Sunday, October 28, 2012

48 hours

On Thursday, I drove to the airport to pick Pam up. Once back at my house, we went to the studio to talk



and have a bit of a show 'n tell. We've been seeing each other's work via Skype since the 3rd annual artist retreat back in June, but there's just nothing like seeing the work in person.
 
 More tea bags that Pam's been collecting for me.
 
On Friday, we ventured to Flinn Gallery in Greenwich to see


 We went to lunch

and I took photos of the reflections.

Friday afternoon was spent strolling around Greenwich before journeying to Ridgefield to see more art. A stop at a coffee shop along the way found us swapping stories over tea and chai and laughing so hard I snorted chai out my nose. Thankfully, Pam's the kind of friend who will ignore such events. Then it was a quick stop at the house to pick up my husband and the little urchins so we could go out to dinner.

Once home for the night, the approaching hurricane was discussed and flights were changed. All was well until Saturday morning when we heard the latest updates on Hurricane Sandy. More calls were made and Pam's flight back to Kansas was changed a second time. 


48 hours after arriving, Pam was boarding the first of two airplanes that would take her back to Oz. 

Yesterday was such a whirlwind, that her leaving didn't really hit until I walked into the studio last night. The emptiness, the quiet, the hole that had been left by her leaving hit hard. Now I have the tiniest inkling of how her studio must feel after a week of our artist retreats. 

I'm glad Pam is back home where all is safe and sound, where Hurricane Sandy is not an impending threat, where there are no worries of heavy rain, gusting winds, floods, downed trees and power outages. Still...my studio is empty and that's taking a bit of getting used to. 

19 comments:

  1. I found myself getting off the plane and missing you all and the chance at working in your studio...and yes, my studio takes awhile to adjust to you leaving each year! Sorry that the storm had other plans for us...here's hoping you continue to have power through the next few days.

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    1. It's funny...I'd known that your studio would be much, much quieter and certainly less jumbled once I returned home and removed all my stuff, but I'd never thought of how incredibly empty it must feel. All that terrific energy we have together suddenly gone. I promise to "forget" to pack a piece or two next year. They can keep you company. That sound good?

      Ellie and Grace kept asking where you were yesterday. They knew I'd taken you to the airport, but it hadn't really sunk in what that meant until Grace talked to you on the phone. Then they reminded me that they never got to play Sorry with you. Guess you need to come back soon to so we can all play Sorry. Ha!

      So far so good. Yard is very clean. Tubs are filled with water. We've food, books to read, games to play, wood for the fireplaceetc. The worst will hit late this afternoon. Stay tuned.

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  2. Oh my...I am so sad to hear that Pam had to leave. I know how much you enjoy getting together...and how much I love seeing the synergy created when you two get together. Hoping that you are snug with a pot of tea and that the winds don't get as awful as they are supposed to. There's a gentle rain outside tonight (Sunday)but the govt is already shut down and the schools closed. Needless to say Star's Beads will be open...though my going to work was deemed optional tonight. I am thinking of going just to see who the REAL bead addicts are!!!

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    1. Pardon my language, but the timing of Hurricane Sandy truly sucks. I know there's no negotiating with Mother Nature, but...

      We're as prepared as possible short of having bought a generator for the power outages. We discussed it after last year's October snow and no power for 8 days, but decided that the chances of it happening again were pretty slim. Ha! Little did we know.

      From what I'm seeing right now, it looks like the DC area is getting hammered. Hope you're safe and decide to stay home today. No sense putting yourself in harms way if you don't have to.

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    2. So far lots of rain, not too much wind. I know that's supposed to change as we get further into the day. I also pray for the electricity to stay on...but at least we have a gas stove...

      I'm glad at least that you got to spend a bit of time with Pam. But as you said...it sucks...to have something you've been excited about and looking forward to have to end so abruptly. And I thought Oz was the land of weird weather! Global warming-- despite what some people (and parties) believe.

      Stay safe my friend.

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  3. I so understand that empty studio feel. Sharing time with a special like minded friend in one's studio is right there with the very best life can offer. Once it ends - the studio seems a little empty. But then it will fill with gorgeous creativity and you won't feel the hole so much. Do really really hope you and all those you know and love stay safe through this awful storm heading your way.

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    1. Oh! You do understand the empty studio feeling. I imagine the synergy between you and Fiona is similar to that between Pam and I. Last time she visited was about 6 months after we adopted the little urchins and there was no time for working in the studio. I remember showing it to her, but that was it. Funny thing is that all we had time to do this time was the show 'n tell and a bit of chatting Saturday morning. Can't imagine how it would feel if we'd have a chance to work our magic together. I'd probably be avoiding the studio for a bit.

      Thank you for thoughts for our safety in the storm. All is well right now. The worst is to arrive late this afternoon with extremely gusty winds and rain. We're keeping our fingers crossed for few downed trees and no power outages. Actually, I'd love to be able to hit the "fast forward" button and land us on the weekend...just skip the storm all together. If only...

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  4. OMG! Almost forgot HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! What an interesting day for it...

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    1. Let's see...

      2011, my 52nd birthday, we had 15" of snow with no power for 8 days
      2012, my 53rd birthday, we've a hurricane moving in, power so far...
      2013, as John stated last night, I'm celebrating my birthday in May next year with a week in Paris.

      I think he was joking about the Paris part, but he did put it out there in the universe. Doesn't a girls week in Paris to stroll the streets and shops, visit the museums, eat amazing food and just soak up the whole Paris experience sound good? Care to join me? We'll get Pam to go and maybe invite a few others.

      If only...

      Thanks for the birthday wishes! Hope your day is less interesting, if you know what I mean.

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    2. I am falling on the floor laughing! Paris in May sounds lovely...
      Hoping you keep the power on. Obviously, we still have ours as well. But the wind predictions for later today and this evening in Northern VA sound awful. Certainly, a birthday to "write home about"... Be sure to eat some cake...you might want to hold onto the candles...just in case!!

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    3. Ha! The candles are ready for later if needed. So are the flashlights and wood for the fireplace.

      Paris in the springtime does sound lovely, doesn't it? Really need to do a bit of research and see how to make it happen.

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  5. oh you are in between David and Boone birthday-wise? - the 29th?
    such a batch of days!
    after Irene we were well prepared and we were spared...
    wishing you a very happy birthday Jennifer,

    xox

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    1. I am in the middle birthday-wise. We could have a good old time celebrating all the special days, couldn't we?

      Glad you survived Sandy with little impact. We did too.

      Thank you for the birthday wishes!

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  6. I just found out that it was your birthday, Happy Birthday to you! You are quite the stormy gal, aren't you? May I say that I wish I could see and touch those papers in person? They look so tantalising!

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wishes! Normally, I'm say I'd not the stormy type, but the past 2 years would prove me wrong. Next year, I'm celebrating in the spring! And those papers are as wonderful as they look.

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  7. J-such a joy to fit in so much in such a short space of time with a friend - but of course we always want to prolong joy. Go well. B

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    1. It would have wonderful to have had Pam here for the week as planned. Left us both a bit out of sorts. Still, it was loads of fun to have her here.

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  8. HI J - It must have been so sad to have to say goodbye to Pam before it had really begun; but good that she could be safe. I have to state that I LOVE those papers. I want to just reach out and touch them and unroll them and run my hands over them - they are stunning!

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    1. It felt like Pam had just arrived when she left. I just spoke to her and it sounds like we had similar weeks - both in bad moods, studio the last place we wanted to be, etc.

      Pam's papers are as stunning in person as they are in the photos. I can just imagine what you and Susan would do with them if you could. What fun that would be!

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