Classic Kiwiana and Old Friends.

Have you got an old, old friend that you spent a very short time with, but the memories are so strong in your mind? Mine is Jenny Scown.

Jenny found this 1960's mirror and then put in her own photo of a Crown Lynn Vase with hibiscus.

When Jenny and I were 17 years old we travelled together to the US to be American Field Scholars. We stayed all year with one family; mine lived in New Canaan, Connecticut had four kids and was incredibly good to me. (In fact I don't know how they put up with me.) Jenny went on to become one of New Zealand's top photographers and now has a gallery called Inspirit (please call in if you're anywhere near Hamilton, it's a real treat; clothing, sculpture and vintage pieces). Anyway she just emailed from New Zealand to say she has my mirrors ready. 

She scoured the Hawkes Bay for two mirrors from the 1960's and then put in her own photos. I'd say the look was Kiwiana , which means old timey stuff, color and (my personal favorite) a healthy touch of kitsch. Can't wait to hang them.

Jenny's picture of Wainui Beach

Here's Jenny's photo of me and her at the end of our AFS year. I don't think I've ever seen this photo but from what I can ascertain I've put on the requisite 30 lbs (well done me!) and Jenny has...lost weight? Wait... did she not get the memo? As you can see, Jenny was her usual smiley self and it was elasticised dresses (and scowly face) for me!

Jenny in her cloud shirt and me in elasticised dress, age 18, on an interminable bus trip somewhere in the US.

We hadn't seen each other in 30 years until I called in to her art gallery two years ago. It was so so good to see her. After hearing us talk, Kevin, the old hubstar said: "You really didn't even spend much time together."
"But it was such an important time in our lives." said Jenny.

Talking of the old hubstar, Kevin went on a three-day hike by himself up in the hills. "Classic mid-life crisis" said Harley as he drove away. Better than a Maserati, or fresh baked blonde I say. Plus I fully expect him to write a memoir bestseller a la Wild. Get cracking Kevin!

Kevin emerging from his three-day hike in the Santa Cruz mountains

Today is Jackson's 15th birthday. Yesterday we got a suite at the Oakland A's baseball (which starred in the movie Moneyball) for free (not sure how that happened. ) I'm not much of a sports watcher so I spent three hours eating frightening food with sauces in nuclear-reactive colours.

Jackson and friends at the A's game pouring yellow stuff on other stuff.

Oh to be 15 and hang your socks over the edge

Jackson in Ohope Beach when he was six.

This afternoon I'm off to New Zealand until Friday week. I know, I haven't been able to think about it with a work deadline looming. One of the kids asked why I was going. I said: "To bond with my tangata whenua (family) and finish my novel."

Or did I say.... "To get away from you guys, sit on the couch all day and eat Mum's sticky date pud for breakfast."