Don came up with this idea last night. He grabbed a flashlight and we now have this scene: Moonlight in the Potting Shed.
Maybe the owner steals away in the dead of night to work in the potting shed. Or maybe the moon shines its light every night on the empty potting shed, illuminating the sink and the flowers, the pots and the watering can.
Amidst the treasure trove sent to me by Karen, there were many mini books with solid red, green and blue covers. I’ve been printing out book covers (google ‘free dollhouse printables’) and here are the results so far. The owner loves books. I’ve decided she is a Professor of Literature. Her specialty has yet to be decided. Anyway, I think a home should be full of books, so I have lots more to make.
I found a printable for a MacBook Pro (just like my real life computer.) I printed it out and mounted it on some cardboard. I hope to find a resin version someday (I’ve seen one on Etsy) but in the meantime, this will do. Still needs some tweaking…
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May 1st is always a bittersweet anniversary for me. Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the tragic murder of one of my students. It was my first year teaching in the MFA program at the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre Professional Actor Training Program. One of my students was John Lentz. He was funny, kind, smart and talented -the kind of guy who always had a twinkle in his eye and who disrupted class in the best possible way, making us all laugh. Classes had just ended for the year, John had done his Thesis acting project, where he had an amazing breakthrough that we all were lucky enough to witness, his parents had just been out to see that performance. He was only a few weeks away from getting his MFA. On Friday, just two days before the 1st, John, my colleague Rick, and I went to lunch and talked about everything under the sun. Laughing. Happy. On our way back to the office, we stopped at a memorial to a student who had been murdered several years before – it was a rose garden, with a beautiful inscription.
Two days later, John was dead. As he and another student walked out of Balboa Park after the closing performance of a show at the Old Globe, three people drove by in a truck. The truck stopped, a girl (she was 17) leaned out the window, and fired a handgun. John fell to the ground. The other student (John’s girlfriend) was shot in the leg. As she held John in her arms, he said “I think I’m dying.” Less than an hour later, he was dead.
We were devastated. I don’t think I’ve ever cried as much as I did then. A 24 year old man, on the cusp of his career, taken from us senselessly and brutally. We all flew to Kansas for the funeral. We spent time with his family (a more loving and supportive family I cannot imagine.) During that summer, I attended the murder trial of the three people involved. I sat next to John’s mother, stared down the young girl who fired the shots, felt such incredible anger and rage. Why did they do it? Because they just felt like shooting someone that night.
How dare they take our John away from us?
We named the theater space at the University in his honor. I grieve for him still. I will never forget him. And I will never understand this country’s fascination with guns. Guns kill. Guns kill. It’s so obvious. So clear. Maybe you have to lose someone you love in order for it to hit home?
It shouldn’t have to come to that.
Life can deal you a terrible blow and then turn around and bless you with unexpected love. Two months later, I met Don. I was still reeling from John’s death, still (and always) heartbroken. And this wonderful man stepped into my life. From the depths of despair to incredible happiness – all in the space of 60 days.
Dearest John, I miss you. I am so lucky to have known you. I will never forget you.
Happy Thursday.
I am so sorry to hear about this most tragic and appalling incident, Claudia! I can’t tell you how angry this makes me, but I will refrain from going on a rant here, in this most loving tribute to your sweet student and friend, John.
xx
Poppy
It still makes me angry, Poppy. And very, very sad.
I’m sorry for your loss, Claudia. Your friend must have been a beautiful soul. You’ve written a lovely tribute.
He was indeed a beautiful soul, Hedy.
Oh Claudia – what a sad story. There is so much senseless brutality in the world. You’ve written a beautiful tribute to John.
And the dollhouse – what a wonderful idea Don had. I love the “moonlight” coming into the potting shed. and those books and laptop — too, too cute!
Moonlight – so wonderful. I have Don to thank for that idea!
Somehow it seems that when a senseless act takes the life of a young person it hits us so hard. When people say they kill someone just to see what it feels like it makes me wonder if that person was just born with something missing. I feel guilt over small things I do, how can anyone live with themselves after doing something so incredibly cruel? On a happier note, I loved the picture of moonlight in the potting shed. It would seem that you and Don are a very imaginative and inventive couple. We have had some heavy rain here in Central Florida this week and it’s expected to continue. A small tornado sat over the house of the baby I keep a few evenings ago and they said it did indeed sound like a freight train hovering over the house. Only their neighbor’s shed was damaged thank goodness. The weather has just been crazy all over the country for a long time now – enough.
I can’t understand it. Those three people are now in prison for life.
So glad no one was hurt in that terrifying tornado, Janie!
A couple of years ago my husband’s cousin Jim was murdered in his own home in the wee hours of the morning in front of his wife. Jim lived in a small town in North Carolina. He was the pastor of a small church there. A kinder man one could not hope to meet, yet someone decided to break into his house one night and take his life. None of us have recovered. Why these things happen I will never understand. Why John Lentz filled with promise or Jim Carr who helped the less fortunate and ministered to the downtrodden. It would be wonderful if the world was a safer and friendlier place like the one you are creating in your charming dollhouse. The book jackets are precious by the way.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
So senseless, Susan. I am so sorry about the loss of your cousin. Why oh why?
Claudia, you are a true friend. you show emotions at tragedy that happened many years ago. A hurt that just doesn’t go away. I do agree with you about guns. I think people get stupid with a gun in their hands, and drugs or alcohol only exacerbate this. I won’t go on about my feelings of gun control. This is not the place for it.
I love the moonlight coming in the potting room window. Moonlight has such a softness to it that sunlight doesn’t.
I am wondering did you make the window frames? Did you put glass or something in them?
I bought the window frame from a miniature supplier. The ‘glass’ is some sort of mylar sheet, I think. It came with the window.
Such a senseless loss. Guns Kill is something we all need to remember. I am so sorry for the sadness you feel but also know that your dear and sweet Don is there for you now. Oh a lighter note, I love the books in the doll house and the moonlight is very romantic!
hugs, Linda
Thank you – I love the moonlight and I’m having fun making the books, Linda.
Senseless violence. And there seems not to be an end in sight. We were driving to O’Hare on Monday and on a Chicago radio station they were talking about the horrendous violence there. 40 shot this past weekend and 5 died. Unbelievable.
On a happier *note*,,,, “Moonlight in the Potting Shed”… I do believe that Don needs to write a song, as those lyrical words are just too wonderful NOT be set to music! :-)
Such a terrible statistic, Chris. Horrifying.
I’ll pass along that suggestion to Don!
Another senseless murder. Life is so unfair. I’m sorry about the loss of your friend. I share your opinion on guns, but not a popular position in Texas where I live. I remember years ago hearing a comedian on television. He compared the gun murders here to countries with gun control. He joked that the people in those other countries must be such poor shots that they couldn’t hit the side of a barn… or possibly gun control was working. I don’t think a comedian would make a joke like that nowadays. They would be worried about their career.
Sad, but true, Betty. I believe you’re right.
What a lovely and loving tribute. It makes no sense and that’s hard to accept. I am sure he sees your eloquent words and feelings. You will meet again someday.
I sure hope so.
So sorry about the loss of your friend, Claudia. Senseless crimes like John’s death will always be impossible to comprehend. Probably the only positive thing to do is to try and prevent more of them – in big ways or small. And there are so many ways to help. I think speaking up as you’ve done here – and keeping this critical conversation going – is one of the best ways to start.
I’ve spoken about gun control before and I’ve been the recipient of a few comments that took me to task. But that goes with the territory. I know what I believe. And I know what I think is morally right.
Gotta make me some of those cute little books! Sorry about your friend. Am sure you’ve heard about the debacle here with the execution of the prisoner. I know it was terrible, but, just remember, he murdered a young girl and buried her alive. I just feel that if some of these criminals actually paid for their crimes, our world would be much safer.
Judy
I did hear about it, Judy. It’s a sad, sad story all the way around.
Hope all is well with you!
People just don’t get it. The decisions you make now will affect you your entire life. But most of all they affect the lives of so many more people. My niece and her hubby are facinated by guns. I just don’t get it! I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m not sure what is so fascinating about them, either, Teresa. I find them anything but fascinating.
Oh, Claudia…I just got cold chills and tears in my eyes after reading about John. How horribly sad and tragic. I’m with you on guns: I hate them. I don’t find them fascinating either; in fact, I find them terrifying. I wish the US were like some other countries where only police and military were allowed to carry them. Today happens to be my dad’s birthday, too. He would’ve been 79 years old today. (He passed away at age 63.) On a more positive note…I’m normally not into dollhouses, but yours is amazing. All the details are incredible.
It’s a terrible story, isn’t it? Tragic and senseless.
Happy Birthday to your dad, Melanie. I’m sorry you lost him so many years ago. We never get over it, do we?
These kinds of tragedies are always senseless and heartbreaking and I am so sorry for your loss.
However I don’t believe guns kill, it is the idiots that pull the triggers that kill. Many if not most are on drugs whether they are legal or illegal. I don’t know what the answer is, if there is one at all.
Yes, I absolutely see your point, but my feeling is this: if those 3 people didn’t have easy access to handguns, the act of driving by, stopping for a moment, and shooting someone would have been impossible. So yes, the people behind the guns pull the trigger, but the bullets in the gun create the damage.The combination of man and gun is lethal.
Love the moonlit potting shed, the sink, the books, the laptop. All adorable additions to your little home.
Your love for your friend and your deep appreciation for having known him shows in your words — I am sorry for your loss, I pray that you will remember him and his laughter, and the laughter that he brought to you and those around you.
Pat
I do remember the laughter, Pat. Thank goodness.
I always ask myself the same thing when one of these tragedies happen Claudia..WHY..Why..If someone is so miserable in their life..what is it that makes them want to take away someone elses life..Now..that sweet hubby of yours is just quite a romantic creating moonlight for you..Isn’t it amazing how many free printables for dollhouses there are online..I know I will be printing and making quite a few..you did a great job with the books..I had no idea there was a computer to make!!..
How is it possible to be so ruthless and cruel at the age of 17? But it obviously is.
I think the occupant of your miniature house should teach Chaucer. My favorite college English professor did, and I can imagine her living in that house.
What an emotional tribute to a young man who should be looking back on twenty years of accomplishments in his chosen career and all else that life might bring in those lost twenty years. Guns do kill. As Betty said, that’s not a view that garners me many friends here in Texas.
I bet!
Yes, John should have had many more years of living. He was delightful in every way and could have contributed so much to society.
Life hands us some terrible tragedies. I am so very sorry.
Tana
Thank you, Tana.
What a horrible happening the murder of your student was, but I am so glad that you and his family had a wonderful performance to think back on to remember him by. PS Those little books are one of the cutest things I have ever seen. For just a moment I considered building a miniature library “dollhouse” with books and furniture, and especially a children’s room. No, Laura, no. I need to downsize…I need to downsize….I need to keep chanting…
It’s addictive, Laura…it’s addictive!