I’m setting this post up ahead of time. By the time you read this, I’ll be in the horse pistol, bidding a fond farewell to Right-Hand Rita and her Minions of Death. I’ve asked #4 Daughter, the amazing Sara Marian, to post an update for me when we get home. Rita is staying behind.

Some people have told me I’ll feel rotten for days, and some people have told me I’ll be up and doing the day after, so I may or may not be posting for a short while. Enjoy your vacation!

I got a COVID test on Monday, so I’ve had to quarantine between then and the surgery. I do have doors in my house, though, so here are some:

Behind these glass doors are some of my geodes, dragons, turtles, and sparks o’ joy, including a Frida Kahlo picture decorated by the phenomenal Sezin Koehler.

On top are a musical carousel my mother made from stained glass, a picture on red paper by my late friend, Jane, a piece of the Berlin wall, an anniversary clock that hasn’t worked for years, a wedding picture of Charlie and me, pictures of my grandparents, a wedding needlepoint made by my friend and former college roommate, Deb, and a picture of my grandmother, my mother, me, and Sara.

Here’s my jewelry box. But Marian, I hear you say, it has only drawers. Where are the doors?

The top also opens, but it’s weighed down by those containers of more costume jewelry. There are more containers on the nearby shelf. No, I don’t have enough cheap jewelry. I said no, I don’t!

Charlie made doors to shut off the upstairs in the winter, to keep the warm air downstairs. He always meant to tighten up the cracks, but he didn’t get around to it. The doors not only gap, there’s a whacking big hole near the top.

So I got Sara to nail a baffle behind it, which helps a lot.

And what did I use for the job?

Why, it’s our old friend, the tablecloth Chickie chewed and ripped holes in! When last we saw it, it was doing duty as a grill cover. Now it’s a draft baffle. Sara tacked it up, and we both shouted, “Portland!” (I grew up in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, where repurposing is an art.)

Thursday doors is under the direction of Dan Antion, photographer extraordinaire and critter daddy. Visit his site, enjoy his wonderful photographs, follow his directions, and enter a world of doors.

We have a new badge this year, courtesy of the brilliant Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene.

A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: Out of commission.

MA