Here’s to Mark, who’s celebrating a birthday this week! Husband to Becky, father to Anna, and friend to many, including Plugger the bunny and Bailey the pig (at the urban farm where he volunteers). Great gardener and giver of raspberry bushes. Deep thinker, avid reader & writer. Patient penpal (luckily for me). Skilled maker of fine scale models, which you can see on his website (and also commission).
Speaking of Mark’s models, one of the most thoughtful gifts I ever received was this miniature version of the Northwoods cabin where my grandmother had lived as a little girl. The model is tiny, less than 2 inches square. It came with small figures, and furniture, too—a potbelly stove, a bed, and 2 benches.
Here’s another model, this one from Mark’s website, that I remember him working on when I still lived in Denver—the house in the background of Grant Wood’s famous painting. (To not only visualize, but to construct something like this, seems incredible to me.)
One more, just so you can see the scale and detail…Littleton, Colorado’s one-room school house (now part of their historical museum).
So here’s to Mark, amazing model-maker, great fellow, dear friend: Thanks for being the wonderful person you are! Have a fabulous celebration, kicking off a grand year ahead, and may all your birthday wishes come true.
Thank you for this, Jean! Dad really loves it.
I’m so glad, Anna. And was so happy to hear you’d be home for the occasion—That really makes the celebration complete! Have a great visit & my best to both your folks. 🙂
Jeanie, what a lovely tribute. Happy Birthday, Mark! I remember meeting you briefly on a visit to see Jean several years ago, and of course I remember the beautiful little Northwoods cabin. I’m astounded by the gorgeous little models on your website. Have a great year and many happy returns!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Sis. (Also really glad you got to meet Mark — I’d forgotten that!)
I love both the drawn and the photo collage. Wonderful tribute to a creative and caring man! Hurrah!
Celeste, so happy you liked the post for our friend Mark, and btw lovely to see you on here. I was literally just talking about you — telling my dad about the time the three of us camped out to watch the Perseid meteor showers. What fun that was…though I will never forget Mark’s comment as we were about to go to sleep: “Not every camper has seen a mountain lion, but they say every camper has been seen by one” (or words to that effect). While I know it was meant to reassure me, the newbie (that the big cats were likely to leave us alone), I didn’t fall asleep quite as quickly as I’d hoped after that. 😉