"Mom's Kitchen"
No...you're not imagining things. I have a new post. I am going to bring you all up to date on the goings-on in my life. And in doing so, hopefully you will understand why I haven't been posting.
My mom passed away in December. No...it was not a shock. She was almost 96. She had a very good run. Though the last two years were somewhat nightmare-ish. Anyone who has dealt with a parent/loved one with dementia/Alzheimer's will understand that statement.
It wasn't the death I was unprepared for. It was the aftermath. Deeds. Wills. Division of land. The paying of taxes on said land for the past year. But really...even that is not so monumental. The real challenge has been going through the household belongings and memorabilia of a 95-year-old who lived in the same place for over 70 years, along with memorabilia given to her from almost everyone she ever met. It would appear that she never threw away a card of any kind. Or a photo. Letter. Stamp...one of the items I've come across is my long-deceased uncle's wallet and driver's license. I guess she thought that she might have need of it at some point.
I've also found some meaningful things, though I remind myself that I would be no worse off for not knowing of these meaningful mementos. For example, I found a $500 Confederate bill in mint condition, along with a $50 Confederate bill which was in awful condition. I had them appraised and found that the $500 bill was just a copy, and the other was in such bad shape that it was also worthless. So...if I just threw everything onto a big pile and burned it, I would probably be able to save myself a lot of anguish.
I've had some other things on my plate, but I don't think you really want to hear about it. The aforementioned organization of all my mom's worldly goods (which hopefully will lead to an eventual estate sale) is far from over. Anyone got a match? Lighter?
So...you're reasonably up to speed. I will try to get back to my usual routine of posting. Yes...I have been painting here and there. The painting above is an oldie. It is indeed my mom's kitchen window.
And a representation of yet another life well-lived.
It wasn't the death I was unprepared for. It was the aftermath. Deeds. Wills. Division of land. The paying of taxes on said land for the past year. But really...even that is not so monumental. The real challenge has been going through the household belongings and memorabilia of a 95-year-old who lived in the same place for over 70 years, along with memorabilia given to her from almost everyone she ever met. It would appear that she never threw away a card of any kind. Or a photo. Letter. Stamp...one of the items I've come across is my long-deceased uncle's wallet and driver's license. I guess she thought that she might have need of it at some point.
I've also found some meaningful things, though I remind myself that I would be no worse off for not knowing of these meaningful mementos. For example, I found a $500 Confederate bill in mint condition, along with a $50 Confederate bill which was in awful condition. I had them appraised and found that the $500 bill was just a copy, and the other was in such bad shape that it was also worthless. So...if I just threw everything onto a big pile and burned it, I would probably be able to save myself a lot of anguish.
I've had some other things on my plate, but I don't think you really want to hear about it. The aforementioned organization of all my mom's worldly goods (which hopefully will lead to an eventual estate sale) is far from over. Anyone got a match? Lighter?
So...you're reasonably up to speed. I will try to get back to my usual routine of posting. Yes...I have been painting here and there. The painting above is an oldie. It is indeed my mom's kitchen window.
And a representation of yet another life well-lived.