The Merry Month of May

I know that it has been a while since the last post. Life has intervened. The generational sandwich has slapped itself up one side and down the other squeezing me like the PB &J between 2 slices of bread.

I moved my parents from their home of 55 years acorss state lines and into assisted living just down the street from me. It was the right time, it was the right decision, but it was and is so very hard emotionally. Their new place is beautiful and caring and I'm the one who really wants to move in. No dishes, no laundry, no grocery shopping, no housecleaning! My wise father says, don't wish your life away, it happens soon enough.

I've also been Science Geek Mom. My DD was awarded two trips to national & international science competitions again this year. I know that it was the last big hurrah for her and that there won't be any more scince fair projects (Hallelujah!), so of course I had to go too.

The photo above is of DD on the square in Santa Fe. We rented a car and drove from Albuquerque north through the mountains (it snowed in the night) for a break from all the other science geeks. We drove the Turquoise Trail along the eastern slopes of the Sandia Mountains--great beautiful barren emptiness! In Santa Fe we ate blue corn tortillas and took in the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. I was moved to tears to see the paintings I've loved and studied in books, right there before me. Her work & her country call to me. I could easily live in those mountains.

Last week DD and I were in Indianapolis for the International Science & Engineering Fair. And the best part of the fair again was not the science or the competition (yuk), but the fact that the 3 aunties came to see & support their young neice. My sister drove from Cleveland and two great aunts drove from the IN state line. Our far-flung family came together for a few hours--making memories and empowering the next generation. Really wonderfull! Pictured below is DD & DS from Cleveland. Sorry, ladies for the blurry shot!







The DH has never seen DD at any of her 3 trips to the international fair, and so the final blessing was that he joined his own aunties in this day of family pride. Needless to say, there has been precious little quilting or making art this month. I did, however, take my watercolors to NM and was inspired by all the art around me & the mountains outside my window, and so painted in the hotel room That has kept the color current and the pump primed. Thank goodness for knitting which travels well. More new socks are in the works! I'll share knitting pictures and the watercolors soon. And don't cry for me, I'm going to a monoprint workshop over the Memorial Day weekend---all by myself!