I killed a bear!--figuratively speaking

 Many of my books are complex constructions that sometimes take several days to assemble--books, say, with 8 signatures of beautiful paper joined together by various challenging stitching patterns.  

This month, however, I've been obsessed with making little books out of those little board books for babies and toddlers.  

These books come in all sizes and all the thrift stores have them for a dollar, tops.  

So the first thing you do is peel of the shiny plastic pages --which in itself is quite satisfying--to get down to the raw board.  

Second, I collage all over the boards with vintage sheet music and book pages and whatnot.  

While I'm doing that, a theme emerges.  Then I print out lines of poetry or other text, cut out the lines, and glue them atop the collage.

My first one featured the Rumi poem, "The Guest House."

My second and favorite one I called HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY STARTS (borrowed from a plaque I saw somewhere).  Then I filled it with pictures of my childhood and Carlene's.

This was my "kill a bear" book.  In all its simplicity of construction, I managed to find enough pictures to fill this little three inch tall chunky book.  No book I've ever made has ever, or likely will ever, struck such a chord as this one did with its recipient. 

She's been perusing it several times a day and texting me how much she loves it.  She's been showing it to her friends (and probably strangers, if I know her!)

"I'm taking this one to Heaven with me!" she said last night.--quite sure that one day she'll arrive there with this book in her pocket.    By then, who knows?--it may be quite ragged with age and cracked with all the opening and closing--but what a thrill it's been to have it hit all the right notes and be so loved! 

Here is one of Carlene's texts: 

In the picture of Lloyd holding Bob and I have both hands in your shoulders, look at your eyes ….. you are looking up at Bob in Lloyd’s arms …hand !  Was somebody taking your place?   I love that picture ……  

Wow!  What memories !

Another serious moment!   You are painting!  

Every page makes those memories clear and beautiful!