Winnie the Pooh goes to Wayne

Debra Phillips, of Geneva’s  Scentimental Gardens, graciously opened up her country house in Wayne on Wednesday to appreciative fans of her stores, her home and landscape related services, and her wonderful blog. It was an inspiring venture starting with a pleasant ride through scenic areas of Kane County  (more on my Winnie the Pooh moment later) and a warm welcome by Debra and “Sister”, which made the journey sweeter. Visit Debra’s blog at 5thandstate.blogspot.com/ for news, and, hopefully, pictures of the event  and of her casually elegant 1850’s home.

Once back at Scentimental Gardens, we browsed the store, sipped warm cider and nibbled on donut holes.

I was privileged to have an enlightening conversation there with Elaine Matsushita, aka the snoopster. I’m sitting here at my cluttered desk, processing my thoughts while munching on blue M&M’s Elaine was handing out, and kicking myself for not picking up a signed copy of The Power of the Powder Room Elaine did in conjunction with Susan Fredman. All I have to show for this encounter at the moment are blue tinted M&M teeth and a sore behind (Winnie the Pooh is coming). Elaine was editor of the Home section of the Chicago Tribune before the powers-that-be made an unforgivable sweep of some of the Trib’s best people. My Sundays have not been the same since. I can, however, visit with this delightful snoopster at thesnoopster.com/.

As I write, I am a little tired with my pride a tad bruised. My pride is often bruised. Those who know me know of my lack of gracefulness and penchant for making a spectacle of myself. There was the time I got my finger stuck in the gas nozzle at the gas station. Getting my foot stuck in a heating duct was an NBA moment if there ever was one, and, oh yes, the window of the Art Institute of Chicago’s former Oak Brook store that displayed my lipstick plastered on the plate-glass door for all to see one sunny afternoon was classic. Today, however, it was merely the simple act of getting into the van that caused my fall from grace. It was not a pretty picture – and I still don’t know who covered my back (thanks to whoever you are).

Vans were used to transport over 100 people back and forth. They were roomy and comfortable and our driver was wonderful. The problem for a short, wobbly Weeble like me was a rather high step that needed to be mounted in order to get in. I looked at Kathryn, she looked at me, panic set in with a look from each that telegraphed  “you go first”.  My trusty friend went first and managed, somehow, to get in, then extended a helping hand. I tried and I tried and I tried again, sensing the more limber ladies lolling behind me wondering if we were the warm-up act. Kathryn was pulling while someone else was pushing from somewhere behind my behind, when, finally, momentum, as a healthy spike propelled me up and over and in I sailed, scoring a point like a gigantic volleyball sailing over the net.  I’m sure I looked like Winnie-the-Pooh in the classic scene where he got his head stuck in the honey pot.

Special treats can warm you inside, like when a friend is by your side –                                                                                                             W.T. Pooh

Thanks, Kathryn, for pulling me through.

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