who INSPIRES Me

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For the panel discussion at West Week, I was asked Who Inspires Me? 

I had to think about the people that seem to be-always with Me. Many people came to mind-the famous-the infamous, but mostly it was family-clients-friends.

 At the top of my List was my Grand Mother. I have featured her a number of times in postings-SO-If any of this is repetitive –my apologies.

My Daily inspirations center around a Grand-Mother & RAMBLING. 

She claimed I was her greatest RAMBLER.

This drawing of Bess and my mother was done for me by Vivian Strauss as a gift for my Mother. It is copied from a photograph of the pair in my Grand Mother’s garden.

Bess knew how to live well and beautifully.  Simple tasks like setting the table were transformed into a Daily Ritual of getting out one of a dozen different China Patterns, napkins, silver, goblets and adding amusing centerpieces from her tours in the garden or bric a brac from around the house. 

She followed House and Garden and her bible-Religiously.

She decoupaged, She scrapbooked- and She had a perfectly folded Linen Closet with Monogram towels and press sheets.

She kept a beautiful house-these things- the ordinary became EXTRA Ordinary with Bess.  

Her bird baths-Her garden and KOI Pond- also known as the Fish Pond- were notables with her grandchildren and her friends.

Nights spent with her meant wearing a special Chinese Kimono in red and yellow or plundering her bureau drawer full of costume jewelry.

Legend tells that Bess stood watching the upstairs rooms of her house burn holding a bouquet of violets.

I learned So Much from this Woman-and things I never Knew-until I was older and creating a Life for Myself.

There is Not a Day that goes by that SHE is not Present. 

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