Feb 22
Books, Cats, Life is Good. —Edward Gorey
When people are finding meaning in things — beware. —Edward Gorey
A Gorey Alligator for Serenity Spell
Happy birthday to one of the world’s most clever and whimsical illustrators and authors….. Quirky, prolific, and a true talent. I still adore you, Mr. Gorey!
For a fantastic book detailing the inner workings of Gorey, pick up Elephant House or, The Home of Edward Gorey. For more information, visit their website.
Dec 7
On December 7, 1941, my beautiful, kind, and brave grandfather was in Pearl Harbor, far from his Indiana country upbringing.
My handsome grandfather hamming it up in Pearl Harbor (on the left)
Before that infamous day though, the men — and their gals — enjoyed some downtime in tropical Oahu.
Hubba hubba: My grandmother, or the little island girl
My granddaddy was a Lieutenant aboard the USS Montgomery, a destroyer located near the entrance to Pearl Harbor when the bombers attacked. The ship wasn’t fully crewed, but it managed to depart to sea immediately, due to its location. The Montgomery eventually received four battle stars for World War II service.
Later in WWII, my grandfather took part in the Pacific Theater — ironically, in the area where I grew up, the Kwajalein Atoll — contending with the high seas of the South Pacific and kamikaze pilots.
USS Montgomery, my granddaddy’s first post — caught at Pearl Harbor
Photo Courtesy of NavSource Naval History
He eventually became Commander of the USS Shea, another destroyer. During periods of the war, the Shea was in constant engagements with Japanese aircraft. At one point, all communications were lost. To imagine being on a listing ship, with so many dead and dying fellow men, your communications completely lost, out in the vast empty waters of the South Pacific… This is what I think of when I meet veterans today.
In 1954, the Shea took part in the atomic tests conducted at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands (my stomping grounds). Regardless of these feats, my grandfather remained the most gentle soul till his death at an excruciatingly young age — I’m convinced due to the close exposure of radiation. To this day, 32 years after his passing, he remains my guiding force. James Walter Reed led his crew with an inherent gentleness and strength — a combination so very rare to the human species.
The USS Shea, my granddaddy’s Commander post
Commander Granddaddy visits the officers of the USS Shea in 1953
Both he and my grandmother are now laid to rest at the breathtaking Arlington National Cemetery. May this day continue to live in infamy, and never be forgotten — may the heroism of so many always be remembered. And may these days of remembrance serve to teach us lessons of loss — and futures of peace.
And finally…. Early happy birthday to you (tomorrow, the eighth), granddaddy.
Grandmommy and Granddaddy in San Francisco, during a lucky break: LOVE.
May 8
Thank you Mr. Sendak, for teaching me all about those wild places. ♥
Maurice Sendak, Children’s Author Who Upended Tradition, Dies at 83
Maurice Sendak, widely considered the most important children’s book artist of the 20th century, who wrenched the picture book out of the safe, sanitized world of the nursery and plunged it into the dark, terrifying and hauntingly beautiful recesses of the human psyche, died on Tuesday in Danbury, Conn. He was 83 and lived in Ridgefield, Conn. The cause was complications from a recent stroke, said Michael di Capua, his longtime editor…. (Read more at The New York Times link above)
Maurice Sendak, “Where the Wild Things Are,” 1963
Maurice Sendak, “Where the Wild Things Are,” 1963
May 6
I’ve fallen a bit behind… Fellow bloggers Fay Moore of her inspiring Fay Moore: I Want to Be a Writer and Stacy Lyn of her engaging Stacy Allbritton: Web-Footed Louisiana Scribbler, um, Scrivener have nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. And Terri of the beautiful Daily Sweet Peas has kindly passed along the Readership Appreciation Award.
I’ve been witness to this project circulating WordPress (being relatively new to the blogging arena), and it’s such a wonderful tool to connect with other bloggers and their work. I honestly had no idea such warm, kind kindred spirits existed in this community, and for that I’m pleasantly surprised and ever thankful. Profuse thanks for your nominations and votes of confidence, Fay, Stacy, and Terri!
7 (Hopefully Interesting) and Totally Truthful Things About Myself:
Every blog I’ve encountered has been inspiring beyond compare — and I’m still learning with each passing day. In the spirit of connecting to others, here’s an abridged list of some lovely and skilled nature-centric sites that I’d like to share:
Mar 27
Adapting to life as a publishing freelancer has been interesting — and fun. But darn all those corporate years of floating style guides…
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 