Inland Empire (A metropolitan area and region inland of and adjacent to coastal Southern California.) — Image by kenne
This image was created in June of 2009 by combining four images without using Photoshop photomerge, which is what I would do to create a panorama today.
“The Dining Room Table,” A Still Life — Images by kenne
In a little while we will be leaving Tucson, driving to San Bernardino to be with family as we celebrate the life of Virginia Chapman, Joy’s mother.
Since Virginia’s death, we have spent time reading Marie Howe’s powerful book of poems, “What the Living Do.” In a time of grief, her poems provide instruction for the living, one of which I share with those who follow this blog:
The Dream
I had a dream in the day: I laid my father’s body down in a narrow boat
and sent him off along the riverbank with its cattails and grasses. And the boat — it was made of bark and wood bent when it was wet —
took him to his burial finally. But a day or two later I realized it was my self I wanted
to lay down, hands crossed, eyes closed. . . . Oh, the light coming up from down there,
the sweet smell of the water — and finally, the sense of being carried by a current I could not name or change.
Virginia Chapman On 85th Birthday (June, 2009) May she rest in peace! — Image by kenne
What made Virginia special
was understanding that love
is something you give
without having a reason —
maybe that’s what makes
some women so special.
— kenne
With Virginia’s passing, the family and friends will not be celebrating her 90th birthday this June, at least not as planned. In lieu of our not being able to share her 90th birthday celebration, I share a video of her 85th birthday party celebration.
Virginia Chapman’s 85th Birthday Celebration, June, 2009