Keith Carver, 10-18-04
Anyone meeting Donna quickly learns that her true loves are family and quilting, not always in that order. She easily admits to being an "addicted quilter," has accumulated more fabric than is really decent, has made over a hundred quilts, has at least two physical quilts going at all times, and another dozen virtual quilts in her mind. She can quickly and without the slightest provocation become rapturous to anyone within earshot about quilts or fabrics . That is often me. Her idea of Utopia is living in Lewiston next to Mardens Discount Store where fabric can be, and is frequently, purchased for $2.50 per yard. She often sees the world through her quilters eyes. Returning from the grocery one day, she was telling me about the price of chicken per yard. Really. She has boundless enthusiasm for quilting, lots of drive, and is very good at it. It's a wonderful hobby. She has made dozens of beautiful quilts for family and friends, and for us. We never have a problem finding enough quilts to stay warm in the winter.
(left) our friends Mark and Grita Webb from South Africa, with the quilt Donna made for them
(right) this memory quilt was made for Chancellor David Scott by a team including Gloria Fox, Donna and other quilting friends
Donna with friend Thelma Baker and their great blue heron quilts Simon's ice cream quilt
center detail of the taupe "quilt from hell"
shopping for fabric at Mardens
the signs say it all
It's not exactly like we were the first to discover the considerable joys of grandparenting but it's been a happy revelation to us nonetheless. We go on and on about our three grandkids, just like millions of other grandparents around the world and throughout time. Other grandparents we meet understand this, those who haven't had the experience are usually patient while we finish telling about the latest marvelous thing that Kaylee, Simon or Henry did.
Being Granny (to Simon or Henry) or Don-na (to Kaylee) is really the thing for Donna, surpassing even quilting. She's absolutely in love with her grandkids, and they are with her. Well, I'm in love with our grandkids too. I'm Grampy to Simon or Henry, and Pah-pa to Kaylee. We have over a thousand pictures of them, many taken at our summer place on "the lake" in Maine.
Kaylee is almost four years old at this writing and is very intense about princesses along with the flowing-mane horses they presumably ride on. She's on a first-name basis with Princess Aurora, Tinker Bell, Snow White, Cinderella, etc. Claudia and Rick take her swimming at the "Y" and she's really enjoying pre-school activities and friends. It's hard to believe she will be in kindergarten next year. Her most recent acquisition is Eddie, the stray kitten who attached himself to her in the parking lot one day.
Simon really likes cars and trucks. Vrooom-vroom. He keeps parents Kris and Doron very busy. He also loves to play hide-and-seek with his Granny when she's visiting and Granny loves it at least as much. At the lake, he likes to play in the sandbox, the plastic pool and the mudpuddles when it rains. At home, he speaks to his younger brother Henry in a language no one understands. He loves being read bedtime stories, and has certain favorite books that he wants to hear a second or third time, " 'gin, 'gin ". (again, again.)
Henry is fourteen months younger than his older brother, and follows Simon's every move. He has a laid-back personality (usually) and sometimes flashes an all-knowing smile that hints of wisdom way beyond his few months. He is quickly developing the social skills of growing up in the path of his older brother who so far has more toys. But Henry has his own winning ways and is a charming little guy.
Kaylee speaks with her class of ducks
Simon likes mudpuddles
Henry likes his four-month birthday party
our three daughters ... and their husbands
Claudia is an elementary school teacher and is married to Rick, who is in the construction business. She was born in Kentucky during my first marriage, grew up in New Mexico and now lives in Connecticut. She teaches reading skills to kids from kindergarten through fourth grade. For many of them English is not their first language, so she teaches language skills, vocabulary, how to have conversations in general, and book discussions. She also enjoys quilting, when time and Kaylee permit. Rick is an avid mountain biker and loves to take Kaylee swimming.
In addition to being full-time devoted mom to Simon and Henry, Kris is an accomplished knitter whose handknit fashions have been carried at Barneys of New York City. She has published a book "Knitting Pretty", and more recently "Knit-Knack Kit" which includes a book of knitting instructions, assorted needles, and twenty-five simple but chic patterns. Kris is Donna's oldest daughter by her first marriage, was raised in western Maine and lives with husband Doron and family in Brooklyn. Doron is a devoted hands-on dad, a computer whiz, works in Manhattan, is currently in the EMBA program at Columbia University and loves music and swimming.
Penny and husband Jon are the innkeepers at Caravan B&B, a popular bed and breakfast they own in Moretown, Vermont. Penny is Donna's younger daughter, was also raised in Maine and previously worked at the library of the University of Massachusetts and Amherst. Penny and Jon both love to ride motorcycles and in fact first met on a motorcycle club outing not far from where they now live. Both Penny and Jon are terrific cooks, great hosts, serve up wonderful breakfasts at their B&B and have energetically restored their old farmhouse. Penny likes gardening and Jon likes to tinker with things mechanical.
Rick and Claudia (April 2004)
Kris and Doron (July 2004)
Jon and Penny (June 2002)
Donna and I were married in 1990 and have learned an awful lot about each other since.
Keith and Donna (July 2003)