DESIGN

I emailed Jeff the design and patent information for the chair/carrying case.
Our dinner together two weeks ago was warm, lovely and fun.

He and his partner Larry have become my second
and third set of design eyes.
The pieces they design for their store are art
(but they don't call them that).
Found objects are reclaimed for their patina, shape, luster
and inherent beauty. Then there is the furniture
(think very intimate and specific section of the D&D) and the textiles,
carpets, swatches...it reminds me of my father's office in NYC.

There was a "room" in Dad's office - more like a corridor
with books of fabric, samples of carpet, sheaths of wallpaper
and books of colors - just colors - to look at and consider.
Such were my favorite children's books.

And the Frances books...Bob would say, "Go pick out a story."
I would go to my room and come back to the 'master bedroom',
get on the bed and present my book.
Bob would say, "Oh, I thought you would get Frances!
Why don't you go get Frances?"
and off I would scamper.
Bob loved Frances.

I am writing this while lying in my bed.
There is a lamp on the bedside table.
It arrived two days ago with the contents
of my mother's apartment.
This object was with me when Bob read to me.
It is with me while I write this.
There are pictures on the lamp with people,
flowers and an Asian Temple Dog.
I have considered this lamp at many stages of my life.
Now, it feels out of place and yet
quietly reminds me of Frances,the phone ringing,
the arched ceiling
of my parents’ bedroom on Althea Lane
and now it is tied to the sound of my daughters,
Bob's Grand-daughters, laughing
and playing outside the closed bedroom door.
I can hear my husband Khem
commenting on Gage having put on her coat.
She is almost 17 months old.
She believes that if she collects all the objects
for leaving the house then we will leave.
A collection of objects that mean "go".

Gage is very clear about the meaning of objects.
I am...not.

xoxo,
Bob's Daughter