I spent yesterday afternoon browsing the Wyeth exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. I've always admired Andrew Wyeth's work but was unfamiliar with that of his son, Jamie. Having been trained by his own father, Andrew Wyeth went on to train Jamie, so it is no surprise there are similarities in their styles. I took the auditory tour as I do like to hear the back story of certain pieces of art. This particular tour was a delight as there was quite a bit of audio commentary by the artists themselves thus giving a glimpse into their lives and their thinking at the time a particular piece was created.

We went out to the movies last night to see "Joy", the biopic loosely based on the life and career of Joy Mangano, creator of the Magic Mop as well as 100 other patented items sold on QVC and HSN. As I watched the movie unfold, it reminded me of my foray in the invention arena.

I was a single mother in the late '70s, supporting myself and my firstborn working as an X-Ray Tech at Spaulding Rehab Hospital. I was faced with x-raying disabled patients and, as the only person in my department, I had to enlist the aid of an orderly or family member to lift the patient up on the table for filming. This was risky on many levels....injury to the patient, radiation exposure to the person holding the film, and general discomfort. I came up with a device to enable me to x-ray patients while seated in a wheelchair which was safer and more cost effective.

Oh, I was the lucky girl yesterday. After an incredibly busy eleven day stretch of travel, meetings, talks, and interviews, I used my Christmas gift certificate and had a massage. It was heavenly! My massage therapist was delightful and we had a very meaningful, spiritual conversation. I don't normally like to talk during a massage, but it seemed we met for reasons other than the massage itself. Sometimes people are just placed in your path to exchange something...knowledge, information, energy, ministry. We shouldn't pass those opportunities up.

Twelve years ago next month I got a new name. "Nana". My first grandchild is growing up WAY too fast! It was just yesterday when her mama was twelve, wasn't it?

A twelve year old girl is an enigma. She shows the world she is made of steel...but she's actually fragile as delicate crystal. She hates you but she loves you more than her heart can stand. She'll treat the weakest of God's creatures with the tenderest of care yet she'll rip your heart out with her icy stare of utter disdain. She wants you to love her, just don't touch her or look at her or speak to her or...God forbid....acknowledge your familial relationship in public. If you say "Can you go brush your hair?" what she hears is "You are the ugliest creature on earth!" There is no rhyme or reason to anything she does. She will make sure of that. And, she will make doubly sure you are quite aware of it. She wants you to be proud of her as long as you don't say it out loud. She wants you to talk to her unless you're planning on actually using, you know...words. Then she wants you to shut up. She still likes little girl things but she could never admit that.

My father was an avid fisherman. He mostly fished with lures and bait in the local rivers and lakes. But once a year we would go to the mountains and stay with my cousins and he would fly fish. We had very little money so we usually stayed with family but I remember one summer we stayed in a cabin. It was the coolest vacation ever!

The Denver Fly Fishing Show was SO much fun. It's always wonderful to get to know new Sisters and catch up with those you haven't seen in a while. Becky Clarke and Maurrie Sussman, real life sisters and Sisters #2 & #1 respectively, were there and got to sit in on some of the NYTimes photo shoot. When Kerry Hannon interviewed me this week, she asked me what I did right in the weeks and months after Mr. Virgo died. My answer was choosing my financial advisor, writing my blog, and joining Sisters on the Fly. These women were instrumental in helping me see beyond myself and my situation. They were loving and supportive while empowering me to step outside my comfort zone. I'm proud to have nearly 7000 Sisters.
As I mentioned in the video I posted yesterday, I'm going to be writing a series for the Sisters on the Fly blog on women in transition. We have an amazingly diverse group of women in this organization and I'll be featuring some in their blog. What a really fun day!

Last winter in WV was dismal. Cold, windy, snow...snow...and MORE snow. Denver was downright balmy till late. This year, Colorado is getting socked with snow upon snow and people were mowing their lawns New Year's Eve in WV! Annnnnd....where am I? In the cold and snow...both times. It's not so bad though. Look at this beautiful picture. I went up to the cemetery yesterday to say goodbye to Mr. Virgo on my way out of town. We had about 5 or 6 inches of new snow overnight. There was a low ceiling of clouds so as I climbed the hill I was enveloped in their gauzy swirling mists. I snapped this shot as the sun was just starting to burn through. This is the view from his grave. Isn't it beautiful? It's so peaceful and quiet up there. I love going up to visit him. I imagine him in the wind.

Heading back to Denver today. I had a great week in the mountains. I visited my brother and friends. I rested and soaked in the hot springs pool several times. The interview with Kerry Hannon for the New York Times went very, very well. She was absolutely delightful and I would love to hear one of her presentations. She has written 10 books on women and jobs/finance. She's a best selling author and I can't wait to read one of her books as well. She interviewed me for an article she's writing about widowhood and retirement...what I did right, what mistakes I made, and what advice I would give to a new widow. I'll provide a link to the article when it comes out.

Last night was special. I was invited to speak to a grief support group at my home church in Colorado. And the gals on either side of me in this photo are fellow Ranchers! I am so blessed to have had this time to share my journey and to sit with these beautiful people. I am humbled by your reception.

After the initial shock of losing Mr. Virgo began to fade...ever so slightly, I set out to fill the void losing him created in my life. I only had him seven and a half years. I can't imagine the emptiness of losing your partner of forty years or more. I experienced my first attempt at "dating" just five months after he died. Five months? What was I thinking???