The phone trills bright and early. It can only be my 91-year-old Mom. It’s 8:00 AM. On a Sunday.
“Let’s do lunch at Van Dusen Gardens today. My treat. The blossoms will be spectacular. I need to take pictures of them for my next painting.”
Of course. Her current painting is almost finished and she’ll be itching for new ideas.
“I’m going to do a HUGE canvas of nothing but blossoms.”
Such an innocent comment for those not in the know. Allow me to enlighten you. Five years ago she tore two of her right rotator cuff muscles while hauling herself up a ladder swinging from the side of a Russian Icebreaker bobbing about in the cold waters of Hudson Bay. Surgery was necessary for repair; something she refused to undertake at 86. Optional treatment: physiotherapy, ice and Tylenol. It’s painful for her to lift things above her waist. But no worries. She’s cultivated a wonderful network amongst the neighbours in her apartment building since she resumed painting in 2006. They happily pop in to lift canvases on and off the easel. A HUGE canvas means she’ll see lots of them.
Nope she won’t let a torn rotator cuff or two hold her down. Last week the two of us travelled to LA (yes, still looking for those elusive shockingly purple pants) and just last night she sent me the latest draft of her article for her building’s newsletter. Safe to say she’s still blossoming at 91.
We encounter a slight hiccup at Van Dusen Gardens. It’s day two of the annual Sakura Days Japan Fair. Thousands have turned out to tour the gardens. The lineup at the gate is daunting but there’s lots of room in the restaurant.
“Kel, let’s just eat and then drive around looking for blossoms.”
We do.
Each subsequent mile reveals better and better painting inspiration.
Apologies for the blurriness of the one immediately above. She got out while the car was still moving.
Finally. After many miles and a good hour we find THE perfect blossoming tree.
This tree has her positively spinning. And where is this magnificent specimen?
Smack outside her own front door.
Enough about me and my still blossoming at 91 mom. I’m curious about you. Do you have a fondness for blossoms? What inspires your creativity? Know somebody still blossoming at 91? And yes, might you know where we can find a pair of shockingly purple pants that aren’t “something old ladies would wear?” If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
26 Responses
i laughed out loud with the blurry picture and her jumping out while the car is still moving. I think your blog about her could be a very entertaining book. It is refreshing to read about someone that so enjoys themself. She is definitely an inspiration. And – two years ago bobbing around in Hudson Bay on an icebreaker!!!!! wow!
Aw thanks Vickie – she is quite the gal, I must say.
This brought back memories of when I was a kid and my mom would stop the car to get out and pick up interesting things – broken tree branches, seed pods, dry flowers – anything she thought might be useful in the wreaths she loved to make. Now, many, many years later, and with my mom no longer around, guess who’s jumping out of the car to get that interesting thing? Yup. I’m with your mom. Thanks, Kelly.
Of course! Can just see you popping in and out of the car to pick up interesting things to take back to your studio. Heading over there myself to check out Penelope’s suitors.
I love Frankie’s joie de vivre!
(my tree is beautiful too)
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Rose. Joie de vivre indeed! Spotted your tree on Instagram and FB and I think I must drive Mom by for photos. It’s amazing!
This is an amazing dose of inspiration. I love her get-up-and-go, her ideas, her curiosity and and creativity. She is my idol! I love your title and story!
Thanks Debbie. Mom can always be counted on for a dollop or ten of inspiration.
Beautiful story…..and I can so relate. I’m always looking for the blossoms or some critter that I can capture with my camera and then paint. Zoos are one of my favorite places to spend a day with my camera in hand!
Zoos – brilliant. What a good idea. Our zoo is no longer in operation. At least the one I grew up with. However there is one out in the valley – I should take Mom out there for a spin and a photo op. Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE your Mom’s beautiful white hair! She sounds like a wonderful person.
Sadly, I don’t think bright purple pants are ‘in’ this season, so you might have trouble finding them. Thrift stores might be your best option.
She has lovely hair doesn’t she Kathy? She sometimes threatens to tint it pink – but that hasn’t happened yet. Good idea on the thrift store front for the pants. She’s seen a pair or two that she might consider but they haven’t been the right size. We’ll keep hunting.
At her age she’s talking about dying her hair pink?!? Too funny!
Make sure you post a picture of her purple pants when she gets them.
Yes I sure will!
Okay when i come to visit you, and I will you are on my list, I have to meet this incredible lady also know as your Mum. I love her spirit and again will be sharing this side splitting story to inspire people to never ever stop living.
Yes – come for a visit! Mom lives to show off her studio and her paintings and her treasures and – hopefully by the time you come – her newly acquired shockingly purple pants! Thanks so much again for sharing Karen. She’s tickled pink.
Love this story, and I am still laughing about your Mum jumping out of the car before it stopped ! She reminds me of my aunt in England. She was an avid photographer, and always in search of a perfect flower to photograph. She would go careening around the narrow English roads ( she was a dreadful driver), and come to a screeching halt when she spotted one !
Oh Jane this makes me smile. What a hoot. A dreadful driver careening around the roads and coming to a screeching halt upon the sight of the perfect flower. You are so lucky to have experienced that (and survived it…).
Oh my god, I hope that is me and my kids are driving me around so that I can snap photos to paint when I’m 91! Love it!
Me too Sue! The funny thing is she really doesn’t think it’s so extraordinary. It’s just what she does as part of her day…
Hi Kelly love the lastest chapter in you life. They always say the nut doesn’t fall from the tree. Seems our neighbourhood’s greatest mystery has been solved. The secret is out as to where you get your sense of adventure, sense of humour, your boundless energy and obvious creativity!! Your Mom sounds like a firecracker and I hope to be just like her in my later years – keeping my children busy, and filling there life full of memories. Lucky you to have her as a role model. To M & H – take note, stay fit, wear sensible shoes, and get ready your lives are going to be full and rich.
Hahahah! Neighbourhood’s greatest mystery – I first read “misery!” Glad I reread. Too funny. Love that you noted her sensible shoes. She calls them her “Kramer shoes” due to one Seinfeld episode. Speaking of the latter she has George’s mom’s voice down to a fine art. It’s spooky. Thanks for the lovely comments Janice. I’ll pass ’em on to mom. She’ll be tickled pink (or purple – her fave colour of late).
Hi Kelly:
This is such a darling post! Made me smile!!! Thank you so much!
Thanks Amy. Glad you smiled – Hope our hosts as they look back on that delightful afternoon are able to as well …
Beautiful. You, your mom, the blossoms. Your mom teaches me to live with a spunky zest. I think your mom got the best daughter in the world. (Your sister Wendy is a mighty best too.) I LOVE YOUR LIFE and I totally see your mom in you. I can’t wait for the post about the new painting. xo
Thanks Susan. As usual your comment is one I want to frame. Thank you so much. Painting canvas has been prepped and she is about to begin. I’ll keep you posted!