2 days in disney world orlando

At the
Kennedy Space Center

My Dear Petra,
Determined Neighbor of the Smile,
Hands in the dirt, face flushed with red splotches
oh how you would turn red!
As you handled the flowers, the seedlings, the seeds... with a caring undiluted by nostalgia, that sappy emotion you would attribute to me.
Your caring was that of a scientist whose appreciation of precision
Was without borders
As anyone who had eaten your exquisitely prepared dishes
Knows
And remembers.

You admired the writing of Chrysta Wolfe. I too.
You in German, I in English translations.
“Flawed as her Germany and as wise...” we would nod, sip wine, and nod.
How would Chrysta chronicle your renaissance mind?
My question returns to me through the amber gaze of nostalgia... for which you always forgave me, with a sigh as for the afflicted.

You read volumes of Civil War history, organized neighborhood Halloween block parties, baked holiday cookies that I would call sentimental in their delicate abundance
(You would not.)

You nurtured a young girl in our neighborhood who wanted to learn to plant flowers... she would follow you from mission to mission.
I don’t know where she is now.
I know that you are gone.

My dear Determined Neighbor of the Determined Smile ,
Enamored with life, as a besotted enthusiast,

I have inherited your teas, which you prepared precisely for me those years when you were two doors down. I shall indulge myself of nostalgic sentimentality with every cup, without you here to notice and roll your eyes.

I shall
Miss you.

I did not know Petra, but I know Aadra. I kept up with Petra’s health—the rebounds and the slumps—and knew she was very lucky to have such a wide circle of friends.
I came in on the scene when I helped Aadra tame the front yard. I was taken aback at all the beautiful flowers blooming. Hummingbirds and butterflies were everywhere. I could tell that Petra was “into” her Yard on a much higher level than the average person.

Not knowing someone, but getting to know them after they have passed away is not something I have experienced before. While helping Aadra thin down the inventory, I ended up with quite a collection at my house. So, I will tell you how I know Petra by the things I acquired.
1-There is not a tag in a shirt, sweater or pair of pants—only if it is printed on the material will you know the size!
2-Petra was prepared, there were Kleenex and bandaids stuck everywhere.
3-She had tools, she tackled her own ‘stuff.’ I like that!
4-She liked cotton sheets—100% cotton—none of that blended stuff.
5-She must have saved every pot that a plant came in. There were stacks of them. I even took some of them because I really hated to toss something that surely could have another purpose later on.
6-She liked books and a very wide variety of subject books.
7-She liked games.
8-She liked to grocery shop at Harris Teeter.
9-She ordered flower seeds with abandon.
10-She loved art---and had a very nice collection of beautiful paintings and metal art.
11-She loved nice wood furniture.
12-She had a campfire ring in the backyard. I think this was for her nephews. I took the bricks that formed the ring for my firepit.

It is amazing that she shared so much with her friends and that helps one to remember the good times. You pick up the ‘whatever’ and you are taken back to a wonderful relationship. I do think that what you ‘scatter’ is really what counts.
I would have liked her very much.

Thanksgiving 2013 -- before the eating!

All dressed up for a wedding!