Brett and I have been looking for a pelican to put in the memorial garden I planted (and the gophers destroyed) for my mom. We looked and looked and looked. We found lots of egrets, but no pelicans. A few months ago we were visiting my dad and went up to Cambria; thinking that surely, surely, there would be a pelican in the art colony on the coast between Morro Bay and San Simeon.
We didn't find any pelicans we liked -- just one and it was very cheesy. But, we did find our friends, Tom and Barb, artists and neighbors from Pleasant Valley who recently relocated to Cambria. If you remember the pedestrian gate with quail at the front of our property, then you have seen Tom's work.
Tom works in metal and wood. His art is imaginative, interesting, intriguing... in short, just what we needed. We asked him to create a pelican and to incorporate a glass of champagne. My mom wasn't a drinker of wine or beer, but she did love champagne. Since her death, when our family gathers we always drink champagne -- its a way to include, remember and celebrate her. The photos here were taken before Tom put the champagne glass in the pelican's beak. I'll take more pictures when she is in the garden.
Today, we picked up the pelican. It's perfect. Tomorrow, Brett will put it in the garden.
If you are interested in seeing more of Tom's work, click on his website:
Iron Willow
Oh, and Monday Brett gets a new knee. The surgeon's office called Brett Thursday afternoon and said they had a cancellation; did Brett want the spot for Monday morning. Absolutely!
