Godspeed, you road warriors...

...yes, that was supposed to be us. We were supposed to leave yesterday at the crack of dawn to start our drive to Telluride, spend last night watching the sunset and drinking wine from our the porch of friends in Taos and then lazily climb our way up the mountain to arrive at our destination for dinner. We'll be staying with Moon Bear - that's Christopher, Seth's boyfriend. Craig arrives - uh, yesterday. Yep, we're behind in our travels.

Oh, have no fear...we'll be leaving today. We'll drive like the wind, that's Evan's specialty even when he's sleep deprived from putting up a last sign for a client. And on the way, I'll complete the work on my course syllabus and write the toast that I'll give at Seth's party. Yes, it's his "retirement" party. A huge blow-out of a party. I met Seth in 1980 when we were both teaching at the same small, quite new, private Episcopal high school in a rented building in Cabin John, Md: St Andrew's Episcopal School.It was a magical place for students and teachers alike, but of course, like all schools, not without its problems. Now, they are like a country club, with an endowment and a lush, sprawling campus out in Potomac.

Anyway, I was straight out of college and freshly back from studying in France - a degree in French and a diploma in Secondary Education led me to answer an ad in the Washington Post for a teaching position in a small private school. The minute I sat down in front of the headmaster, Dr Borg - a wonderful man, he informed me that the French teacher had changed her mind and wasn't leaving. Could I teach Latin? (Well, I HAD taken Latin at Gettysburg although my professor was a drunk) Could I teach a course called Introduction to Languages to 7th graders? Basically, a course in Latin & Greek word roots, Etymology 101. Sure, I could do it. Could I teach Music Appreciation? I guess so. I had played the flute in high school. A month later: could I teach Spanish? Mrs XYZ had left screaming out of the classroom and they saw on my transcripts that I had taken it in college. I actually put my foot down when they asked me to coach field hockey (I did coach girls' basketball and volleyball, however) but not before I taught the last semester of Shakespeare to 10th graders and had one gifted student who qualified for Advanced French.

But a few months into that first year at St A's, Mr Phillips - the pain pill addicted Science teacher - was found out. The students used to say that he would disappear into his 1970's blue Chevy when he wasn't teaching and would fall asleep there. So, Dr Borg fired him, place another classified ad and here came: Mr Berg - the vintage tuxedo wearing, afro sportin', Jewish kid - fresh out of Oberlin.

Seth had been there about a week, and I, having just finished a lesson on the word root "homo" and building combinations with a bunch of howling 7th graders, was gathering up my "desk" (we all shared classrooms), as he paid me a vist. He sat down at in a kid's spot and quite seriously asked: "So, how do you keep them in their seats?" It was at that moment that I realized we were both the youngest, inexperienced teachers there - hired out of the newspaper want ads - and entrusted with these kids by the Patron Saint of lost causes, Dr Warren Borg. Seth and I bonded that day, needless to say I taught him all kinds of tricks on how to keep 12 year olds seated (!). He and I became fast friends. We went on to host an annual Beach Party every summer for the graduating seniors, chaperoned kids to concerts like the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones when their parents didn't want to go, introduced the older students to the worlds of picking vintage clothing and performing drag queens, he sang with the kids in a rock band and I in a musical...but most of all we shared with them our love of learning and our passions for the subjects we taught. Seth left St Andrew's after a few years and went off to teach at Burke Mt Academy. I stayed at St Andrew's and took kids up there during spring break to ski. When I went on to grad school and later design school & work in Paris, Seth visited me often. We made movies each summer and started Red Gun Productions with Craig, Alec and Edie. We traveled through France, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. He was a "bridesmaid" in both of my weddings, took care of me when I had cancer and is the favorite "guncle" to my twins.

And throughout it all - he has remained a very, very best friend of mine. So, we are going to Telluride to celebrate the "retirement" of Seth aka Mr. Berg, aka ICE of Ice and the Bergs, aka the 2008 Colorado TOY - Teacher of the Year, after his 30 yrs of teaching. As I also celebrate our 30 years of friendship.

Seth, Alec & Kathy filming a Red Gun Production in Alexandria, VA:


Seth & Christopher, Christmas 2010, Austin ,TX:


Seth & Creed, Port Aransas, TX:

Mud May...

...rarely do I just post photos, but I couldn't resist these pictures taken last weekend at the most awesome birthday party/mudslide that I have seen in years. I want to have a party like this for the grownups...

Creed's big plans...

...so, yesterday I spoke with my mother-in-law who wanted to talk about where the kids would go to high school and college! Not exactly on the top of our list for worries or projections at the moment, since we still need to start kindergarten in the fall.
And then I really wanted to open the can of worms and tell her what Creed's plans are for his own future.

Creed has a girlfriend AKA his "wife" named Millie. Sometimes it's Sophia or Kate, but 99% of the time it's Millie. They have been at Ecole for 3 years together now. His plans all seem to include her.

"Mom, I need money to go to Mexico so Millie and I can have a big party for our friends. We're going to ride whales."

"Dad, let's go to Home Depot and buy paint and wood for the house Millie and I are building in Mexico."

"Mom, I am needing to go to the airport at midnight. Millie and I are moving to New York to start a band"

"Dad, my band is going to be called 'Creed and the Firemen.' Do you think Alejandro will join? Millie's band is called 'Millie and the Ambulance.'"

"Mom, can you meet us in New York and bring Millie the wedding dress if she forgets it?"

This has been going on for months now...so finally yesterday, I asked him why he wants to get married to Millie at such a young age.

His response: She's nice. I like her a lot and we're friends.
Me: Okay - good reasons. What will you do when you get married?
Creed: Oh, we'll be parents. I'll make signs and Millie will make dresses, go to meetings and have breast cancer.

Wow.

Yee haw! Kindergarten Round up...

...I guess it's a Texas thing, as that's what they call the Orientation when they invite the future fall Kindergarteners to see their school. Creed, Zelda, Evan and I showed up early yesterday morning to the cafeteria where we were handed 2 huge packets of forms to fill out, and tons of info on the PTA, I am not sure I can even go there yet with volunteering - as I am still serving as the Board President for Ecole...sigh.

Next, the K teachers arrived and the kids were divided up to spend an hour in a real classroom with other equally suspicious, terrified or clueless 5 year olds. I'd have to say that Creed was suspicious and Zelda: clueless, but it all went quite flawlessly.

Now, it's back to solidifying our summer plans for Paris. Ecole graduation is June 1st when they toss their little Montessori seedlings out into the big world.
We leave for Telluride, CO., the very next day for our guncle Seth's retirement party. Back to Austin for a few weeks of camp, then off to France on June 30th. Still to do: passports, arranging apartment stay, writing my curriculum for my course that I am teaching on Fashion & Design, moving Ecole to its new location and last but not least: getting everything ready to finish the book in Paris!

La Petite Zelda goes to Paris...is becoming a reality. )ur kickstarter site is up - please help fund our cause! We will get our wonderful illustrator on site to photograph, film, and sketch Zelda as she discovers the city and start working on our final draft for publishing. Merci to all who have pledged thus far...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1445129892/la-petite-zelda-goes-to-paris

La Petite Zelda is going to Paris...

...come and help us write our book about discovering the City of Light through touch, smell, taste and sound.
"La Petite Zelda goes to Paris"...is the story of Zelda and her brother Creed who helps his sister "see" Paris through discovery using all of her senses except sight. We'll visit Le Jarden de Tuileries, La Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame, the flea markets, the boulangeries, and so many other places. Close your eyes and imagine it...The book will be illustrated by Aaron Flynn - see an example of his work above! - and will be published in English, French and Braille.

I have just launched my kickstarter project so please click on the above link and see the story that we'll be writing while in Paris this summer - we need your support to make this dream a reality. For those of you unfamiliar with the Kickstarter program, it is a funding project to help artists bring their projects to realization. Each funding level will receive a gift from us, so please take a look...and merci, mille fois...

Cancer makes you do crazy things...

...so I got a summer job in Paris. I'll be teaching Fashion & Design to exchange students and the twins will come over there with me for 6 weeks or so.

Cancer is a funny beast. I have known it intimately. And for those who know me well, they are accustomed to my flights of folly. I have, since I was a teenager, or my parents could probably argue earlier than that, have figured out something I've wanted and gone about getting it. There was drawing a picture and getting it published on the cover of a book for the United Nations when I was 12, going to France for the first time when I was 15, spending every summer of my life in the mountains in a canoe, on a trail or hanging off cliffs until I was 24, deciding to become a teacher, going to grad school on a full scholarship, selling everything to move back to Paris for design school, making TV shows & movies, writing, public speaking, riding motorcycles, getting married to a not so good "was-bund" and marrying a much better one, having twins at 47, raising little kids in my 50's (one who is blind), returning to full-time designing...the list goes on and there are oh, so many things I CAN'T or won't mention (for now)...

But it's that doggone cancer that pricks you like a pin and says "Wake the fuck up and do more!" "What haven't you done in your life that you've wanted to do?" I have heard people say that they wake up after fighting cancer - they smell the flowers, they love harder, they acknowledge life and are more patient with others. I have even heard people thank cancer for opening their eyes and giving them a new lease on life. One woman once said something like she wished everyone she knew could have the mental and emotional effect of having cancer to experience how it changes you. Personally, I think that's a crock of shit and wouldn't wish cancer - even for its life-changing values - on anyone!

But I must admit, cancer - even in the tiniest ways - makes me do some things differently. Ever since I lived for all of those years in France, I've always said I would like to go back and spend a month there every year - especially now that Creed & Zelda are around. But, did I ever attempt a plan? Look into it? Do any research? Well, no - I would visit, attend shows, visit museums, have parties and delight in old friends... And then the other day I saw the post and with my "life's too short, eat dessert first attitude", I applied for the job: each day imagining a summer where I could teach what I love and spend time with my dear friends, introducing my kids to the city that is such a part of me, soaking up "ma dose" of inspiration, work on my book (oh! you didn't know that I was writing one?), and make new connections for my one-of-a-kind slow fashion movement.

So, here we go...do I have the money for the plane tickets yet? Well, no. Have I secured us an apartment yet? Well, no. What will happen at my shop while we're there? Haven't decided yet. And there's Evan...my husband: watching, wondering, silently shaking his head, waiting for the plan to unfold...and it will.

Less then 90 days and counting...on arrive!

Yoko, hello...

...yes, it was me...the crazy woman that had to thank Yoko Ono for her support of the Braille Institute free books for blind kids. When I heard that she would be here for SXSW, I only barely imagined just running into her with Zelda and introducing the two of them. But SXSW had come and gone, and there I was on a quiet Monday in my shop, chatting with Jerry, my neighbor. And then I saw her - crossing the street, coming towards the sidewalk in front of my atelier. She was so petite, in black and white, with her face obscured by a fedora & sunglasses - but I knew it was her. She didn't stop but kept walking on with her 2 assistants.

In a split second, non-thinking moment, I went after her, leaving my shop unattended. I caught up to them and passed them, and when her assistant spoke, I turned around as if to be surprised. "Oh, my...Yoko Ono." As I spoke - who knows exactly what I said except for "my 5 1/2 yr old daughter is blind and thank you so much for supporting Braille literacy" among other things. I saw her shoulders drop and relax as she listened and realized that I wasn't such a crazy stalker - only a mildly crazy one...she offered her hand to grasp mine, smiled and said to send Zelda her best wishes.

And then I moved on - but to where? I kept on walking to Jo's, met my friend Aaron at the front of the line and said - still reeling from my Yoko encounter - "I have no money with me, can you buy me a tea?, and here comes Yoko Ono." And then as we waited, there was a tap on my shoulder, and all of Jo's was staring, as Yoko wanted to talk to me again! She wanted to thank me this time, for stopping and explaining my situation and talking about la petite Zelda. She told me it "made her feel so much better." So, I wasn't such the crazy stalker, but the grateful mom that so appreciates every few months when we receive that Braille catalogue in the mail for a choice of free books, and on the front of the catalogue reads: with grateful support from Yoko Ono Lennon...