I can be a collaging poor fool from time to time, as evidenced by my piano room that has a collage on just about every wall. It's "in the genes" as they say. All you have to do is look at the three 4x8 foot pieces of plywood collaged by my Dad and I to celebrate the USA's bi-centennial in 1976, or the many many movie star books he has collaged over the years to see where my collage-iness originates. I'm posting photos of some of them here today, because my most observant friend, Evelyn, noticed the dangling envelopes in a previous post about my beautiful new quilt. She was curious-so I thought I'd share the story with the rest of you here.
Having lost many people that I've loved over the years, I try to find a way to hold them close and remind myself that they are with me on another plane. I believe that they live on in the way that the energy of their spirits has touched my heart and sometimes in their possessions or things they have written. Sometimes it's silly things: I have Madam Vera's very heavy marble ashtray that she used when I visited; I have my Nannie's apron that she used to wear every holiday when she was cooking; and then there's Nannie's diamond studded, engraved, wedding band from Papa that I wear on my right hand every day...which isn't a silly thing at all! As I was closing down Columbus Street after the levees broke, I found many of my cards and letters, both sent and received, from over the years. I found my many letters from Madam Vera in Paris, my letters and poems from Bennie, and letters and cards from Nannie. I decided that Vera's letters could come to France and hang under her collage and that Bennie's letters and poems should come too and hang from the bottom of his poem about bells that I've framed with a photo of the church and the cross in Saujac. I've chosen the beautiful and colorful Cajarc envelopes to hold my treasures and have attached them to the back of the frame with a variety of cloth and decorative ribbons. When I got back to St. Louis there were other letters and cards that Mom had kept over the years. I chose some of the poignant ones between her and my Dad, and between Mom and Dad and Nannie and Papa from when we were living in England after I was first born. I've put many of them in an envelope under a family collage and the Nannie and Papa collage I blogged about a while back! I chose to come to France. My choice meant that I had to choose what things meant most to bring with me to France. I guess you can see where my priorities lie!
I'm really excited about being connected with so many interesting, caring and creative people! You two fit the bill!
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | July 25, 2009 at 01:35 PM
I love them too, also the old photos etc., its funny or interesting how memories become important when you get older (I mean beyond 50!) and you have to keep things even if you don't have space for them ! and thanks for posting my photos in your wonderful album and the photos from your youth, and I have an idea about making a book with photos and memories ! have a nice weekend
Posted by: Niels Windfeld Lund | July 25, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Thanks Evelyn...it really is a fun way to keep track of those pieces that can escape so easily!
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | July 25, 2009 at 01:12 PM
I love them! Thank you for sharing. The envelopes are beautiful and so are the memories.
Posted by: Evelyn Jackson | July 25, 2009 at 01:02 PM