Photos by Mary Photos by The Style Crone The Style Crone has been pondering the question of what to paint on the blank canvas of her life. Feathers are always an inspiration and this feather hat discovered at a yard sale, accompanied by gifted feather belt and clutch, provide the catalyst for creative thought.  Health and relationships are the priorities in my life; everything else is delicious, decorative frosting.  Today I have a plan in mind to pursue as I move forward. -Beautify my home and garden. -Downsize my inventory. -Travel the world by hat shop and milliner, blogging on

Photos by Daniel N One year ago today I launched Style Crone.  In honor of my blogiversary, I'm wearing a vintage 1930's fabric hat with feather and a 'poof' of looped threads, purchased from Couture Allure (click here), an elegant website and blog for lovers of vintage clothing and fashion.  Jody is very knowledgeable, and her website has some of the finest vintage available on the planet. Buying vintage makes even more sense today; over and above its obvious beauty, we are recycling and loving our mother, the earth. This hat has me 'coming and going.'  I love it when

This photo was taken by Nelson in our garden in August of last summer, eight months before I became a widow.  It was a fun and glorious day as he viewed The SC through the lens in a vintage 20's lace jacket with straw cloche trimmed with silk flowers.  Even though he was in the midst of chemo, which was accessorized by stress and uncertainty, our lives together continued to grow and evolve, and there were many experiences filled with laughter and celebration. What does it mean to be a widow?  Wikipedia defines the term as, ' A woman who has lost her husband by death.'

Photo by Daniel N Photo by The Style Crone The Style Crone loves head wraps and in this case, an orange tunic precipitated an extensive search for the perfect scarf as an accent.  This vibrant scarf was purchased at the Denver Black Arts Festival several years ago, and along with consignment store shoes and yoga wear, a hot summer day in July became a celebration of the color orange. According to Emily Gems, 'Orange is a power color. It is one of the healing colors. It also stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. Orange means vitality with endurance.'  The Style Crone made

Photo by Mary The Style Crone is in the rose garden to mark the passage of the decision to remove her very pedicured toe from the health care arena.  I continued to work a few days a month after retiring from my full time position four years ago, well into Nelson's diagnosis.  I was uncomfortable with separating myself completely from the work that had brought me so much satisfaction and fulfillment.  As a master's level psychiatric nurse I was able to work in areas that reflected my values and offered vast amounts of diversity and compelling experiences over many years.

This past weekend The SC had the pleasure of meeting the talented and beautiful Jean Barrett, voiceover artist (click here) and skilled upcycling designer. Jean is from Atlanta and was in the Denver area with her husband Joey (click here), a musician who was performing at the Colorado Jazz Festival. Jean has been commenting on SC for months, and it was exciting to meet her in person after knowing her only from her articulate and interesting written expressions.  Her gorgeous skirt was upcycled from items purchased at thrift stores.  Meeting Jean exemplifies the benefits of blogging and how the internet contributes

Photos by Kelly Three weeks since the memorial service, and images of the tribute continue to float through the days as they march by.  The Cleo  Parker Robinson Dance School and Theatre (click here) was a church before it became the sacred space of dance.  It was Camille's second home for many years; because of her love of dance, it was our sanctuary as well. Some of the musicians who performed at Nelson's service were seen spontaneously playing outside the theatre and these photos have added to my memories of music, the spoken word, dance and devotion. The arts help

Photos by The Style Crone The Style Crone discovered this ceramic sculpture at an antique market about a month ago, and was immediately drawn to its power.  She is now in my living room with her strength, pride and what I perceive as an open wound.  She has no arms.  I project upon her my feelings, for loss at times feels like an amputation.  Not visible, but internal.  The bleeding, the phantom pain, the unpredictable nature of healing.  The learning curve ahead appears as high as a snow covered Colorado mountaintop; I have never sought to climb such a peak.

Photos by Carl The Style Crone spent the day with a friend of 36 years who now lives in NYC.  Adored by Nelson, Camille and myself, he provided comfort in the form of laughter, tears and talk of many shared memories over decades.  And threw in a photo shoot for a few moments of frivolity.  Friendship provides support and love as The SC navigates troubled waters in a lemon colored straw toque on the porch of our home that now feels gigantic without Nelson's physical presence.

Photos by Kelly Before his death, Nelson informed The SC that upon his transition, 'Just put me on my rowing machine.' To bring that request to fruition, our talented and generous friend Bruce McInroy designed a floral arrangement accompanied by floating candles that surrounded a platform on the seat of Nelson's rowing machine, which supported the antique Asian hand painted leather covered box containing his ashes as it was ceremonially placed at the beginning of the service.  Bruce, a floral designer atNewberry Brothers, felt Nelson's presence as he made his inspiring plan for the rowing machine a reality.  He was

Photo by Camille The Style Crone's 'thank you' on Nelson's Memorial Service program goes out to my readers and commenters who have been overwhelmingly supportive during this time of loss: This tribute in the sacred space of dance is an offering of love to Nelson, my beloved life partner. We planned most of this program together and today is a manifestation of his thoughts and desires.  His extraordinarily deep effect on my life will always remain in my heart as I carry his legacy forward.  Courage, strength, resilience, persistence, determination, loyalty, generosity, empathy, acceptance, curiosity, kindness, inspiration, grace, humor, dignity

Photo by Camille The first anniversary without Nelson was a reflection of the dragon journal in my outfit, dinner at our favorite restaurant with Camille, and many memories of years past entering my thoughts as the day passed by in a confusing blur.  Putting together an ensemble was the structure that brought meaning to my day.

Photo by Carolyn This past week I took a few minutes on a cloudy grey day of memorial service planning to stop at my friend's beautiful art filled home to absorb a trunk show by Yasmine Rana from Kathmandu.  Click here to view Yasmine's unique and vivid designs.  This silver jacket immediately caught my eye and I tried it on for a moment, just to remind myself that my love of elegant wearable art remained intact within. Though my entire world has changed, I was reassured that my interests and passions continue to reside in my core.  Does this mean

Planning Nelson's Memorial Service now involves my complete focus, my energy, my heart.  Nelson and The SC planned the major part of the service before his death, so it's a true reflection of his desires.  It will be held at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre on Sunday, June 5th at 2pm.  Camille grew up at Cleo's in the  dance school and we spent many hours over a period of 15 years within the walls of this protective and nurturing Denver institution.  It feels as though we are going 'home.'  With the help of many talented friends, it's coming together

Before Nelson's death, one of his rowing partners, the director of the Denver Health Foundation, invited us to their annual gala, which was to feature Lionel Richie.  At that time, Nelson decided that he didn't have the energy to accept the invitation; his friend then asked Camille, in his honor, to accompany The SC to this special event.  Because the gala took place only 17 days after Nelson's passing, we were hesitant to be a part of a large celebration.  However, we knew that Nelson wanted us to attend, so we put our outfits together in his memory, took photos

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