few details of the story and collapsed in grief on the floor. I had never collapsed in grief before, but I was so taken aback by this news that I sat down on the floor and cried for a few minutes, right there in the break room in front of people who knew me only casually. I did not care. How could this be? My old friend dead?
Evidently so, she and Kathy, a friend and colleague of hers were attending a meeting in Denver. While en route to the Denver Airport in a van, when the van was sideswiped by a truck. By the time the ambulance reached the hospital they were both dead.
Kate was a light in everyone's life. Whether you were six and getting a library book on your own library card for the very first time, or if you were thirty five and going through major surgery, she instinctively knew what would make you feel better. She had a style, wit and grace that was unique. She was never at a loss for words or gestures that would make you feel special. I feel blessed that I got to bask in that light, and my heart is heavy with her tragic death.
Here is a link to one blog of other peoples memories of her and Kathy that capture their unique place in the world.

http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/?p=698

Queens For An Evening!

Last night I drove into Corona Park to attend the opening of The Queens Invitation. The Queens Museum is the old New York Pavilion of the 1964 Worlds Fair.

January 20

The days of the boy king have ended. I am happy that we now have a leader with vision. I could not stop watching the TV yesterday. Happy Inauguration Y'all.

Parents,and Friends

We saw my parents last night for dinner. I truly treasure them and hope that their good attitude continues. They are poster people for aging gracefully. I feel truly blessed to have them in my life, as sensible, pragmatic, insightful, intelligent people that still have their sense of humor.

Holding On to Possesions

I hold on to items I no longer need. They amount to clutter. Clutter clutter everywhere. I had grand plans to write more on this topic, but I must go see if my car will start before the sun goes down any further.

January Holiday Card

We arrived back from Texas and received holiday cards from old friends in the mail. It was wonderful of everyone of them since we have not sent out a seasonal card in a decade.
The card I sent out was a collage with a few pictures I took of my life from the past few years. It was the first time I used the collage feature on Picasa: It looks as if meeting Sarah Moulton at the Vendies was the highlight of my year. In fact there were many highlights of the year. These pictures are a few random ones. The young women are three of my nieces who constantly amaze me as they continue to enter the adult world. Corinne has finished her masters and is working at the Guggenheim. Leah has finished her masters and works as an urban planner. They live in NYC. Emily is a senior at Brandeis, and is planning a year of travel and skiing. The picture of the land formation is from our trip to New Mexico. It is a hoodo at Tent Rocks. There is a picture of Stewart biking this summer, and a few assorted photos of some other family gatherings. The picture of my parents who still amaze me, and a few of my many Texas and New York relatives.

Christmas in Texas

A few images of friends, family and food from my recent trip to Texas.