Deep Snow - and Cake: Winter 2019 | Notes Archive »

I was born in January of 1941, purportedly during a snowstorm, but I have just googled the winter of 1940-1941 and the family myth seems to be debunked! There was snow on the ground, but the significant storm was on the 27th. (I was born on the 23rd) My parents must have been trying to get home from the hospital or something. It snowed 6 inches that day. Rose and Jim were not young, and from the start, I presented issues for them. That must have been the first one! But I have always attributed my love for snowstorms to what now is mythical. Oh well — It was January. That’s enough to rattle anyone, except those of us who were born in that wicked cold month. A birthday in the middle of winter is a warm day. People who love us remember us; there are sometimes gifts and cakes and cards and loving phone calls. I need a birthday cake, and my friend, Stephen, is always willing to bake one, as is my daughter, Karen. They are both wonderful bakers. But… once in a while, it’s too cold to go out, or I hate to burden those faithful people with the obligation. Then — yup, I bake my own cake. Eno likes a vanilla cake with chocolate fudge frosting for his birthday and don’t mess with it. Or, maybe he’s in the mood for “Divorce Cake”.

I like weird cakes. I love pink frosting, and I adore marzipan. I like jam between the layers — with marzipan! — Sometimes I add yellow food coloring to my cakes to notch up the eggy look. Weird. But, it’s my birthday, and when I bake it myself, watch out!!! This year’s cake is out of the oven, and when I get it in progress, I’ll illustrate this column with some photos.

Anyway, another birthday — another year closer to 80 — another year closer to the Acworth graveyard, and, hopefully, the afterlife, very hopefully with the angels and saints, my truly beloved father, my very closest friends from Rosemont, and other dear ones who have made the journey before me. And….all our dogs, cats, horses and sheep. Now, that’s heaven - and I really hope they have cake.

Hard to change to a business tone… but, please check out Dig Antiques on the web. I now have two shops there, one especially for folk dolls and toys, and stuff that blends with them. I am now in awe of all of you who are constantly sprucing up your websites; it is hard work. The hours rush by what with the photographing, and measuring and writing descriptions, the inadvertent deletions (oh how horrible that is !), and all the other vagaries of internet selling. But, I am having a ball with my dear old dolls, really spending time looking at them and reacting again to the reasons they came with me in the first place.

Here I have to mention Pat Hatch, cloth doll dealer, friendly rival, and gracious advisor, who led me to photo tricks and urged me on, despite the fact that we are in the same game, both loving the subject passionately. Thank you, Pat. And... also a nod to my very loyal doll people. You know who you are and for how many years we have shared this magic. Thank you to you too.

Hope you will check out my new “Digs”.

So…light your candles and hearth fires, cook some comforting meals, read a stack of good books, write encouraging notes to your friends, treat your families lovingly, and enjoy winter. And… please, bake a cake!