Lost In Bath

My first Roche doll

On a visit to England over 25 years ago I traveled

to Bath to see the sites including the Assembly 

Rooms which house a costume museum.

One of the things I love most about the Brits.

They never throw anything away. When they save

enough of something, they open a museum. 

Trains, antique plumbing fixtures, complete streets 

of old shops, farm life, carriages, cars, planes, jails 

and anything else one can think of and plenty 

one wouldn't. 

Closest to my heart, genuine old garments and accessories.

Many with historical associations and some represented

in portraits worn by the original owners. Then there are 

theatrical costumes. 

The Assembly Rooms, Bath

Off I went, map in hand through honey colored Bath.

Found the Pump Room and the Roman Baths.

Then off to find the Assembly Rooms. 

All the time thinking - Jane Austin. Its her town.

Walked a bit too far along Walcot St. parallel to the 

River Avon and became a little lost. On my left a tiny

shop window with doll house miniatures.

Wrong street maybe, but definitely up my alley.

Went in and was greeted by a friendly young man in 

the small front room. Near the window, a table of heart 

touchingly beautiful dolls. Porcelain heads, pretty hand 

painted faces, blond, brunette and ginger pigtails. 

Articulated arms and legs, wearing smocked Liberty of  

London print dresses and delicate hand knit cardigans.  

In the next room, a dark haired young woman sewing dolls 

clothes. (The job of my dreams.) Took a while to choose 

the right doll. Carried on my lap the entire flight back to 

Philadelphia. So went my introduction to Lynne and 

Michael Roche, Dollmakers  extraordinaire. Early days 

of their spectacular collaboration. 

Now, internationally recognized Masters of their craft.

See for yourself at  http://www.roche-dolls.co.uk/

Lynne and Michael Roche (with permission)

The following year, I made a bee line back to Bath. So looking 

forward to another visit and another doll. But the shop door 

was locked! A note on the window told me they were in New 

York City at the toy fair. Aaahhhh!! Slipped a card under the 

door bearing greetings and disappointment (tears couched 

in humor).

Found some of their dolls in London at The General Trading Co. 

in Sloan St and in a Burlington Arcade Shop. Naturally, prices

had doubled. But that didn't stop me. My sister in law, Debbie

had asked for one also. 

Sent the Roches a copy of Goldie The Dollmaker, by M.B. Goffstein.

For a number of years, they sent copies of their handmade catalogue.

The book, A Celebration of Enchantment, by Barbara 

Spadaccini-Day, celebrates their 25th anniverary (2005) 

as superb Doll Makers.

My assistant, Fred E. Cat helping 

set up the shot.

Taking Cover

Working on a new cover for THE STORY OF THE 

PILGRIMS, by Katharine Ross that I illustrated for 

Random House a while back.

Remembering all the research and the help of the 

good folks at the Plimouth Plantation.

 Learned the Pilgrims dressed like other 17th century 

Europeans not in "typical" Pilgrim costumes from my 

childhood books. Invented by 19th century Victorian 

era artists. 

The Pilgrims did not call themselves Pilgrims.

There are only 2 documents recounting the harvest feast

we know as the first Thanksgiving. One, a contemporary 

letter by Edward Winslow, and the other by William 

Bradford, written 20 or so years after the event.

No pumpkin pie nor popcorn at that feast.

Every detail in my illustrations was examined and 

approved by the experts at the Plimouth Plantation.

I'd love to go there sometime and talk with the historic 

interpreters. My idea of a good time.

Tooth Fairy

OK, got a little crazy with the polymer clay.

Thought Dr. Ted, my Pediatric Dentist brother,

would appreciate a tooth fairy....

So I made some.

Then, I made a few pups........ ;-)

Kitty Pins

It all started with polymer clay intended

for bead making.

First one then the other of the cat boys

came around to watch me work.

Cutting and rolling and punching

holes in a box full of free hand beads led

to fooling around.

With a head (and apartment) full of

cats... well you can see what happened.

Cats for pins! First the solid colors.

Soon varied color parts and marbelized.

Gave some away to friends and my

brother Ted. Who shared them with

folks in his kid's dental office.

By popular request, some cat

pins are now available at

Ciao Carolina, my Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5219055

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Its Birthday Week

Not sure who's birthday this was, so long ago, but wearing the party hat, I claim it.

LtoR front - brother Jock, sister Sue. Back - brother Ted, Moi

Wednesday will mark 64 trips around 

the sun, the home planet has made 

since my arrival. 

My generation's family firstborn.

A birthday present myself.  

Born on my maternal Grandfather's 

and father's birthday.

A brief reign.

Within 5 years 3 sibs and 6 cousins 

with 3 more to come.

Such is life. ;-)

Visitor From Outer Space

On the phone this morning, gazing at

the window behind me reflected on my dark

computer screen.

Suddenly a pigeon landed on the outer

windowsill. A big deal up here on the 37th floor.

Besides the occasional window washer, we

almost never get live visitors from the world

outside.

Years ago, before cats came, a young

Peregrine Falcon stopped on the same sill

to rest during soaring practice. But that's

all.

My cat boys, have only witnessed birds on

the wing from a distance, or a quick glance

from behind the mesh of their carrier going

through the park on the way to the vet.

They see more airplanes and helicopters.

Went to get Tizzy and Fred up from

their morning snooze in the other room.

Fred realized something was afoot and

followed immediately.

But TZ beat him to the window.

Tiz is still there along with the pigeon.

The visitor from outer space being carefully

(with a modicum of frustration) observed by

the inhabitant of this inner space, high up

over center city.

PS: The Pigeon remained on the sill from shortly after 9AM

until it took off shortly after 4PM when I tried to give it a

little drink of water in a small cap.

It was a young bird as it still had traces of pinfeathers

sticking through its flight feathers like honey colored threads

in a tied quilt. And its eyes were still

brown, not yet red.

Godspeed little Pigeon.

Welcome back anytime.

For Mother's Day

The way we were.......

As her parents would put it, my Mom is "smart as 12 colleges", good looking, and has a great sense of humor. All came in handy as, despite a bad marriage, she some how got her four kids raised and college educated with no money but stubborn determination, sacrifice and so much love.

She produced (in birth order) a published children's book illustrator

and author, a top administrator at a major university, a greatly

respected pediatric dentist and another town's beloved general dentist.

All of whom get along, enjoy each other's company and look out for each other.

She could definitely write the book.

All the time she was also losing her eyesight to Retinitis Pigmentosa.

An inherited disorder that slowly but surely destroyed her retinas

until she was blind.

She has not been able to see anything for 20 or more years.

Not my books or the beautiful faces of her grandchildren.

I joke that she has also missed seeing her middle aged children's

silvering and in some cases, receding, hair.

Despite everything, Mom lives her life with immense grace, courage

and always, humor.

Happy Mother's Day to my dear Mom.