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.
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…
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.
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.”
🙏