A Doll Made of Tobacco Leaves

Cuban doll made of tobacco leaves.

What do a doll made of tobacco leaves and a Dominoes Set have in common?  Well, they are both souvenirs that I brought home from Cuba.  It was my intention to bring back a CD of Cuban music and that was it.  No souvenirs.  But then I always see something that is just the right thing for a special friend or family member. 

My roommate on this trip, Jane, came in after checking out a little grocery store across from our hotel, and mentioned that she was going to get some Cuban honey to take home.  It was quite inexpensive, and that gave me the idea that honey would be the perfect gift to take back to my "honey" who uses honey in his hot tea.

Cuban honey.

At the Craft Center there were many different carved wooden items.  I especially liked the little carved cars shaped like the cars of the 50s.  One of these will go into each of my grandson's Memory Boxes. (Boxes I have added things to over the years and which will not be opened until after I'm gone.) 

Wooden car.

The doll made of tobacco leaves will go into granddaughter Grace's Memory Box.

For my cousins who enjoy playing Dominoes, I brought back a handmade Dominoes Set.

Handmade Dominoes Sets from Cuba.

The cat salad spoon and fork is for a good friend who likes anything "feline."

At the Community Center that we visited on our last day, I found these cute little clowns that were handmade by volunteers in the Center.  At only $3 CUCs each a real bargain.  One of those I will keep for myself. 

Handmade clowns.

There were many brightly colored paintings in the market and I settled for two small ones depicting the 50s cars.  These I'll keep.

Cuban paintings.

And finally I did bring back that CD!

My Cuban CD.

In Memory of James Tucker

Painting by James Tucker.

We lost a dear friend last year when James Tucker passed away from West Nile Virus.  James was an artist and for many years was the curator of the Weatherspoon Art Gallery on the campus of UNC Greensboro.  I met James and his wife Virginia when they and I were vendors at the same antique shows.  For over ten years Dan and I were fortunate to enjoy their friendship, to visit here and at their place, to travel to antique shows together and to play many close Scrabble games.  One of our favorite times together was May several years ago when we spent a month traveling to and from Nova Scotia together.  In fact, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at our place in Cape Breton at a fun party that year. 

James and Virginia Tucker and Dan in the snow on the Cabot Trail in May 2007.

Dan had always admired James' painting The Yellow Nude that hung in their living room and that later was included in an exhibit of James' paintings at the Weatherspoon Gallery.  When I learned that some of the paintings in the show, including the Yellow Nude, were for sale, I quickly bought it as a surprise birthday present for Dan.  James and Virginia came over and hung it in our foyer to surprise Dan when he got home from work.  And Dan was surprised!  Now we feel that a part of James is always here with us in our home. 

James with his painting The Yellow Nude at home in our foyer.

On Friday night a number of James' friends got together in Greensboro at Virginia's to honor his memory.  It was a party that James would have loved.  Good drinks, good food, and good conversation.  I took along some Marcona almonds that James loved, and I felt that somehow he knew we were celebrating his life and that he wished he were there to enjoy the almonds, the martinis, the good food and the fellowship.

Good food.

Dan enjoying the party.

Virginia sitting beneath another of James' paintings and surrounded by his art deco collection.

Rest in peace, dear friend, we were so fortunate to have known you.