Four of the stars in my life have March birthdays;  Nan, much beloved daughter-in-law, on the 7th; precious daughter, Hildy, on the 11th; her husband, Dan, whom I love like a son, on the 13th.  Also on the 13th is Kirby Lindsay, my great-niece, with whom I share a passion for writing… a bond that keeps us close to one another.

        Nancy came into our lives when Vern discovered her at a craft show, working with her ceramics.  He was on his daily walk from the Courthouse, where he was serving on a jury, to John’s gallery in Pioneer Square.  That story is told in the link to this column called Dorothea Writes, under the title A Love Story.  Go enjoy.

        Hildy and Dan met when he came home from Viet Nam.  She was working in the office of Book Service on the campus of Burke Industrial Center, where Dan’s dad, John Lightfoot, was working as a delivery man for their text books, and John and Hildy were friends.

My Best Birthday Wishes to all you March Babies!

Grandson Jack Lightfoot wrote this about a recent visit to Dave’s cabin at Skykomish:

        “I was just at the Cabin this last Tuesday and Wednesday morning. I had some guests. About 5,000 house spiders. Actually I think I was their guest. They've had the run of the place for some time now. I hope they don't declare their own state. I don't think they would give me a green card as I'm not very well liked among them. I think it's because I've imprisoned about half their relatives inside the shop vac. I feel sorry for the next person that empties that thing (Dave).”

From Ryan about Russ’ visit with him:
        “Russell and I had a wonderful time.
 I might be heading down to San Clemente in Orange County for part of Springbreak to see Russell for a couple days and then checking out the LA region for a couple days before heading northbound to Monterey. I will be done in May for summer break and then Beijing for 2 weeks or so. The drive along the coast of California north to WA is only a 14 hour drive and it will be warm so I plan on driving straight through (in May) if I can so that I can utilize the time I have before the flight to see people and unpack.   
-Ryan “ 

        Dave took me for a ride recently and we ended up going down to the north end of Golden Gardens beach.  It was a lovely day, so, even though we hadn’t brought my “wheelie” walker, I asked if he would lend me an arm so we could walk the pathway to the pond where there are always a lot of ducks and geese… and sometimes turtles and frogs.  When we came to the little bridge, we suddenly met up with a half-dozen red-winged blackbirds who thought we were bringing them lunch.  One landed on the railing, not more than a foot away from where I was using it for balance!  He even bounced a few inches closer, then cocked his head and whistled the lovely bird call that is unique to his clan.  I hadn’t heard that call since I was a small child and the marsh that used to be the north end of Green Lake was on my way to Green Lake School!  The marsh was home to many of the beautiful black birds with their patch of red and yellow on each wing.  Memories came back so strongly that I could almost smell the earthy odor from that long ago place. Sweet nostalgia.

        The new catalog is out for Nichols Brothers, which is the place that has cast a number of Nancy's sculptures, and has also commissioned her to design some of their ideas to fill their needs.  The "dinky doors" and "wee windows" she designed and offered them are on their back cover, along with the "latte kitty" she designed at their request.  Her "offerings" and their "requests" make the difference as to how she gets paid.

Dinky Doors and Wee Window

Latte Kitty

        John and I are back working on our genealogy after a long dry spell.  He is getting our information on a website, so that, somewhere down the road, grandchildren will be able to click on it and get the information we have worked so hard to collect.  It feels good to be back working with him.  We have fun.

        The story about Uncle John Gierhofer has been sent to Big Smoke, along with many pictures, and should be in the next issue, due out in July. They always do such a great job with their publications.  I really like being published by them.

John Gierhofer

        I am grateful to report that Paul seems to be getting stronger all the time, now.  He still needs to pace himself so it is good that John has been able to fill in for him when necessary.

        I have completed three of the 7” x 9” knitted blocks which will end up being part of a group of 49 to make up a blanket to be distributed to the homeless when finished.  My neighbor, Shirley, gave me the pattern.  She has been doing this for several years now and has made enough blocks for 30 blankets.  I am pleased and surprised to be able to do them since I cannot see the stitches as I go.  I can feel them, though, and am told my blocks are perfect! It sure feels good to be back doing knitting, again.  And I like the reason for doing these…keeping someone warm, who might otherwise be very uncomfortable.

Thought for the day: What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.
- Addison

Dixie/Dorothea, Senior Editor

Home Page: Dixie-Press.com

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