Deirdre Counter -July ATC: color my world

Deirdre Counter from Vermont, joined the July ATC color swap not too long ago. When I saw the registration come in, her first name was especially familiar to me. When I was much younger I had a best friend named Deirdre Browne. Although we lost touch with each other when I changed high schools, Deirdre had written to me from Vermont after college when my oldest son was very young. This was perhaps 30 years ago!! Then many years later when I still lived in CT, I heard from Deirdre again when she found me via a search on the internet. At that time I learned her new last name . . . and then promptly forgot it! With our big move to Florida, my dad's illness - I did not continue to stay in touch. When her registration for this swap came in, I dismissed the idea -- thinking this must be a different Deirdre than the one I knew.

As you can guess, I opened her swap envelope yesterday to find her July ATCs (her first ever) and a lovely note signed from your old pal, Deirdre -it WAS her!! I am still smiling and giggling about this! Not long ago I gathered and scanned a series of old photos that showed me growing up through the years. I have a treasured photo of Deirdre and I and our good friend Talbot, that is scanned and dated 1972. That would make me 15 years old and in 9th grade. The photo is taken on the steps of Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut and is a good portrayal of what we were like at the time. Close friends -always sharing - a little different from  the rest of our classmates - all of us artistic - and happy spending time together. I wrote Deirdre an email yesterday to see if she minded if I posted this photo and she said - post away!! She also wondered who took this photo? Neither of us have any recall!

Deirdre, Lenna, Talbot - 1972

I love the painting and writing that Deirdre did for her ATCs! 

The top one is: At the Seaside -just arriving.

The middle one: Swimming deep underwater I open my eyes.

And the bottom one is: Color my world Blue.

I can't tell you how much this means to me, Deirdre.

Thank YOU! 

xo lenna