Anne is seen here modeling the Russian fur hat that my mother acquired when first visiting the Soviet Union. Anne plans on employing this helm to summon her minions, the dandelions that we see going to seed along the ridge road that we routinely walk. Dandelion seeds fly in the wind aided to their specialized structure, a “parachute” called a pappus, helps them remain airborne and travel long distances. This pappus is made up of tiny, hairlike filaments that create a unique vortex in the air, allowing the seed to stay aloft and carried on the wind.

When my mother visited Russia that first time, she traveled as part of a tour but was otherwise alone. Unfortunately, she was carrying with her the seeds then of her own death. She caught a respiratory disease that was bad enough that she had to see a doctor. The Russian doctor ordered chest X-rays that revealed spots on her lungs. The doctor interpreted these spots as tuberculosis, which is endemic over there. Sick as a dog, she was immediately put on a plane and flown back across the pole, home to Texas. In Dallas, my parent’s health insurance had her seeing an Air Force doctor. Still carrying her Russian X-rays that fascinated the US physicians the misdiagnosed tuberculosis was re-diagnosed as lung cancer. This commenced for her a twenty-year battle with cancer. One that would include three remissions and three reoccurrences of the disease. It would eventually claim her life, but not before she and my father saw much more of this world together and they would eventually be able to build their dream home and enjoy it together here in Monterey.