music – Dear Liza

Books with Pictures Comic Con Part 2

Dear Liza,

Besides family, friends, and artist tables at the Books with Pictures Comic Con, there were all sorts of activities. The Garden Stage (in the beautiful garden Katie has been nurturing for a few years) was home to a cosplay contest for kids and adults.

Elias, a very young Jedi, won the kid’s division. He had forgotten his light saber at home, so Katie gave him one of hers, made for Free Comic Book Day from a pool noodle. He was delighted!

There was a cartooning duel, with pairs of artists trying to out-think and out-draw each other. The first contest had a random doodle as the prompt, which led to these awesome drawings….

A windsurfing puffin and a coffee drinking moose.

Douglas Wolk hosted a Trivia contest with really hard questions! Besides being an author of books about comics (“All the Marvels” is his latest), he also teaches classes about them. These were really interesting questions, like “Which American comic strip has run since 1914 and only had three artists?” I’ll let you look up the answer, if you like.

There were also discussions and interviews, featuring Kelly Sue Deconnick, Leela Cormac, and Carl Sciacchitano.

The last act of the day was Lizzy Kirby, who plays guitar and sings lovely songs about love and cats. She sang my favorite, with the catchy chorus of “Meow meow meow meow, meow meow meow.”

To make sure we had ann exciting day, between all the art, contests, and interviews, we had a few spats of strong winds that blew in rain and hail and tried to carry away the inventory!

Tents rattled, comics went flying, and folks scrambled to hang onto their banners. Each storm lasted about ten minutes, then we would have sparkling sun for an hour or so.

It was very …. Let’s say entertaining. More tomorrow!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Jellyfish Hunting in Happy Valley

Dear Liza,

This week we had some of those perfect spring days. Cool and sunny, no wind, and just right for an adventure.

I also needed supplies for my jellyfish costume for SOAK, and Joann Fabrics and Crafts is down in Happy Valley. That is a half hour trip via the number 15 bus and the Green Line train.

So before lunch, Grandpa Nelson and I set out. I love taking transit through new neighborhoods. Since I’m not busy navigating, I can appreciate the trees, murals, and houses.

Our transfer from the bus to the train was easy, giving us time to enjoy the sunlight and some public art before whisking us down to Happy Valley.

The exhausting part of the day was the long walks across the ginormous parking lots!! My whole neighborhood of Sunnyside could fit in The Home Depot lot. Cars are space hogs.

After a quick lunch at Carl’s Jr., I found just what I needed at Joann. Lavender tule and sparkly fabrics, ribbons and yarn and some interesting ruffled lace will make a lovely jellyfish.

I drew the design on the back of a junk mailing so I have it in my head.

Our trip home was quick and easy, and after a bit of a lay down, I was ready for the rest of the day.

I love spring!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Christmas Day in Retrospect

Dear Liza,

It is now the day after Christmas and I am still full to the brim from the feasting and family. Our Christmas celebration started around 10 in the morning when the rest of the family woke up (Auntie Bridgett and I are early risers), and went until after 9 that night when tired Grandkids headed home.

First there were cinnamon rolls and coffee, and presents for and from Auntie Christy and Cousin Kyle. We were all pleased with the Hogwarts’ goodies, so perfect for us and our chilly winters here in Portland.

Auntie Katie and the Cousins came later, bringing more gifts and a delicious ad- libbed cream pie.

Kyle, being the Dungeon Master of the day, had prepared a Dungeons and Dragons adventure for Jasper and Kestrel, and the three of them developed characters and played while the older folks chatted, ate and drank, and played music.

Jasper, Kes and Kyle working in character development

Katie and I were the only ones who wanted a walk, so we headed off to Laurelhurst. I wore my new Hogwarts scarf, and met a fellow Hufflepuff! Her name is May. She is a delight and I hope we see each other again. We also did some serious bird-watching, Katie sharing her Great Grandma Billie’s love of feathered friends.

Watching the Bullock’s Orioles in the park

Katie is always good company. She and I talked about my story and she gave me some good advice on how to make it better as I go forward.

We got home and had dinner, which was, as always, a team effort and delicious.

Then came more presents! Harry Potter and Wonder Woman and weird little Hands for Handy Hand to hang out with. What a day!

Then there was more music, with harmonies and extra verses. As everyone’s energy level started to sag, no one wanted the day to end!

Kyle and Jasper played a video game on the sofa while the rest of us watched The Grinch (the original, with Boris Karloff’s voice) and the White Christmas, with which we sang along.

Finally, we had a game of Kozo, then Dreidle, and then we had to just own up that it was time to go to bed.

I am so blessed to have this life full of loving people, safety and abundance, ideas, music and surprise.

Love,

Grandma Judy