with a little help from my friends

Five elephants, nine monkeys, two circus tents, two alligators,

vines, flowers and leaves.

We have always had real fireplaces and wood stoves--

necessary warmers for our Maine winters.

Our new home's gas fireplace seems fake sometimes.

But I love that there is no wood splitting,

stacking, bringing inside and re-stacking in the barn,

hauling into the house, and ash cleanup.

I love that I can sit in my chair and, holding a remote, 

turn it on and turn it off with a finger.

But because it is gas fired, and has a pilot light,

there is no damper to the chimney.

Cold air such as we have today

creeps in, and down, and shivers me

when I am sitting in my favorite chair

and the fire is not going.

I purchased this fabric a year ago.  My idea was

to make a fabric 'screen' for our gas fireplace--

with insulation on the back side.

A series of difficulties explains the year

the fabric lived in a bag in my studio.

Acquiring a custom stretcher frame, 

availability of Warm Window fabric--

waiting time, other preoccupations.

To be honest, though, the greatest impediment

was my fear.

I have never put together a stretcher frame.

Does one glue it together,

nail it, staple it?

How does one make sure the angle is "right"?

How can one person simultaneously stretch, hold and staple

when that person only has two arms?

Most fearsome--"what if I screw it up?"

Enter my friend Deb.

I have known Deb since Junior high.  We were

close buddies in high school and through college,

and, although there can be months 

or sometimes years in between our visits,

it always seems we pick up

like it was yesterday that we last got together.

She is a woman of enormous humor,

great common sense,

and a heart full of gold.

These days, she can put life and light

into my husband's eyes like nobody else can.

And that is a huge gift--to both of us.

Well, I asked Deb if she could help me.

And she said yes.

And we talked about it, and suggested methods,

then she told me, "Just start."

And she coached and helped me to

actualize my vision of a super screen for the fireplace.

Thank you, Deb.

For all the laughs in high school and college.

For introducing me to Cape Cod, your heart's home.

For your loyalty and friendship for over fifty years.

For your great sense of fun, spontaneity and humor.

For the love that is always in your heart.

And for your magic ways with my dear ailing husband.

I love my little fireplace screen.

I love the monkeys and elephants and circus tents.

Each time I sit before it,

I will first remember Deb's dear friendship.