19 Comments
User's avatar
Zina Gomez-Liss's avatar

Mary is a truly special human being! Glad to see this post about your connection.

Ollie's avatar

She really is, Zina! Thank you for being here.

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

What a love you are, Ollie! And your goddaughter is so lucky to have you.

Ollie's avatar

Thanks Mary! I'm looking forward to hearing from her parents on what she thought of the postcard. :)

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Another penpal, I hope--though my granddaughter doesn't seem to take to snail mail--though she loves to receive my letters!

Ollie's avatar

Do you still regularly write to her and include watercolours? Last time I tried my hand at painting was a long, long time ago - but I'd be up for trying it if it amused Margot!

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

That series was a kind of beginning, Ollie. I took a brief watercolor class after and have done more and that look as if I might know what I'm doing. I did do a bunch of acrylics before that with, actually, a teacher I've written about--I so wish he would teach watercolors. He's an amazing teacher and I find that medium, watercolor I mean, more elusive, more demanding and am so drawn to it. I must admit that what I did in "Letters to my Granddaughter" was based on what I learned from him--and he lives in the UK. I'll do a post about him in the near future!

Ollie's avatar

That's lovely, Mary. I look forward to reading the post and hope you continue to share your art work with us.

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Will do some in the essay about my art teacher--even some of my good watercolors that exceed those done in letters to my granddaughter 💗.

Rosa Borg's avatar

I agree wholeheartedly about Mary's warmth (what you, Ollie, call generosity.) It drew me to her writing as much as the writing itself.

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Oh, Rosa, you make my heart sing.

Maureen Doallas's avatar

I love this, as I do Mary. As I've come to know her through her writing and insightful comments, which in every respect is marvelous, astute, honest, warm, humorous, delightful, a great storyteller, I thank myself for coming to Substack to write, because of Mary and so many other fine writers and artists here. I have promised myself that Mary and I will meet one day, sooner rather than later. In the meantime, I send her a hug and you a thank you for connecting with us here.

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Maureen, everything you say here so generously about me, I say in spades about you, my love, poet and reviewer extraordinaire!

Ollie's avatar

Thank you for your comment Maureen: I echo it! I've also wanted for the longest time to meet Mary in person. Hopefully I'll get the chance to visit America soon (some friends in California have invited me) or meet her here if she happens to visit the UK!

Ellen Kornmehl MD's avatar

Agreed! Mary exudes something special that crosses borders and internet signals

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

So kind, Ellen 💝!

Ollie's avatar

I love that, Ellen!

Del's avatar

The watercolors and search for poetry were captivating. So are the Boston cremes.

<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

I want one of those Boston cremes. Might have to make that!