3/30/25 email To Dad & Michael from Katherine Small Gallery

Dear Dad,
Dear Michael,

I came up with a creative idea tonight and pulled out the modular printing press that you, Dad, gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. Look what I saw when I opened it?!!!? It came from you, Michael.

This made me smile from ear to ear and am so grateful a. For the gift from you Dad and b. That I've met you Micheal and can make the connection.

Thank you both!

And I may or may not decide to share what I make. I've made some cards over the last year that I should dig up.

Thought you both would enjoy this!

Louisa

Good morning and many thanks for resending as I think I must have missed it - or perhaps the last faint traces of my memory have finally faded away. 

Much love, Dad

Sent from my iPhone

No fair if no pic of the results. Attached is a pic of the first print I made alongside its model. 

I hope all is well.

Michael

OK. Fair enough. Here's the first card I made - it was I included in a very late box of Christmas gifts I sent to my nieces and nephews:

and I made a couple that I just sent to Dad so can share with you. I emailed him this image:

and he emailed me back with this:

That's great - it all makes sense except for "Stick season". Are those hockey sticks, sticks of chewing gum, the sticks that along with stones break your bones, licorice sticks, walking sticks, firewood, twigs and branches, batons, primitive construction materials, gearshifts, celery, stickball, sticking plasters, sticklers, stickers, stick insects, sticky buns, sticky wickets, drumsticks, stick figures, sticker shock, sticklebacks, stick-to-it-ive-ness (which is what I've been doing in pursuit of an explanation), or am I wasting time, barking up the wrong tree? 

Is it derived some how from the verb, "to stick", rather than the noun? Perhaps, "stick 'em up"? 

Please let me know so I can properly prepare for the next "Stick Season"! 

Lots of love, Dad

So I decided to send him this  stick (from my front lawn) all wrapped up:

and made these two cards - this one because he forgot to mention Lip Stick!

and this one:

and then all in this box:

He should be getting it on Friday!

I do love that set - I had so much fun with this little project for him.

Louisa

Vermont Seasons

Spot on.

Toast to Issy 3/27/25

My dear Issy, 

You are the best thing that ever happened to Jack! Seriously! I adore you, and honestly, I only want to hang out with him when you're around. You bring out the best in him, and your energy, joy, and zest for life make you the ultimate pea in my party pod. I feel so incredibly lucky to have you joining our family. 

So let's raise a glass to love, laughter, and the amazing journey ahead—cheers to you!

Sent these to Emily today

You made my day 2/2

I got these in the mail today:

So my turn to email Imo:

Dear Imo,

 

I can't not believe how incredibly thoughtful you are. WOW! You totally made my day today and I needed it on this grey day here in Vermont. I just spent 4 nights with my Dad, my brother, his girlfriend, my niece, my three children and their significant others and my John in Utah skiing. We had the most wonderful time – so special to see my Dad still ripping it down the slopes at 82. How lucky are my children that they have these memories with him. Truly amazing. BUT – for me to come home to an empty house late last night after all that time with my family – the house feels so lonely and empty and made my heart physically ache for them all. I MISS them all so much already! So your roses were such a beautiful and welcome surprise – you have no idea how much they brightened my day, my mood and my heart.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! From the bottom of my heart.

Xoxo

and she wrote me back:

It warms my heart to know that I put a smile on your face on that grey day in Vermont 🙂.

I'm so glad you had so much fun skiing in Utah.  That was like a small family reunion of sorts!  Too bad you all can't do that once a month.  That would be a hoot!  I'll bet your Dad would get a kick out of that!  At the very least, it would be something to look forward to.  They say that human beings are generally happier when they have something to look forward to.   I've been telling everyone who would listen about your 82-year-old Dad on the ski slopes, and every last one of them smiles.  They are just as delighted and in awe of him as I am.  That is so special!

Anywho, I'm glad I could brighten your day with the flowers🙂 and you are so very welcome.  

Xoxo

You made my day 1/2

I organized for a fleece to be embroidered and sent to Imo. This is the email that she sent me when she got it:

LOUISA, YOU MADE MY DAY!!!

 

I just received the package you sent.  What a nice surprise!  I'd forgotten all about it and when I saw your name on it, it still hadn't occurred to me.  I was like "What in the world is she sending me?  Maybe it's something she wants me to give to Matt."  But as soon as I opened it, I knew it was mine all mine and I screamed I was so happy! 😊  Thank you so much!!  I needed that!  No need to apologize for it being late because it worked out great and made my day!  I sincerely hope that one day our paths do cross so I can give you a BIG hug!  😊

So I emailed her back:

Dear Imo!!!

 

OMG I am so happy that you got it and yes – I'm so sorry it took so long. It was a 3-step process (order, get it embroidered and mail it) and life has been so busy as of late. Lol - too much work!!

 

Getting your email absolutely MADE MY DAY! Thank you so much! Xo

 

One of these days I'll make it back to MN so we can meet in person. I'd love that! On Thursday I'm heading out to Utah to ski for 3 days with my 82-year-old Dad and I can't wait! He's amazing – still skiing making it look so easy. Four of his grandchildren will also be there. How lucky are they that they get to ski with their grandfather. They treasure this time with him every year.

 

XOX

and she wrote me back:

You are preaching to choir when you talk about work being busy.  Don't get me started...

Anywho, I'm glad I could make your day because you sure made mine.

OMG Girlfriend!  Your Dad is amazing!!!  And yes, his grandchildren are so lucky to get to ski with him.  That's absolutely adorable!  Be sure to take pics.  Those are the moments you will want to treasure forever!  Safe travels.

Have fun 🙂

XOX

ordered today for delivery 3/18

52 in 2010

I made this list in December of 2009. Where do I come up with these ideas?

Thursday, December 31, 2009

52 in 2010 - Final List

1. Accupuncture
2. Acts of Random Kindness
3. actually use my fine china
4. Bike 50 miles
5. bike to go shopping
6. Buy a star
7. Cook a lobster dinner
8. create a new way to make money on my site
9. Create a piece of artwork
10. De-clutter 12 corners
11. do 100 situps everyday
12. Do something spontaneous
13. Fast 3 days
14. Fill a time capsule
15. Get rid of 52 bags of clutter
16. go 5 days without my cell phone
17. go camping 
18. go on glider ride over vermont
19. Go to a new country
20. Go to a new state
21. Go to Niagra Falls
22. Hot air balloon ride
23. Jazz class
24. keep a blog of 52 in 2010
25. Knit a scarf
26. Learn letterpress
27. lose 12 pounds
28. Make a baguette
29. Make a souffle 
30. Make a vegetable garden
31. make a website from scratch
32. Make french onion soup
33. Moonlight snowshoe
34. Start a '52 in 2011' Fund to fund next year's 52
35. Prepare a 7 course meal for friends
36. Put all my photos away
37. Read a John Updike book
38. Read a PG Wodehouse book
39. Read Sense and Sensibility
40. Rediscover art of letterwriting
41. Run 10 miles
42. See all the movies nominated for best movie oscar 
43. send a birthday card ON TIME to all family members
44. Send a message in a bottle
45. Snowboard
46. Spin class
47. submit photo to National Geographic Photo Contest
48. Take kids to Saratoga Race Track
49. Telemark
50. volunteer somewhere/something new
51. Wild Card 
52. write some memoirs for my children

From March 8th, 2005 Zermatt

ordered for Anna :-)

Cousin Luisa

Obituary here