Jane and Ellen

She was up early.  Jane never set an alarm.  Now she was retired as she continually reminded herself.  If she overslept, Molly and Jessy would awaken her.  Just ten and nine, respectively, these cocker spaniels were full of energy, always raring to go in the morning.  Unless it is nap time which it wasn't.

The travel clock on the A-shaped book stand said seven o'clock.  One more stretch she thought.  She'd keep her eyes closed because the dogs were watching.  Waiting for their human to let them outside.  Ready to high five one another as their morning ritual allows.  A few more cat/cows, pigeon  poses and one very large yawn and her eyes would open.  The day would begin.

She slid off the blow up mattress which she was grateful to have.  It laid upon a Salvation Army mattress and box spring which also laid on the 1800 golden red maple floors.  She loved touching them with her feet.  They made her feel grounded to the earth.

Jane harnessed each dog, found a doggie bag for the necessaries and the three went to the park.  Molly and Jessy loved being unleashed.  They didn't seem to mind the hot steamy morning, not as much as Jane did.

Ellen would be arriving soon.  The three warm blooded mammals found their way back to South Street and up the steps to the foyer of the sublet.  It was hot inside.  Jane was glad to be in the studio with her room air
conditioner going full steam.

Jane smoothed the bed sheets and pulled the ill-fitting duvet cover as far as she could over the mattress.

"Now, that's done.  I, can't wait to spend the morning with Ellen," she thought.  

Two women, a couple of decades apart, with different and similar experiences. Mother and daughter, two strong and independent women with a bond stronger than both knew.  Their years together would reveal all of that.

A brief introduction to the fellow upstairs and the two walked the brick  streets to the Strawberry Banke Museum where the Open Market was held each Sunday in the summer. Portsmouth, Maine was like that.  Historic, strong community ties, outside living.  And a delightful salt air smell and ocean breeze.

Jane thought about how lucky she was to summer in Portsmouth.  She longed for this day to come. When the two could share a craft fair together.   She loved being a short distance from her daughter.  It had been too long since they were geographically close. And now they were.  She pinched herself.

Ellen was happy as well.  She wanted her Mom nearby.  To share all of the ranges of experiences daughters share with their mothers.  Like the time her Mom left the garage door open in the mountain house.  It was nearly midnight,  The two generations were chatting in the family room.   Jane opened the door to the garage to let the dogs out.  She saw a black and white furry object just under the workbench.  Instantly Jane knew what it was.  Before she could reach her dog standing right beside it, the skunk sprayed its delight on Jane's dog.

She couldn't get in fast enough.  Immediately, she opened a can of tomato juice pouring it all over her pet.  Nothing worked.  It would be a month or so until the fragrance disappeared.  Ellen laughed her infectious laugh. Jane kept pouring.  Later Ellen learned the secret recipe - hydrogen peroxide, tomato juice and baking soda.  If only they knew then.

Jane and Ellen discovered a new passion.  Sea glass jewelry.  It was harvested locally.  After buying a few pieces the women went their separate ways to complete a few errands. It was easier now. 

Two generations.  A lifetime of love.