Hey, friends!  The folks in Charleston are fairing well after a visit from Irma early last week. Thank goodness she had gotten a hold of herself by the time she arrived. It is hurricane season, something we must accept. A time when we are always on alert with our eyes to the sky. All part of life in the low country.

Remember this little teaser from a few posts ago?

Ladies and gentlemen! I am proud to present to you, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. John Lennon! What do you think?

Let me tell you about our new treasure. He was created by one of Charleston’s, no, let’s make that the world’s, most talented artists. Her Name is Molly B. Right

We fell in love with her work years ago when we saw one of her creations at a gallery downtown. That particular piece was her rendering of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I just stood there, mesmerized at how anyone could take bottle caps (of all things) and make such a thing of beauty. At that point, I never dreamed I would have one of my very own.

When we started the renovation, Molly’s beautiful work came to mind. It was too early to decide if we would commission her to create one of her portraits for us, but it wasn’t too early to start thinking about it!

When David & I discussed the possibility, the first question that came to mind was, who would be our subject? Who was relevant enough to both our lives? If it was left up to David, the choice would be clear. It would be Jim Tressel, Woody Hayes or some other iconic figure from Ohio State. Me, not so much.

How does one go about choosing a figure that will dominate the living space of your home for the next undetermined amount of years? So then I started to think a little more deeply. This is pretty serious, ya know?   Whose life represented our values? That’s when John Lennon came to mind.

Friends say, “I didn’t know you were such a Beatles fan.” Well, we aren’t exactly. Of course we love Beatles music. Who doesn’t? But John Lennon represents much more than his music. To use current jargon, he was a resister who fought for equality for all. He stood for freedom and peace in his own personal way. As an attendee of the Women’s March On Washington DC this year, I humbly, yet proudly, include myself a part of that movement and so does David.

He was also a cultural icon that represented our generation in a way that gives us pride. And of course, there’s the music! Who wouldn’t have a deep appreciation for his musical genius?

And that my friends is why we chose as the subject of our very own Molly B Right work of art, John Winston Lennon. I hope you love it as much as we do. Thank you Molly for creating the crown jewel of our home. We will treasure it forever!

Here are a few closeups to give you a more detailed view.

Notice the small details. For example, the dark bottle caps that insinuate his Adam’s apple. (above) And the button hole on his jacket (below) is so intricately perfect. How does the mind of such an artist work? I am amazed!

The peek-a-boo of the “Y” from the t-shirt he’s wearing which says New York, the city he loved so. The photo we chose for Molly to use as a guide was from his last photo shoot before his untimely death in December of 1980.

Moving right along…

We finally got our friend, Amanda Raulerson’s beautiful painting framed. (Thank you, Paula at All Good Things  in Mount Pleasant, for doing such a beautiful job.)  Now if you had told me that I would have been interested in abstract art, much less a nude abstract, I would have said you must be mistaken. But when I saw Amanda’s work, this one in particular,  I was a changed connoisseur, so to speak. I see two women in this painting. They are both very sad. One friend comforting another.

It would be interesting to hear what you see? I am certain it would be something totally different. That’s what it’s all about, right?

I think I mentioned in my last blog that we were going to install string lighting in the backyard. Well friends, it finally happened! I usually give David such a hard time about these types of projects. He keeps putting them off for one reason or another and I keep nagging him to get ‘er done. From time to time I kid him that the situation reminds me of a line from an R.E.M. song, Man on the Moon. The line goes…I’m pushing an elephant up the stairs… That’s what it feels like sometimes when I’m trying to work on his timeline. All part of learning to be retired “together” of course. I really know though that most of the time his reluctance is due to wanting to think it though and do a good job.

We manage to make it fun for the whole neighborhood. Take for instance, this text to our backdoor neighbor, Traci. Thank goodness David is a good sport.

But once that elephant gets pushed up the stairs, he’s raring to go!

Oscar and me supervising.

And…Voila!

Just add friends and there ya have it folks! Hot fun in the city!

I would like to encourage you to take a look at a blast from the past. Remember that “This Time Last Year” game I sometimes play? David and I were playing that very game last night. We were wondering what stage the renovation was at this time last year. Then it dawned on us to check out the blog! Boy, were we surprised!

Check for yourself at  Tell Me What You Want  from September 17 of last year. It is one of my favorites. It was during the time that I learned I had to listen to the house and let her tell me what she needed, thus the title. If you need some clarification on how you listen to a house, be sure and check it out.  I think you’ll be surprised, at how much progress we’ve made in one short year. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Well, that about wraps it up for now, folks. Until next time, take care. And as always, don’t forget to listen to the song!