My Little Sister

I have several books which try to explain the relationship of sisters. Other than the obvious, people are individuals, and all the 'explanations' in the world will not describe each individual relationship, they are good reading.  The truth is, sisters are our true friends, even though my sister, Liz, arrived five years after me, she knows me better than even my parents did.

We have sharing a room (when we were little) knowing when the other stayed up to read by flashlight under the covers, sharing dreams, measles, mumps, and chicken pox, fears, and my convincing Liz (when she was three) that we were seeing Santa Clause fly by on Christmas Eve over the rooftops of our neighbourhood! I was concerned that when she stopped beliving, our parents would stop with the good Christmas gifts.

Of course, as a big sister, I would try to take advantage, I would be bossy when we were old enough that my parents would leave us alone with 'me in charge;' Liz can probably tell you with more detail and conviction of all those sins of mine. I remember when she got old enough, my tricks stopped working, and the fights began!  Fortunately for me, I think that after all these years, she might just have forgiven me of most of those things, that, and at some point I realized I could no longer control her!  I remember one time, I don't remember what Maggie and I did to aggravate her, but we tried to appease her with a piece of chocolate cake.  Well she was so mad at us she threw it up in the air, and it hit the ceiling!  I don't remember how - or whether, we got the icing and cake crumbs off the ceiling. Maggie probably does, she has the better memory. In any case, our parents were NOT amused.

As you can see in the picture, above, my parents liked to take pictures on Easter, every year we would have to walk up the front walk before church carring our baskets and wearing our Easter clothes, they didn't make us do any special Christmas pictures, but that was Easter! In the other picture, you will see us with Liz's bunny, 'Fluffy'.  Liz always had this beautiful blond hair, and I thought she was always much more beautiful than me, I was a gaulky kid, with unmanageable dark curls. That's another thing about sisters, we envy each other, and yet we love, with a fearce, and loyal sincerety.

Over the years, as we married, and had families, each with their own challenges, we have become closer,  with a bond that will never be lost. As adults, we are individuals, different occupations, likes, and dislikes, but each of us are rooted in the belief system our parents indwelled in us, on the surface you might see big differences, but we are the same family, and that is the glue that holds the world together.

Have a great day,

Phoebe

Lets Move on!

I love the Christmas holidays, but there is always a time; when the visitors have gone home, the leftovers are finished, house put back in order, decorations are put away; and then comes - "the big sigh"!
I think my favorite holiday picture this year, is when our dear new addition, Feather, wouldn't stop crying, and Uncle Paul and Izzie tried valiantly to smile for the picture! Of course, the visit was too short, but each time I see them, is just added to my tally of beautiful memories. I carried Feather around for most of the first hour they were here!  It was so good to finally see her! Izzie, is such a big girl now, and very good with her new sister. I have been thinking about my own relationship with my 'little sister'.  I have to blog about just that relationship!  What a topic!
          I was also proud of our dog, Tom, he was so gentle with the two little girls!

This Christmas, I lost one of my clients, she was one of the grand ladies of her age, and will be missed. As a result, which is just the way my job goes; it will take time for my company to replace the hours in my schedule. Maybe not too long, they have given me one new client who will replace at least some of the hours.

Enough though! Now I have to get on with all my projects that have been neglected in order to prepare for the holidays! First is to pull out my easel and continue with the drawings I couldn't finish before Christmas! I have decided to do some portraits and action drawings. I was able to get preliminary blocking finished, so I won't be starting from scratch! The real trick is to get a sufficient block of time to really concentrate on the job at hand! I will be implementing a 'dry-brush' technique with india ink.  It is hard on the brushes, but lends itself to details.

See you next time, and have a good day,

Phoebe