A Wyoming-scape, the first of several coming. Of course in a month all this will be covered with white. But for now, it’s a land loving sun (the painting’s title). Click for larger view.
We’re home from Wyoming. We loved it. One thing we noticed was the weather changes. We’re not used to such in southern California, being by the coast and more moderate and slower to change. In Wyoming, particularly at the altitude of Jackson Hole, there could be extremes within hours, like heavy wind and rain twice in an afternoon with balmy sun in between. Only once did we experience an early September morning that we considered “very” cold (again with shirt-sleeve warmth by noon) but it was enough to remind how it can get.
As it happens, I just came across a letter from my mother about her being caught unaware in a 40 degree night. That’s 40 degrees below!
It was the year that Dad graduated from college–1942. Companies were looking for young engineers as they were needed in the war effort. He was interviewed by several, like General Electric, etc. RCA was interested enough in him that they paid his way to be interviewed at the home office in Camden, New Jersey.
He went on the train as planes weren’t used much in those days and I think he was gone about a week. We had been living in Laramie, Wyoming where the University was, but we went the 120 miles to Rawlins, where I stayed at his parents’ house. One night I got a job baby sitting for a family while they went out for a New Year’s eve party.
When they got home they offered to drive me home but I declined as I thought it was JUST TOO MUCH TROUBLE for them. I can’t believe how stupid I was. I walked home probably four or five blocks, maybe more.
I got so cold that I couldn’t warm the rest of the night, sleeping by myself. And his parents turned off their furnace at night, just as we do [in California]. I realize now that I could have turned up the thermostat but wouldn’t have done it without talking to them. His two younger sisters shared a double bed and I had a single bed in the same room. I could have crawled in with them, but didn’t think about it, as I always had the desire to please people.
Instead I just shivered all night. I couldn’t stop and I couldn’t sleep. It was one of the most miserable nights of my life.
The next morning I found out it had been 40 degrees below zero after mid-night, while I was out walking. It wasn’t snowing and the moon was bright but it was SO COLD. It is a wonder I didn’t die before I got home. People HAVE died that way. I can’t believe I did it.
The foolishness of youth!
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
11:07 am
Hyatt, this painting is beautiful. Peaceful and majestic at once. Then, I appreciate so much your sharing with us what your mother wrote. It motivates me to start taking out the boxes in the cellar and start reading what I’ve collected about my own forefathers and -mothers.
And there is a confession I have to make. The remark I thought John Steinbeck made about Wyoming – well he talked about Wisconsin! So sorry. These mistakes happen when you don’t know what you are talking about (I’ve never been to either place). I’ll be more forgiving in the future when people mix up Sweden and Switzerland…
11:50 am
Franziska, Thanks. None of us here in America would have known the difference about the Steinbeck quote. You said, that he said, “Wyoming is just one beautiful place.” Wyoming, Wisconsin, both are nice. I lived seven years in Wisconsin. But I like your mis-quote better.
1:21 pm
Oh yes! Even down here in the northern part of CO, we experience the sudden changes. AND when we were in WY, we did have some of those 40 below nights….it’s just harder to be realistic about weather up here in these parts….Glad the Lord spared your mother….we would have been short of the blessings SHE brought to us, and minus all you kids who have blessed us.
1:47 pm
Your painting is lovely, Hyatt! What a story! Glad you were ok in the end! WOW! Thanks Lisa
9:52 pm
How big is your painting ? And how much??
9:04 am
Sue, It’s 12×16 and marked at $850.
6:50 am
Love the colors and simplicity, and how you let your raw brush strokes do the job.