Junie was my grandmother. She was an artist in her own right, although she often discounted her creativity. The mother of six children, many of whom are excellent artists themselves, she always had a craft project brewing. When I visited her as a child, she would take orders for shaped pancakes from all the grandchildren present. She was at ease with a spatula, and could magically transform sloppy batter into trees, foxes, elephants, or anything else we wanted. Toward the end of her independant life, she had a room full to the ceiling with craft and art supplies. I'm afraid I've got her craft room gene. I remember how wonderful it was to go in there, the entrance of which was only granted on rare occasions, due to the hazardous nature of the contents' placement. There were boxes of buttons, bolts of material, reams of colored paper, crayons, clay, ribbon, sequins, faux jewels, chalk, paintbrushes, jars of all sizes and many other mysterious treasures. My grandmother once built a doll's house with me, including tiny furniture and people, using stuff she got out of that room. That house was the only stable home I had at the time, as my parents were splitting up and the world at large didn't seem like such a friendly place. She was a warm bosom to snuggle next to and always had time for the kids.

Junie was born Eva June Dickinson to a modest farm family in Kansas. Without a doubt, her Junie-isms will live on through many generations of descendants: She always ducked her head while crossing a bridge in a car, she called a chimney a "chimbley". I can still hear her holler "Harold!" (her placid, long-suffering husband, my dear grandfather) in my mind. She had false teeth for most of her life, and was known to give a toothbrush to every child as a gift. Along with it would come a lecture on caring for your teeth (and a piece of candy on the side).

She died in the spring of 2002, and she'll be missed, quirks and all. This site is dedicated to her memory, and all that she gave to her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.