Some Days You Get a Nice Surprise

Most mornings I’m woken up by the thump of the mail dropping into the mailbox. I should (a) buy a new one and install it somewhere other than in the entry outside the bedroom wall, (b) put something in the bottom to silence the thump, (c) throw something at the mailman or (d) go to bed earlier and not be such a flickr.com addict. Last Tuesday, the day before we left for a short road trip, the mail was late. I know it was, no 9:30am wake-up thump and I checked around noon to make sure.…nothing. Around five o’clock I heard a voice from the vicinity of the front door, “I see nobody remembered to check the mail this morning.” The mailman must have been awfully late (again) or they changed the routes. In any case, there were two bills, a pizza flyer, a “currant occupant” envelope and a gray envelope stamped AIR MAIL from Claremont California. I went for the Air Mail first, of course.


















In the envelope was cellophane bag with a bundle of ancient looking sheet music tied up with a red string. Inside the bundle was sparkly, sheer ocean-colored fabric, matching dyed cotton fabric, several kinds of turquoise water-colored paper with sparkles, ribbon, buttons and a little bird stamped on cotton muslin. In the middle of the goodies was a lovely fiber art ATC and a business card printed with RUTH RAE Jewelry and Mixed Media.


















The minute I saw those colors, I knew where the ATC would live. In the guest room, (my “Summer Room”) I put it on the drawn threadwork pillowcase on the bed and snapped a photo.


















I tried it on the dresser next to my mom’s earrings and turquoise vanity set,


















.......then in the silver dish of “decorator candies” wrapped in turquoise foil,


















and finally behind the band of my new sun hat, sitting on a beach glass blue cushion, waiting for summer. If Miss Judith can wear ATCs on her pretty ballet slippers, I can wear one on my hat!

















While I was plotting, planning and playing my traveling companion/driver/all-round-good-guy asked from around the corner, “Aren’t you finished packing yet?” (No, just busy with my ATC.) Like a kid who wants to take his newest toy to bed with him, I didn’t want to leave my new ATC behind! (Thank you, Ruth!)