I learned this idea of adorning nature from my friend Dorothy who lived on wooded property in Kettle Moraine State Forest. She cleared hidden spaces and decorated them, creating lovely sitting areas, sections for prayer and meditation, and a fairy garden for her granddaughter. She posted signage to keep visitors from getting lost and leading to forest exits, entrances and toboggan hills. She designed (and had constructed by a canvas company) a tent that was a replica of a red barn, and she lived in it during the warm months. And once she ordered ice block forms and built an igloo at the base of the woods – big enough for several of us to crawl into for a small gathering!

Every one of my grandkids has hiked “Dorothy’s Woods” with me, which inspired a series of paintings I named after her. She passed away very recently, but I will never forget her strength, courage and inventiveness.

Dorothy is not the only one who has left my earthly sphere. I’ve said goodbye to a number of people who’ve  influenced my life in this last year. Please indulge me as I pay tribute to some of them:

Shortly after Dave’s passing, I lost my precious friend Char, who encouraged my work and allowed me to exhibit in her space, Charlene’s Gallery Ten in Door County. Our relationship was about so much more than business. She had a collection of funny stories about her own faux pas, but it was her way of telling them that always had me in stitches. We seemed to revert back to our childhoods when we were together. Allow me to share just one of many examples: During a day of working hard in her gallery, we took a much needed break and went for a walk along a country road. We came upon an open field of lovely soft grass. We couldn’t resist and ran to flop on our backs and gaze up at the blue sky of floating clouds. It was simply heaven, and we agreed we could stay there forever…until Char admitted in a wee tentative voice, “Barb, I have to pee.” Agh…CHAR!!!” We love that one! Loved, and I will carry it with me always.

Finally, we visited our granddog Beamer at Thanksgiving time and said our last goodbyes knowing he would not be with us much longer. But he lived a good long life. Here are Roxy & Ringo dressed up to pay their respects, a moment of silence for their buddy ❤️ And there is “Beamie” on the lookout at Whitewater Lake.

It’s been an emotional 365 days. As we move forward into the New Year, I plan to process it all by working in my studio; this has always been my best therapy.