The Style Crone loves to walk in City Park, which is a block from our home and has been our back yard for the length of our relationship. Every season brings its grandeur; spring has its flowering trees and of course, the lilacs. There is an area filled with lilac bushes with flower clusters displaying many shades of lavender and purple, and as I walk along the path between the shrubs, the heavenly scent is a welcomed morning delight. The space by the pavilion and the band shell is the site of the summer Sunday evening 'City Park Jazz' concerts, which
The wisteria branches in the garden speak to me as I walk by, providing a daily image of our relationship. The SC and Nelson were lovingly entwined and remain so as the days float by, even though his physical presence no longer exists in my current life of confusion. I don't have the rhythm of this new life, but perhaps it's improvisation. I have been planning the memorial service and the celebration of Nelson's life down to the minute detail and taking death certificates around the city, following the structured worksheet provided by Natural Transitions. (Now that is NOT a rose
Thank you to all for your beautiful, kind, compassionate and generous words during this time of grief and sadness. Camille and The SC have been touched by your comforting comments which have been accepted with gratitude. We honor that many of you have had similar experiences and we are aware that grief is universal. Your expressions of empathy have provided solace and support. Even though we knew that Nelson was leaving, we weren't prepared for the feelings of devastation, disorientation, and the heaviness of heart. Every day is unfamiliar as we slowly adjust to the overwhelming loss of a
Nelson transitioned on April 20, 2011 with The Style Crone and Camille at his side, loving him and touching him as he drew his last breath. His dazzling smile and inspirational spirit live on in the air that we breathe. Now cracks a noble heart Good night, sweet prince And flights of angels Sing thee to thy rest -Shakespeare
Photo by The Style Crone There's that dime we've been turning on again. How quickly things change as crisis hit yesterday and didn't get resolved without 12 hours in the ER. Nelson spent the day in bed before a late night ambulance intervention set up by hospice. The SC's pin collection gazed at her during this day as part of the art in our bedroom. Each unique piece a reflection of a spot in time. Gifts from Nelson, family and friends. Estate sales and yard sales. Events and dates. Thirty-four years spoke to me from velvet and frame. Status change
Photos by Nelson Vintage pink fur felt hat with pearls, vintage black cropped jacket, vintage white lace blouse, vintage pink leather gloves, vintage black suede clutch and vintage pearls-estate sales, vintage black suede with leather trim Andrea Carrano heeled ankle boots-consignment shop, long blue/grey Matsuda skirt with attached wide black waistband-consignment shop. The Style Crone loves the concrete of the city as much as she enjoys the flowering trees of the parks and neighborhoods. The buildings and the trees both stretch and reach for the same sky, providing life enhancing variety, contrast, and diversity. So downtown to Dixons on a
Photos by Nelson Photo by The Style Crone Vintage lavender fur felt Sally/Providence hat with pink feathers and olive drab/lavender trim-Frock NYC, lavender wool Marc Jacobs jacket with large buttons-Buffalo Exchange, vintage striped lavender/pink silk scarf and pink suede gloves-estate sales, with jeans and boots. Nelson and The Style Crone are branching out into the neighborhood for photos. There are many beautiful flowering trees on our block, so in just a few steps we can find beauty without going out on a limb. I find myself looking at our neighborhood with a new and discerning eye as I scan for
Photos by Daniel N Vintage yellow jacket with large trumpet sleeves, vintage yellow/red/green feather pillbox hat, vintage green gloves, and jewelry all from estate sales. Kate Smith in Sensational Color states, 'Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts.' Is this why The SC is smiling in the midst of daffodils wearing a yellow jacket? Or did the feather hat contribute to my mirth? Perhaps the yellow advanced from the deepest of blue that I was feeling earlier on this day.
Photos by Daniel N Green leopard print jacket-NYC flea market, vintage green and purple gloves and vintage silk green/purple Sant' Angelo scarf-estate sales, vintage purple earrings-vintage shop, vintage black fabric hat with tassel-Joan Carney/Les Chapeaux. The Style Crone was out and about on a gorgeous spring day looking for background for the green leopard print jacket and the quandary of whether to wear blue or green gloves presented itself. If only life were as simple as the state of perplexity surrounding choice of glove color. It seems a shallow decision, but at the same time comforting to be focused on
Photos by Nelson Photos by The Style Crone Date day is not dependent on location. Nelson and The Style Crone spent the day in our peaceful home and were honored with visits from sweet and generous friends. There's been a lot of that going around lately! In celebration of friendship, The SC hit the vintage Asian rack once again. I could keep going for days with this magical motif, as I have only touched the surface. Years of estate sales provided many extraordinary finds in this category and the delicate white silk kimono with intricately embroidered birds and flowers was
Photo by Nelson Photos by The Style Crone Vintage embroidered silk Asian jacket and gold clip on earrings-estate sales, red silk beret-flea market. The Style Crone chose to wear one of her favorite jackets in honor of the tribute to Nelson written by Mark McIntosh, former Denver television sportscaster and current motivational speaker and writer, on his website/blog titled, 'Continue Steadfastly.' Mark is a member of the gym where Nelson has rowed and coached over the years, and the words that he wrote touched me deeply. Nelson is admired and loved by many, as the following testimonial portrays: 'In the
Photos by Nelson Photos by The Style Crone Vintage sage green Japanese jacket and vintage green beaded earrings-estate sales, vintage green beaded hat-gifted. Last evening The Style Crone briefly attended a friend's birthday celebration with Nelson's strong encouragement and with cell phone close at hand. For this event I chose to wear a timeless vintage Japanese jacket which has been a part of my extensive Asian collection for about 25 years. When I wear this jacket, I feel like I'm a walking meditation. I adore the beautiful, serene and repetitive scenes in this green on green patterned rayon. Calling all
Photo by Ola Time for the hat room transition when The Style Crone pulls the spring/summer hats out of their beautifully boxed hibernation, cleans the fall/winter line, and puts them to sleep in their tissue paper and boxes to rest until the next seasonal change in September. This is a twice yearly ritual and it’s a delight to reacquaint myself with each and every 'sleeping beauty.' In celebration of the conversion this vintage pink felt hat with navy burnt ostrich feathers and veil was too seductive to ignore and landed on The SC's head before slipping softly away into its
Photos by Nelson Brown fur felt cloche-Guy NYC, vintage tangelo orange wool coat with belt-gifted, vintage orange/brown/pink striped scarf and vintage brown leather gloves-estate sales, vintage pink earrings-vintage shop. It goes without saying that The Style Crone adores hats, but a chapeau that is created in a manner that every view presents a new picture is especially appealing. Because yesterday blew in with snow and a chill, today was an opportunity to go back to winter wear with a felt hat and wool coat. As I was adjusting my hat and turning my head to examine every possible angle, I
Photos by Nelson Vintage white S Eisenberg spring coat with oversized three quarter length sleeves, vintage long black fabric gloves, and vintage large pearl earrings-estate sales, vintage 80's Makins black fur felt hat-Les Chapeaux, tall black Prada boots-gifted. Nelson and The Style Crone went to lunch for our traditional Friday date. Nelson has more energy at certain times during the day, so date night has gone by the wayside. It was the perfect time for photo shoot in front of the magnolia tree across the street from our home. In fact, I planned my composition for the event around this
Westword 2011 The Style Crone was surprised and honored to be included in Westword's Best of Denver 2011 with the text below, which was an unexpected delight. Westword is Denver's weekly alternative newspaper and is the definitive source of information for news, music, movies, restaurants, reviews, and events in the city. Thank you Westword, from The SC and Nelson, for making our day special! Best Style Blog for Beautiful Old Ladies Judith Boyd, Style Crone Trim, handsome and in her sixties, ravishing redhead Judith Boyd starts the day by picking a hat to wear, and from there she
Photo by Nelson The Style Crone is impressed. In less than one hour Nelson's pain was under control and a new medication regimen has improved his disrupted sleep pattern, his symptoms have been addressed, and his energy level is at a place where he is back behind the camera with a few playful comments as an added bonus. Now we're talking! This is a model for healthcare that I can believe in. We have been treated with respect, we have expressed our opinions without retaliation, and empathy is flowing like a river through our sanctuary. We are experienced healthcare secret
Photos by The Style Crone Close up of the silk vintage scarf. The composition for today did not include spring flowers and radiant splashes of color. Nelson experienced pain for the first time since entering hospice. A rapid response from our caregivers provided relief with the order to begin liquid morphine and suffering was interrupted. Comfort is the main goal at this time and Nelson is resting quietly as we absorb this new arrival on the scene. My outfit lies in waiting on this day.
Photo by Nelson Today The Style Crone chose to build a composition around a vintage 40's silk floral scarf and initiated the roll out of the spring jackets by displaying the scarf on this vintage 60's coral cashmere beauty with silver buttons. The entertainment began by pulling the mustard out of the scarf and throwing it on my head in the form of a vintage knit hat. The purple flowers were reflected in the vintage leather gloves which provided just enough warmth on this sunny yet chilly late March day. What could be more fun on a Sunday afternoon with
Photo by Kathleen Vintage felt leopard print hat with black ribbon and yellow vintage beads-estate sales, yellow silk Donna Karan jacket and black St. John heels with gold trim-yard sales, and the black ruched jeans that have been a seasonal favorite. When in doubt, wear leopard! I am finding that my single focus is spending time at home with Nelson and savoring every moment with intention, although I continue to go to yoga and appointments that contribute to self care. Without self care I will have nothing to give! What good would it do for me to remain in fetal