You began working in a glass studio at fifteen. You were an artist. A talented woman, a kind-hearted creator, a towering beauty, an authentic environmentalist.
Decades later, I’d meet you as my future-mother-in-law, and we’d become the dearest of friends.
This post is dedicated to the working woman…
(I sketched Karole from an old photo – one I adore to this day. The 2 faded photo images are from Karole’s modeling days)
My mom loved hotdogs. A month after my dad passed, Keith and I took her to Dallas Hot Wieners, a charming little eatery in Saugerties, NY. A hotdog had made her smile that day. Afterward, we walked to Emerge Gallery.
Oddly enough, I created the image below in 2017, several years before Covid. This painting had been part of a group show, “Primar(il)y Red,” Emerge Gallery, Saugerties, NY.
“At the end of 2023 Emerge Gallery closed its physical space in Saugerties, NY, but continued hosting group shows virtually through the gallery shop on Artsy.net. The on-line shop offered a platform for the works of Hudson Valley artists to be viewed and purchased by collectors throughout the world.”
To my dearest friend — thank you for sharing your brightest life
your infectious joy, your brilliant smile
each day softening these endless farewells
so—goodbye, beautiful lady—goodbye, Mom
but—hello again, always—hello again…
I miss you I adore you I love you
(above) Millie, at 80, riding the Coney Island Cyclone (1996)
xo❤️💐
Millie passed in 2021
Sometimes, a hug can brace us for tomorrow
hope you’re all managing okay
am:)
My studio runs parallel to a quiet side road that springs to life when school lets out. Watching the kids leap into summer often makes me think back. Long ago, but ever present, the silly girl who I’d like to smack in the head.
image above – me in my early 20’s – ah, the makeup-less, cover-up less time of long ago:)
hope you’re all managing the heat
am:)
My dear friend, DS Levy, has added another bright star to her constellation of writing-
Her brilliant piece, “Wild”, is a 2024 must read
“You know,” Bets says, parking a wad of Bazooka in her cheek. “The road goes both ways.”
— DS Levy
https://mudseasonreview.com/2023/12/fiction-issue-71/
This post was inspired by a ‘new’ image.
It’s a wonderful gift to receive an image you’ve never seen before of a person you’ll not see again (in this version of life). My mom’s cousin had recently sent me a batch of family photos, a few of the images I’d not seen before – what a treasure to see my mom’s pearlescent smile in a ‘new’ way. I merged Millie’s image into the rainbow photo shown.
The rainbow happened on a most horrible day — a day not blackened by the dark weather but by my words. It was the day I told my sweet mother I was sending her to a nursing home. And that beautiful woman had the gall to smile, to tell me she understood and that everything would be okay.
The weight of my heart forced my tears forward like the storm. Then not long afterward, the rain stopped, the storm clouds moved on their way, and there outside, arcing over my house, was the most complete and perfect rainbow I’d ever seen. It was Millie’s Rainbow.
Thank you,
AnnMarie❤️
When in New Mexico, simply aim your camera anywhere and the breathtaking sky does the rest.
My husband, son and I spent a glorious week in New Mexico. My wonderful friend, D, who lives in Santa Fe, was a marvelous cook and an amazing hostess.
We enjoyed the heated outdoor pool, went on a pilgrimage to the Aztec Ruins, visited the galleries on Canyon Road, purchased handmade items from local artists, put our feet in the pristine San Juan River…and of course, we ate too much:)
Alas, all good things must come to a landing —
If you haven’t visited New Mexico, do try and get there – it truly is the Land of Enchantment.
Thank you for stopping by,
AnnMarie:)
about my beautiful mom who’s smiling down today and every day❤️
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all you spectacular moms🌹!
Millie shown here at 25 years of age with my sis Grace:)
Geez man, I wish I had been blessed with that gorgeous broad smile!
anntogether 