Straddle the Turtle

Dream Poem

04.11.2026 by Barbara Grant //

I came across a note torn from a small tablet buried under a month’s worth of papers, files and books. It is my attempt to record a dream in the middle of the night. It seemed worth saving so I tossed it on my desk and forgot about it until today.

I couldn’t remember what it was until I noticed there was more on the back – a scribbled drawing and description of a vision as the dream melted away.

Then it came back to me, and I was inspired to write.

March 2026 Dream

Esther gave me babydoll pajamas for graduation.
First time I remember a gift from a relative outside
large Christmas gatherings. Gift-wrapped pj’s
for my own special occasion. I did not expect it
and never forgot, going forward remembering
my sibling’s children on their special days.

Esther’s son, Norman, driving home one night
crashed and was killed. We were the same age,
in our late teens maybe. So long ago, but
what I remember clearly is the viewing.
He’d grown a beard, which surprised me.
I always called him “Normie” because Esther did.

Recently, I woke in a dream about them: Mother and Son
More than fifty years since his death, maybe ten since
her passing. They slowly vanished as I woke, his
portrait in a picture frame slowly circling and
receding back into the aether as he assured me,
“Keep doing what you’re doing. Love people.”

Winter Newsletter 2025

12.31.2025 by Barbara Grant //

Dear family and friends,

Christmas Eve morning I awoke from one of those easy-to-analyze dreams about frantically running around unprepared for a big deadline.

What I recall is entering a University auditorium where I am one of the students cueing up to give our presentations at a podium with our instructor presiding. I am naked except for a chintzy towel wrapped around my torso. I hold my notes in one hand and the ends of the towel in the other. The notes are inscribed on a Tibetan prayer flag in a language I don’t know.

The first time I step up toward our instructor I am gently sent to the back of the line. There I notice students mulling around in disorder. One in particular, a smartly dressed young lady, is focused on her notes, practicing her delivery. “I’m doomed”, I gasp and run to the lady’s room.

Turns out to be a laundry room. I grab someone’s oversized t-shirt, trading it for the skimpy towel and venture back out to conquer my challenge! But I still can’t read my notes. Grasping my skull I plead, “Can’t you even remember the GIST of what you wanted to say?!!” As I approached the stage for a 2nd time, vague thoughts begin to form as I think maybe I can wing it…and then I woke up.

If you guessed that this message to me is that I am not meeting deadlines lately, this is so true.

But our family is getting by, our twin dogs are hanging in there (Roxy & Ringo will be 11 years old next month!), and somehow we do manage to accomplish a few important things.

christmas greetings from Barb, Bob, Roxy & Ringo

First and foremost, Grant’s View by Paul Turelli is now out in hardback. I’m really proud of this. It’s our first hardback cover attempted, and I learned a lot. Plus, we were able to get KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to allow Martin Balow’s handwriting to be included in his drawing of Sgt. Robert Grant (something they resisted on the paperback version).

Bob ordered Hardback copies for each of the natural descendants as a family keepsake. The book is written by Paul featuring Sergeant Robert Grant (KIA 1944) as the narrator. Bob feels his presence. So he penned a personal inscription on the front page of each of their copies as if it was from their Grantfather & Great-Grantfather ‘from beyond’.

Because our good friend, Jim Vondrak, did some genealogy research we have been able to connect with Martin Balow’s granddaughter! What a thrill to actually connect with Michelle Crosby and to realize the excitement was mutual. She sent more of his awesome drawings of the men in his unit including this one of Bob’s father. We hope to arrange a time to get together.

This amazing story, which is portrayed in my two previous newsletters, just keeps on giving…

book by Paul Turelli entitled Apple Blossom Lane

I’ve enjoyed creating other book covers for Paul Turelli. One of my favorites to work on and to read is entitled Apple Blossom Lane. I was able to relate to this story about a neighborhood gang of children growing up together… it helped me remember friends and fun but also to recount some sad memories.

After the holidays I will finish up the cover for Paul’s waiting manuscript entitled Stephanie, Sky and the Moon, which is the conclusion of his “Dreams” series. This latest project along with preparing for the holidays is probably what fed into my dream about deadlines, but Paul is patient and always says, “No rush…”

All of Paul’s publications can be found on his website: https://paulturelli.com/

On three separate occasions during this last year, I happened to be with a group of family or friends when the subject of ZINES came up. In each case there was curiosity about my passion for making zines and what they are. My response: “Give me a piece of paper, and I’ll show you in 30 seconds!

People love this hands-on craft to communicate an idea, describe an event or tell a story. And kids love to tell their own stories! I hope to find time to make many more zines to add to my collection, to carry in my purse and share. I do sell them in my on-line shop for a few dollars, but if you tell me you want one I will send it to you free – I can’t stop myself from sharing the fun!

And wait, here’s a link to “How to Make a Zine: A Kid-Friendly DIY Guide” by Celia C. Pérez: https://www.readbrightly.com/how-to-make-zine/

Saturday mornings are reserved for our local Urban Sketchers group, drawing with other artists at various locations around the Milwaukee area. Here we are at the historic downtown Pfister Hotel recently.

group of artist holding up sketches of Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel

And… on Sunday afternoons I’m able to connect via zoom with my Chicago collegeiate friends who gather religiously to make art together and helped to form the Oddball Art Labs: a non-profit artist based organization created to advance the presence of the arts in the Fox Valley and greater Chicagoland area (https://www.oddballartlabs.org/)

Sending love and peace ~ ~ ~ Barbara & Bob Grant

P.S. My phone updated with a free version of Gemini AI. For fun, I asked it to inspire me with a thoughtful wish for the New Year. It focused on “Quiet Growth” 😉 I sign off on this positive note from technology as we head into 2026:

“May you have the courage to be a beginner in something that makes your heart beat faster, and the grace to be kind to yourself on the days when progress feels invisible.”

🙏

Grantview Studio Spring Newsletter

04.25.2025 by Barbara Grant //

Greetings from Grantview Studio!

Last year’s trip to Belgium generated some good things 🌷

It has been one year since our family travelled to Belgium to visit the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery where my husband’s birth father is buried. Sgt. Robert Grant was killed at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. Since returning Bob has created a grotto in our back yard to remember his dad, and we’ve stayed in touch with the woman who volunteered to visit the cemetery on our behalf.

She recently emailed photos of her latest visit to place a bouquet of red roses and reported removing bird droppings from the top of the cross.

This prompted Bob’s comment, “Must have been a bird resting there.” Things like this make it into my journal – possible ideas for compositions.

If my journal entry is difficult to read, it basically records that I learned the common Kestrel is the national bird of Belgium, so I made a quick sketch of Mr. Kestrel perched on the cross of Sgt. Robert Grant.

My brother-in-law Paul, a writer, became fascinated by the account in my last newsletter about the reuniting of father and son after 80 years. It inspired him to write the story, spending countless hours digging into legal documents, letters, telegrams, photos, newspaper clippings, researching locations and interviewing anyone who might help fill in the gaps of a life almost forgotten. Our pingpong table was piled with artifacts, and he and Bob created a timeline on an adjacent wallboard. The source of my husband’s yearning for most of his life was being unearthed and finally taking shape after all those years. Paul’s sensitivity to the emotional roller coaster this caused in our family is something for which we cannot repay.

He titled the story Grant’s View and invited me to create the artwork for the eBook & Paperback. On the front cover I incorporated the use of a drawing that is not mine. It is a portrait of Bob’s dad in uniform. Martin Balow is the artist who sketched him from life. (His tiny initials can be seen on the lower right side.) Sgt. Grant then lovingly addressed the drawing to his wife Marie. We found this original drawing in her box of letters.

From the first time I laid eyes on this gem, I understood what a precious record it was. Any trained artist would note the choices made: the variety of pressure of pencil point to paper, the economy of line, the tenderness rendered – a meditation of truth transferred to the page. I marvel that the facial features depicted are recognizable in Robert’s offspring, the men and grandchildren in my life.

I hope someday we may learn the whereabouts of this thoughtful artist’s family to share our stories.

Grant’s View is now available on Amazon.com. Just click this link Amazon.com …or search “Paul Turelli books” on Amazon.com

🌷🌷🌷

As for Grantview Studio, I’m still connecting with my OddBall artist group in Illinois. Many of us participated in the Looking In Looking Out windows exhibit organized by Sara Peak Convery (Arts Alive Chicago). My contribution was a painting on an old window frame called Dance Studio.

I am gifting this one to my dear friend Peggy who suddenly became my impromptu model. It was such an intense collaboration, an important experience for both of us about the anguish of war.

You can learn more about it on my Grantview Studio blog: (that’s https://grantviewstudio.com/blog)

Most Saturday mornings I’m with my Milwaukee sketch group, drawing points of interest in and around our fine city. I’m always open to learning from other artists about new art supplies, techniques and soaking up their various views about…everything. There’s a good vibe that feeds my soul when I’m with my friends.

* Here we are hamming it up for the photographer at Mitchel Park Domes.

The most recent highlight for Roxy and Ringo was a whole week’s visit with granddaughter Bell, who hopes to someday “live out in the country and take in ALL the rescue dogs that nobody wants.” Bell is the youngest of eleven grandchildren in our blended family.

Our great-grandchild David was born last August! Here he is galloping on his rocking horse!

David wearing cowboy hat riding rocking horse

We thank you for your interest in our Grantview Studio endeavors & projects, along with a few family updates. 
And we always love hearing back from you!

Wishing you peace and happiness
  🙏 
Bob & Barbara Grant

🌷🌷🌷

See contact page to stay in touch ~ ~ ~

p.s. I continue to create new work and manage my websites, where I post other things beside our newsletters.

(Most of what I share are stories about the creative process.)

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