A Giant Clear-Out

Hello, my good women, from Baltimore. I am in the midst of a giant clear-out with my mother. Highlights of today, so far, include a complete cocktail set made out of giant (and smaller) shells from Phillipines, misc. wine/juice/Christmas glasses and a gorgeous carved platter from India with mango shapes in the wood. All on their way to Goodwill. I'm having a wonderful time working with my Mom--just like old times. . .wrapping dishes in newspaper feels as familiar and comfortable to us as jam-making or quilting or knitting feels to other mothers-n-daughters.

I thought I should update you, too, on the orignial Elaine, now in her 80s, who got a word from one of my male relative's (Grandpa somebody) photographs (he's dead) that she should begin work on a new book. She also has plans to sell her paintings at a museum and she just rode across the country and back in a Greyhound bus. So if you needed the gumption to get-up-and-go today, there it is.

Must put Merry down for a nap. Elspeth, despite licking coffee grounds off her fingers from the floor this morning, seems to be sleeping.

And if you are in the market, say, for a white soup tureen missing the spoon, let me know fast-fast before the next squeal-of-tires to the local Goodwill.

Miss you all--and even miss Waynesburg--

K