posted July 14, 2002 05:13 PM         

I can't believe I missed it! The Gazette article will probably be available online for a short window as a free item. I suggest that all interested get there on Monday, July 15, 2002. Otherwise, you will have to pay for the info. www.gazette.com. The article states that most things sold from Linda's small home were "things like my grandmother would have left." I don't think that would have disappointed most of us. A tea towel would have been fine with me.

I know Cripple Creek well, and when Linda moved there, it was a charming, dying artist's colony-type town. The current casinos are pretty noisy and boring, but the inn where Linda lived is cute. And for those interested in Tesla, PBS has a fabulous, definitive video on his life.

Great website, Randall and Friends!

With love to all from the mountains,
Skystone

posted July 14, 2002 10:38 PM         

Welcome Skystone!

posted July 15, 2002 12:59 PM         

As some say, "you da bomb."

posted July 15, 2002 07:15 PM         

I just returned from Florence, Co. I decided to call the auction house last night, and the man graciously said he'd call me on Monday A.M. with details of what he had left. He did, and we went dashing the 50 or so miles.

The Dale Ely Auction House is run by Bill & Lynn Price, (719-275-5703) Their e-mail address is: weprice@ris.net. Pager is (719) 585-0947.

He told me that "another lady" (hey, I'm a lady at last!) had called from the Colorado Springs area and was coming also. He took us back to the far corner where the remains of Linda's smallest possessions were. There are 3 small framed pictures, some colorful sash-like belts--tapestry and so on, a cosmetic bag (full) a tapestry make-up bag, a pair of Battenberg lace cuffs like the ones ladies attached to their dress sleeves a century ago, but these were new, and from an expensive boutique. I saw some lace "thingies" like neck collars, and an empty box of bath soap in a brand I used to like because it reminded me of the sea. There was an embroidered white bib-like item, very colorful with flowers in brilliant colors. Also a comfortor, blue and white squares, which looked homemade. I recall a carved ivory-like bird, very small, less than 2 inches, that sat flat, and a chipped dark blue mug with yellow stars painted on it, and a crescent moon for a handle. I don't know why a true Goodman fan would have left that. I would have gotten it, but I figured someone would buy it, since a person in the Gazette article said she'd expected more "moon and stars" stuff. Well, there it was. Just because it wasn't perfect didn't mean it was worthless.

Also really old 50's style desks and pieces of word processors, some old plain typing paper, a Hoover, a bunch of lampshades, two a salmon pink, and a few sheets of Linda's gold-stamped stationery and 10x12 matching envelopes. Also, there was one "signed by author" card, one of which went for $22.50 at the auction.

I chose an old postcard with a picture by Arthur Rackham which she must have bought because it was beautiful--it was sun-damaged, as is everything out here--we're almost 2 miles closer to the sun than sea level. I also got one each of the stationery pieces, a sheet of paper and envelope, and an older, letter-size gold-stamped envelope. Plus a wooden matchbox and the one remaining book with notations NOT in Linda's writing. Now, THAT would have been something if she'd made those notes! What I wanted was just a few representations of Linda. I'll keep the stationery in her books, and the box on my desk.

I wanted to leave stuff for the woman coming along later, and to tell you folks that Bill Price was open to the idea of your calling him. He said he'd call the attorneys and tell them a few more things may sell. I think he'll take anything you care to offer.

Sadly, Linda died in debt, and anything they get will take the burden off her children. Mr. Price was very kind and protective of Linda's last little sad things. We girls don't much like the idea of someone going through our old compacts and lipsticks after we've departed for better places, and some things were discreetly tossed, (like personal garments) by the auction house (although the guy who bought this, Linda's last home, sure did throw in the whole house!) I really felt like rescuing all these things,but I was also thinking that others who were late, like me, could have something, too.

Be assured that her lovely antiques remain in her 10,000 square foot home, now the Inn.

Let me hear what you decide to do with this info, dear friends. I truly believe you'd get what you choose for VERY little now that the auction is over. However, I do suggest you act quickly if you're going to call Mr. Price. Those attorneys sound hungry!
With much love to all,
Skystone

posted July 15, 2002 07:34 PM         

Hey, there, Randall, you go! I was too scardy cat to do it!

And now to see if I can get this mountain thing to turn out--my selected angel didn't appear, just the typed order! Dud!

Skystone

posted July 15, 2002 11:18 PM         

But THANK YOU, Sky, for describing to us in such beautiful and careful detail what we can not see for ourselves. That is very kind of you.

Enjoy your remnants. Sounds like you were very lucky. I can feel Linda being very happy that you left some things for later-comers. Very selfless of you.

Peace and love and meow,

posted July 17, 2002 07:22 PM         

Thanks, friends, for your replies. You are all so sweet here, it's like a loving family. I guess Linda wouldn't attract nasties, though, would she? I reread her poem about Cripple Creek from STAR SIGNS and could only sigh. What a fine writer we have lost. My husband was out walking a few weeks ago along our red "gravel" road--it's all really decaying granite from the Pikes Peak area. He came upon a spot where a Teller County gravel truck from Cripple Creek had just dumped some more gravel. What a treasure trove! Each day that it rained a little, he came home with tiny blue pieces of sodalite, a stone that is often mistaken for lapis lazuli. We know the only sodalite from around here is in CC, and were charmed to find that a scoop of it made its way to Woodland Park. Then came his BIG find. After it rained a bit more, he came across a pure, greeny-blue stone smiling out of the redness--a piece of turquoise as big as my (rather small) thumb. I couldn't help but think of Linda, who, years ago, would take walks after rain and find that distinct Cripple Creek turquoise under foot. She spoke of this in Star Signs, also.

May you all be blessed with little reminders of Linda in your daily lives, and of the beauty of living, even in this harsh world.

Sweetpeas, the wild sweetpeas are just rampant out here along the roadsides. Such colors!

I wish you and all the other Knowflakes love and friends and good health. Be safe.