Family – Dear Liza

Le Parc de la Tête d’Or

May 1

Dear Liza,

Once we had breakfast, we were ready for adventure. Grandpa Nelson had seen that the local zoo (you know he loves zoos) was at the parc just a few blocks north of us. The guidebook we had about Lyon didn’t mention it, but it looked interesting, so we wandered over.

On the way, we discovered lots of folks out selling these little bunches of flowers, called Muguettes de bois, for May Day. I bought one each for Grandpa and Bridgett, and we figured two tiny bouquets were enough to keep track of at a big park.

Since the First of May is a national holiday in France, lots and lots of people were heading to the park… families, toddlers on scoot bikes, small groups of friends… all carrying baskets, bags, even small take-away boxes from local restaurants, and blankets. I wondered what part of the park the picnic grounds were in.

It turns out, the whole park is a picnic area! It was different than in the States… no tables, barbecues, or stacked up cases of beer. No radios or other artificial music, just friends and families eating and relaxing together.

Every family on the move seemed to have a soccer ball they were slowly kicking along, scooters, or bikes. I loved how even with hundreds of people gathering, it was peaceful and quiet… less hollering parents or wailing children.

We walked through some greenhouses that protect exotic plants from Lyo ‘s cold winters, andSoon found the Zoo! Again, there were differences … the enclosures were greener, more overgrown, less tidy and raked. In other words, more like a natural habitat. Also, animals that are compatible were enclosed together. It was nice to see them hanging out!

We kept wandering and found the cafe at precisely the time I was getting hungry ( funny how that works). The cafe was right on the small lake, sheltered by Plane trees that have been here, doing just this job, for a hundred years or more.

There was also a goose who seemed to be posing for pictures on this set of steps! People would come by, their children would have a moment with the goose, and then they would part ways. It was wonderful.

Continuing through the park we saw Victorian greenhouses for the tropical plants, which varied in temperature from a bit sultry to absolutely sauna-like. We didn’t stay long, or we would have been poached!

And just about the time we were running out of energy, we had walked our way around the park and back to the entrance. Back through the neighborhood and to our apartment on Rue Cuvier.

Le Parc de la Tête d’Or is a jewel, and shame on the guidebook for leaving it out!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Bringing Christmas Inside

Dear Liza,

We headed over to the Belmont Boys Christmas Tree lot the other day, and, as always, Lawrence helped us find a fine 7 foot Nordman. The day was really cold and a bit breezy, so we made our choice quickly, got the tree on the car, and headed for home.

Because the tree is so tall and thin, Bridgett named it Slim. Grandpa Nelson put the lights on, bringing Slim to life.

Next… well, you see those two boxes stacked up? Those are Christmas tree decorations! So that’s what came next.

The first decoration to go up was part of the Ugly Duckling set that your Mommy Olga helped me pick out at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense.

It was a gift for Bridgett, who loves the story. Now, she loves the ornaments, too!

Another ornament we got in Denmark was this felt Viking ship. They are sweet Vikings, more fluffy than fierce.

I love that our ornaments bring distant friends close. This Santa rubber duckie reminds us of Kitty, Mike, Isaac and Rhys, who are celebrating in Ireland this year.

And some ornaments even travel through time. This fragile pine cone belonged to my Momma years before I was born, and now it lives with all my new friends helping our tree tell our story.

Happy Seasoning!!

Love,
Grandma Judy

Farewell Dear Mousie

Dear Liza,

*This letter is about a sad time. I have included photos from happy times.*

Our sweet cat, Mouse, died July 3rd. Grandpa Nelson and I were away visiting family, and Auntie Bridgett was home caring for her.

Mouse had been sick for a few months, and had gotten a diagnosis of Lymphoma last month. We knew she wasn’t feeling well. She was slower to get around, fussier at her food dish, and less eager for lap time.

And one day while we were gone, Auntie Bridgett knew it was time to let her go. Mouse had been sicker and not able to eat. Out of love and compassion for our dear fur friend, Auntie Bridgett called the Humane Society.

Before they arrived, she called us, and we got to see Mouse one more time. We all cried and said our last goodbyes to Mouse and sent our long-distance love and sympathy to Auntie Bridgett.

Marie was the kind lady they sent out. She met Mouse and saw how sick she was. While Auntie Bridgett held Mouse in her lap, Marie gave Mouse a sedative, and then the medicine that let her slide out of pain and into oblivion.

Marie snipped a bit of fur from Mouse’s back as a keepsake, and gently took her mortal remains away in a box. Auntie Bridgett had some very hard days for a while.

Grandpa Nelson and I got home a week later, and had our own hard time getting used to life without Mouse. No silly kitten waking us up by walking over our tummies; no paw ringing the bell to be let in or out of the balcony; no thieving kitten to hide our toast from. It is a less silly, less fun household, to be sure.

Farewell, sweet, silly Mouse. We will miss you.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Bees and Birthdays

Dear Liza,

This past Friday was busy around here. It was Grandpa Nelson’s birthday AND First Friday at SideStreet Arts, where Auntie Bridgett was having a show.

The first part of the day was for presents and quiet puzzles. Grandpa enjoyed his refurbished clock and a gift card from Donna.

Later, we headed up to the gallery to see Bridgett’s art, along with the four other artists featured in the Love Buzz show. It was a chilly, drizzly evening, so the crowd was small. But the artwork was beautiful (and so was Auntie Bridgett).

She had paintings, moleskin sketchbooks, zines, buttons, and all sorts of adorable bits for sale. Her fellow artists Jackie McIntyre, Lea Barozzi, Michelle Gallagher and Brenda Scott and were showing paintings, ceramics, and collage works.

I think it is impossible to see bees and be sad. The colors and movement in the show even brightened the grey evening outside.

Grandpa Nelson and I visited with the artists for a while, then walked around the corner to Ankeny Tap and Table for his birthday dinner. Yummy sliders (my first actual beef in over a year… amazingly delicious) , French Fries, good conversation and a glass of red wine made for a fine celebration.

We waved at Bridgett as we headed home, walking quickly as the rain had started in earnest.
Love,

Grandma Judy

Viking Quest Story

Dear Liza,

Along with the Crazy Quilt, I have been working on a new Adventure Grandma Story. It’s going to be bigger, better, and more complicated than the first one.

The first story was just you (Liza) and me (Grandma Judy) on a cycling trip around Denmark. We found Viking history, bog men, and learned a little about what we were made of. I enjoyed writing it and, even more, listening to you read it!

This one has an expanded cast of you, me, Cousin Kestrel and Auntie Katie, and a supporting cast of your Daddy David, Cousin Jasper, Momma Olga, and Grandpa Nelson. We are all involved in a Scavenger Hunt Quest to learn about the Vikings and their place in Danish History.

I have been having great fun doing research for the story…. Where did the Vikings go? How did they get there? How should WE get there? What sort of games can we play? I’m learning about train lines, ferry schedules, and ancient burial mounds.

Since this story covers more ground, it will take longer to write and probably won’t be done by our next visit. But be assured that I am pushing it forward everyday.

Love,

Grandma Judy

All the Moms

Dear Liza,

I wanted to take today to acknowledge the Moms in the family.

This is my Momma. She lived for her family and her garden and had lots of adventures with my Dad; camping, traveling, helping people, and making friends. After Daddy passed, she continued her adventures for another 15 years.

Here is your Auntie Katie. She has had adventures in Europe, New York, at Burning Man, and here in Portland. She got to be a Momma herself and then opened her incredible book shop, Books with Pictures. She has built her life, and her community, as a place where everyone is welcome. She amazes me every day.

Here is your Momma, Olga. She started her adventures in Moscow, Russia, where she studied hard and became a doctor. She moved to the United States, then to California, and met your Daddy David. After tango-ing together they fell in love, got married, and had YOU. She continues her adventures as a fabulous teacher while getting ready for whatever-happens-next.

And then there is me. The oldest female in the family, Teddy Bear Picniker , and ready for the next adventure.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Unexpected Family

Dear Liza,

This spring, our family lost several dear members. My Auntie Bea, her baby brother (my Uncle Rodney), and his wife Barbara all passed away. They had been sick for a while and it was not unexpected. Still, a big part of our family history went with them.

My Aunt Veralene, the baby of the family, is all that is left of that generation. Of my own generation, there are still many cousins with us. And the other day, I met a new one! I will explain.

Uncle Rodney and Aunt Barbara had one son, Mike. He was about 15 years younger than me, so we didn’t know each other well. He grew up, got married, and had children, and I was only dimly aware of it. He got divorced and married again and had another child. And then, tragically, when that child, Mykie, was 17, Mike passed away.

This spring, when Rodney and Barbara passed away, I got in contact with their daughter -in-law, my cousin Mike’s widow, Dawna. We chatted online back and forth as she was trying to clear up the stacks of paperwork that happen when folks die. Quite a while had passed since we talked.

Then, out of the blue, I woke up this week wondering how she was, and sent her a text.

It turned out that she was bringing her child, Mykie, who is now a young adult, up to Portland for a doctor’s visit this week. I asked if we could meet somewhere.

Happily, it worked out. The two of them drove across town and met me at Laurelhurst Park, and we got to visit, exchange philosophies and family stories, and get to know each other. They brought Mykie’s cat, Juney, who travels with them in a backpack that is like a mobile home. He was so excited to be outside!

One of the kids at the park was pretty excited, too. He came over to visit and we all had a laugh.

After a while we hugged and said good-bye, and I headed off to meet Grandpa Nelson and Auntie Bridgett for pizza. I am really happy to have this new cousin in my life!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Day After Thanks

Dear Liza,

We spent yesterday being thankful, and it was a full day. My life has been blessed, full, funny, a bit unusual, and very, very happy.

I am thankful for being alive and healthy. My body at 60-plus years is still running, although a little rusty. With proper maintenance it should have a lot more miles in it.

I am thankful for my dear people. Grandpa Nelson and Auntie Bridgett love me with all my faults. They are my people to look after and cook for, to play with, to dance and draw and do puzzles with.

I am thankful for my extended family. You and your Mom and Dad, Auntie Katie and the cousins, are not within hugging distance at the moment. But all things pass and before very long we will be hanging out at the Laurelhurst Park, or back on the beach in Monterey together. Meanwhile, we send letters and zoom and know we are loved.

I am thankful for learning. Being able to keep my brain young by learning French, art, and history makes everyday challenging and fun. I have always preached about “life-long learning” but never fully appreciated it until now.

I am grateful for our home here in Portland. This city has been such a fine place to retire, with art, theater, and all the urban buzz. The buzz is muted for a while, but will return with gusto, I have no doubt. And with Portland’s energy and social awareness, that will be a fine thing to see.

I am grateful for Democracy. The American Experiment wobbled for a while, but seems to be righting itself. I am glad to be able to have faith in our country’s future.

Gratitude is a great mindset. Hang onto it!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Seven Months In

Dear Liza,

Yep, it’s been seven months (and a few days) since Dr. Fauci announced the quarantine. Spring and summer have come and gone, and our overnight temperatures are below freezing here in Portland. Winter is heading our way.

Late spring snow, the first week of quarantine

Many things have changed, for certain. Shakespeare in the Parks, big band concerts on the grass, and theatrical performances of any kind are a sweet, distant memory. Eating in restaurants, chatting with friendly waiters and total strangers, is now pretty much unthinkable. Cheering for the Pickles or the Thorns would be the height of social irresponsibility.

Silliness at the Pickles game, last summer

And travel to Paris? Out of the question. Totally. Big, heavy sigh.

Even going to visit family, sitting on a sofa and playing games with grandkids, just isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

But many things, important things, are still with us. Love, even at a distance, is still love. Watching you decorate a cookie house via ZOOM or walking a corn maze with the cousins is a reminder of who I am and what ties I have in this world. Waking up and having coffee with Auntie Bridgett. Doing crosswords and taking walks with Grandpa Nelson. Watching horror movies and baking shows.

I guess all this is to say that we are still holding on, seven months into the lockdown. We wear our masks and social distance and try to be patient with take-out.

Hang in there, kiddo. I will see you soon.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Yes, Portland

Dear Liza,

Three years ago, we moved to Portland. We came for its urban culture and forested parks, the wide Willamette crossed by soaring bridges, and for Auntie Katie and the cousins.

We found all those things, and more. And even in the pandemic shut down, there is a lot of city to enjoy.

PAM, the art museum, is a feast for the eyes and spirit, just a walk away. Attendance is limited to keep folks safe, but the art there can carry you away for a while.

Art isn’t just in the museums, either. It is everywhere, bright and outspoken.

The parks are still wonderful places filled with hundred year old trees, ditzy squirrels, and flowers.

Our city has gotten a bad rap, lately. Mr. Trump says we have been “in flames for decades.” He is lying. Our nightly demonstrations in a few blocks of downtown make him nervous, is all. They show we will stand up to police brutality and racial injustice.

And they are as much a part of what I love about Portland as the museums and the forests. I am glad to be a part of it.

Love,

Grandma Judy