Why...

 

Boldness Launched My Journey...

Despite my talent I was nearly not accepted into the Theatre Scene Design Program of the University I had applied to.  The Department Chairman expressed concerns I may not be able to paint the massive canvas or wood backdrops in the days long before the amazing computer graphics took over towards the end of my career.  

Dr. Ravenall was also very concerned my height challenge could hinder me from using the power saws and the other tools needed in set construction too, yet

I wasn't.😃💫

In my blog piece on Boldness I shared what happened immediately after Dr. Ravenall expressed his concerns in the excerpt below about what can happen when we either learn boldness or must become bold due to certain circumstances...🤣👇

[Even though I am about the same size standing as I am sitting I suddenly stood up in front of Dr. Ravenall to my full height of my very tall 4'3" and boldly let him know a few things about myself.  That it was because of my height I would be an asset as I had more to prove, and I would.  Not only that I had far more courage than the average person.  Furthermore, I was very talented too which he strongly agreed.  And one more thing I blurted out to Dr. Ravenall was I owned and galloped my horse bareback across fields asking him how many people he knew who could!

At this his jaw dropped.  And he was speechless.  He never had ANYONE talk to him before in such a way.  Especially such a young person!

He was silent.  For a brief moment I thought to myself, "Oh shit.  I blew it."

Finally Dr. Ravenall spoke.  "Adelaide, I am not only going to admit you to the program but our renown Prof. Emeritus of Scene Painting Dr. Sonderling, takes only eleven students every other year who have extraordinary talent and character.  Because you have just shown me both in spades I am putting you in his final class this semester."   

WOW.  Being one of the few chosen for THAT class was BIG.  Really big.  So was being admitted to the Theatre Scene Design Program too.  Boldness threw the door wide open for me.]

Dr. Sonderling was a beloved Scene Design professor dear to all.  I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be one of the few chosen for the last class of his long career.  He created this class for Design students who met certain requirements.  For 

me to be a first year student chosen to be in this, the last class, was really something special.  And quite an honour.

In the beginning of the class we prepared the series of huge canvas flats we would need for the Scene Painting assignments Dr. Sonderling would be giving us.

Obviously this was one class where we couldn't take our work home so the ten of my fellow students and I became very close friends, often painting through the nights on our huge assignments.

This class is where I learned I had a very special gift.  Normally artists transferring an image from a photo 

or page from a book divide the page into grids, then enlarge the grids to the flat, transferring the image.  I had a mental block with the grid system yet could freely reproduce a small image in its exact proportions onto a massive flat requiring tall ladders.  This proved to be quite a special gift on my career journey. 

It blew Dr. Sonderling away!  "Adelaide!  How do you 

DO that?!!"

"I don't know!  I just DO IT!  I can't explain how!  Is it a bad thing I can't do the grid system?"

"Hell no!  You really have a gift there!"

Dr. Sonderling wondered if the gift I had was because EVERYTHING from MY perspective is obviously much larger than I am anyway.  So as a Scene Design artist this afforded me the ability to easily recreate small into huge.😃

We had begun our first assignment on 4'x4' flats.  For this Dr. Sonderling gave us each a page from a very wonderful, colorful children's book called, "Tuesday," 

by David Wiesner, which was a funny book about a Tuesday when frogs could suddenly fly.  My page had the frogs on their flying lilypads high above the rooftops as you may see below which I had to recreate onto a canvas flat my height.😂

In High School I had already painted on huge 6'x6' canvas flats for various school productions which contributed to the reasons I was accepted into the Design Program when my portfolio was reviewed.

As Dr. Sonderling observed our individual drawing and painting techniques he discovered another amazing technique I did not know I had.🤔

I was so engrossed in my work I did not realize he was standing behind me watching me work.  All of a sudden Dr. Sonderling loudly blurted out, "ADELAIDE!"

In quick succession he so startled me I spilled half a can of green paint down my front from the frogs I was painting.😂🐸

"OH SHIT!  Did I do something wrong?!!"😱

Laughing, he said, "NO!  But YOU paint from dark to light!"

"Ohhkaaay...doesn't...everyone?"😳

"No, that's just it!  Everyone usually draws and paints from light TO dark!"

"OH.  Is this something I need to change?"😱

"DON'T TOUCH IT!"

When I told my dear mentor friends this they were not surprised.  They reminded me how my very challenging life and indomitable spirit meant I was always striving to overcome the dark to remain in the positive light I held onto in living my life.  And it was coming out in my creative technique of dark to light.  This made sense to me.😃🖌🎨

The time came for Dr. Sonderling's final assignment on the massive 12'x12' canvas flats.  We were anxious to see what we would be painting on this one.  This is when he handed each of us a large sealed envelope with our names written on it.  Inside was the Edward Hopper painting he had chosen for each of us.  Mine was the Empty Storefront seen below.

Not only were we given three weeks to produce this final assignment it accounted for half our grade.  A lot was riding on this project.

Since we each had three or four other classes besides this one we had to really burn the midnight oil to complete this project.  And do a damn good job.  The last two days we hardly left the Scene Shop.  Our massive flats, ladders, and paint were everywhere.  Besides having a steady stream of Theatre Department students and faculty who kept coming to observe our progress.😱

Finally it was time for both Dr. Sonderling as well as 

Dr. Ravenall to critique our work.  One by one in the Theatre our massive flats were set up on the stage.  

We were being assessed on accuracy and our painting ability of the Hopper painting we each had been given. 

Actually we all did well for we wouldn't have been in 

the class if we each didn't have talent to begin with.

Nevertheless, a LOT still was depending upon this assignment.  We would only be given our actual grade when both professors sat down with each of us privately. 

I nailed an A+ the highest possible grade and was well on my way.

We knew our flats became the property of the Theatre Department yet often through the years I have thought how cool keeping my Hopper flat and the flying frogs would have been...😂👏🖌🎨💫

From "Tuesday"

Edward Hoppers' Storefront👇

The WOW Factor...

I first am going to share the story about two seeds with you.  One seed boldly determined she wanted to grow tall and get off the ground doing it.  And she did.  You see it was very stormy where she was so with her courage she soared with the wind to a grove of trees where she made friends right away with the other trees and squirrels too.  Not only did she grow she lived a very full, colorful life.  She was admired for having the courage to live her dream.  There often were tough challenges of stormy weather but she realized the challenges grew her into the wonderful tree she became.  

Now the other seed instead lived in fear and insecurity.  Rather than soar with the wind to amazing new places filled with wonders and a place to grow tall she remained exactly where she was.  She worried about everything.  Most of all she worried about any missed opportunities if she left the ground like the other seed had done.  So she chose not to go anywhere.

Not good...not good.

For one day a crow came along and devoured this fearful, unhappy seed.

I am here to tell all of you about a really kind of mind blowing profound discovery I made recently.  This must be similar to when people suddenly have one of those moments of seeing their life pass before them as they have a near death experience, otherwise we would never know these events are possible for one to have.  Which is a good thing.  Though I have been extremely close to dying several times along the way I have not had nor am I having one of those.  Besides since I bought a expensive wild horse calendar as I do each year for this very purpose, I assure you my going anywhere is definitely not happening anytime soon because I invested in that calendar.😂

Though being height challenged you may have found by now I still managed to live a life of WOW (a life of WOW is another one of those many endearing, so I am told, "Adelaideism" things hoomans who know me either love or laugh hysterically about) by boldly surviva-soaring my way along and carving out one hell of a WOW life anyway.

Only I didn't realize quite how much of a life of WOW I had until I FINALLY arrived at this place in my life where I am writing all the things down I kept promising many I would do (so grateful I kept journals through the decades).  The reason it took me so long to do this is because I was too busy pouring myself into living 

in-between all the hospital living.

Another "Adelaideism" you are about to have the privilege of discovering here is, "The Adelaide IF Threads."  These are when one thing needs to happen for another to happen in life.  We ALL have an "IF Thread Of Gratitude" running through our lives.  Should you be unaware such a vital life treasure exists, please know that it does and hold it dearly.

I believe there is far more to our existence than these amazing bodies made up of billions of cells as we  dwell upon this tiny speck of Earth found somewhere 

in a VERY HUGELY VAST Universe and THIS is BIG folks! 

Anyway, I believe in all that VASTNESS there must be reasons why some of us come into this world with a 

Mt. Everest of horrendous challenges.  I believe this is why some come packaged with treasure, for I was blessed to come packaged with the soul of a horse, a sense of humour, the powerful gift of having love in the midst of hell without love, an indomitable spirit, determination in spades, creative talent, and an innate sense of positivity. 

Now...to my own amazing "Adelaide's IF Thread."

IF Adelaide did not have her loving babysitter at three and the other kids who adored her, she would not have known how much she mattered to others at such a tender age...the beginning of her journey.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide had not learned that love she wouldn't have begun boldly knocking on doors by five in yet another new town as her parents kept moving so much.  Because she did this she immediately found new friends and their parents who loved and accepted her and who stood by her when needed the most.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide's parents hadn't moved again she would not have known the bonds of friendship she found in kids living in the Orphanage, who like Adelaide were adults 

in kid's bodies because our adults failed us.  With Adelaide's innate courage and her new friends she learned to be stronger than all the ridicule and hurt hurled at her.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide had not written a sad yet powerful poem about losing hope read by a teacher who embraced Adelaide with her compassion by taking Adelaide into her home and heart, Adelaide wouldn't have had her first mentor friend who restored her hope.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide's wounds from yet more violence in her home had not been so severe the next morning, her parents feared the teacher would notice and they get arrested and suddenly Adelaide's dream of finally having a horse in her life happened.  Adelaide would not have known her first experience of being set free by her horses without the violence first.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide had not been set free with her horse, she would not have had the ability to paint and draw horses the way she could by making them free, and an art gallery who saw her work would not have represented her at seventeen.  Because of this...

IF the art gallery had not represented her and the local newspaper had not done a story about Adelaide and her art, four very special people touched by something they saw in Adelaide would never have known Adelaide or each other.  They would not have become Adelaide's dear mentor friends who loved her on her journey Adelaide began soaring upon.  Because of this...

IF these four had not taught Adelaide so well and nurtured her innate gifts she would not have pushed so hard to follow her heart into theatre, believing she had what it took to become a set designer.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide did not believe she had what it took to follow her heart to become a Theatre Set Designer she could not have blown away the Theatre Department Chairman with her boldness who accepted her into the Theatre Scene Design Program when he almost didn't. 

Because of this...

IF Adelaide's indomitable spirit following her first spine surgery had not come shining forth as she fought to walk again against the impossible she would not have inspired others who needed to be inspired.  Because of this...

IF one of Adelaide's mentor friends had not recognized Adelaide's gift to inspire others this mentor friend 

would not have encouraged Adelaide into becoming a powerful speaker.  When she did, Adelaide touched many lives by inspiring them.  Then the ripple effects of Adelaide's words they shared with others spread further and further touching more lives.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide never shared the gift for humour she had been given, doors of acceptance would not have been opened.  Most of all, many hearts may not have been opened too.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide did not have the courage and optimism including some insanity to take a HUGE plunge to raise the funding needed for a move to Maryland for more surgery and treatment with a new bone marrow drug by riding her horse ten miles with the media along on the ride too, thousands would never have taken Adelaide and Patches into their hearts.  They never would have embraced the inspiration they said Adelaide gave them.  And the laughter.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide had not plunged forth to Maryland she never would have found the love of her life and become the love of his life.  Though tragedy took his life, Adelaide would never known how deeply one could love and be loved by another and this is a treasure she will forever cherish.  Because of this...

IF Adelaide had not learned the profound gift and meaning of having friends so young, she would not have been able to nail this down so young.  Because of this her gratitude knows no bounds for all the friends she loves and holds so dearly.

You see, despite all my challenges what a fun, creative, filled with a huge cast of characters, love, horses, cats, adventurous, wonderful life I have had.  I have poured more living into my journey with all my severe challenges than many do without physical challenges. 

I have been very blessed to live a life of WOW.  And because of that...

The Greatest Test...

The greatest test of courage on Earth, is to bear pain without losing heart.

                                            ~Robert Ingersoll 

                                     

The Story When Patches Remembered...

Along the way now and then I have been blessed with some very bright shining touch of wonder moments.  Those rare moments when amazing Magic happens...

Not long after Patches came into my life I had yet another spine surgery.  Through no fault of my dear surgeon everything went wrong.  I suddenly began bleeding out thirteen hours in.  Immediately following nineteen hours of surgery, a huge hematoma formed on my spinal cord and began pressing on it.  I was becoming paralyzed.  My surgeon rushed back in and it took another four hours to remove the hematoma.  Twenty-three hours in surgery that day!😱

Two days later on Christmas Day in ICU, my dear surgeon and I discovered I still had a tiny bit of movement in a few toes.  For all I was worth I focused on my toes until they ALL eventually began moving.  Then my feet, legs.  I had a very full life to get back to!

The spine surgery was two days before Christmas.  It was Spring when I finally reached the place where I could walk with a cane instead of a walker.  I wondered if Patches would still remember me.  He was only six months old when I "disappeared," and now he was ten months old! 

One bright Sunday a fellow boarder offered to take me to the farm since I still couldn't drive.  

The farm was very busy that day.  I was so touched for I learned many had come out when they heard 

I was going to be there!  We were all so thrilled to finally see each other again!

I saw Patches way off in the distance high on a hill.  Someone offered to go get him for me.  

"Thank you!  First, please wait a moment," I said.  

I cupped my hands and called his name.  Suddenly Patches' head shot up and he began excitedly looking around as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.  I called again and waved my arms.

In response he loudly neighed and began flying 

down that field.  Then he briefly disappeared from sight.  Suddenly Patches burst forth in sight again 

at full gallop charging up the hill while so excited he was trying to neigh but squeaked instead.

EVERYONE but Patches stopped right where they were, watching.  Tough horsemen were wiping tears away from their eyes.  We ALL realized we were witnessing something very beautiful, special, and magical unfold before us talked about for decades.  Even all the horses stopped, watching this scene unfold!

Patches slammed to a stop a few feet from me, then walked up to me happily rubbing his head up and down me again and again.  Oh my, did Patches EVER remember me!

This...was indeed one of those amazing, rare 

"touch of wonder" gems in life I will hold onto forever deep within and never let slip from my grasp.

For I was blessed with a very bright shining diamond that day.💫🐎🥰🐎💫

Patches charging up the hill at full gallop to 

me.  Before I could take the next photo Patches was already happily rubbing his head up and down me again and again.  Everyone there including me, had tears pouring down our cheeks because we all knew we had just seen the very powerful magic of love happen before us.

Running Right Smack Into...

When working in Theatre one may often meet some of the famous along the way and my life has happened to cross paths with a few...

One year Mikhail Baryshnikov, the amazing ballet star was on tour and came to the performing arts center I worked for.  His performance had long been sold out.

Prior to the performance when life backstage can really get crazy the two of us passed each other.  The first was Baryshnikov and a entourage of people around him while I with brushes in my hands and paint on my face was in a rush.

The second time he was alone and stopped me.  He said, "I could not help but notice you."

I responded with my usual fun humour by saying, "Oh crap!  Is it because of the paint on my face?!!"

And he burst out laughing.  We briefly chatted then Baryshnikov asked, "Will you be staying for the performance?"

"I plan to watch it from the wings!  Wouldn't miss it for the world!"

And I was there.

After Baryshnikov's performance he was given roses and more than one standing ovation.  As the curtains finally fell he gave me a rose saying, "This is for meeting you and THIS is for the paint you still have on your face."  And THAT was a kiss!

Another performer I was so blessed to meet was 

the dear actor Harold Gould.  He starred in many stage, television, and film productions including one of my favorites, "The Sting."  Mr. Gould came to town starring in a stage production.

We met backstage when he couldn't find the way 

to his dressing room.  Being a Little Person throws wide open the door for conversations one normally would not get to have.  Mr. Gould said, "I can't help but notice you are a Little Person!"

"Oh REALLY?!!  Is it THAT noticeable?!!"

He laughed quite hard.

Then we had the nicest conversation.  It turns out he also loved horses.  As soon as he learned about mine he asked, "How DO you get ON your horse?!!"  (I am asked this SO much if I ever write a book that question should be the title)😂

After the performance we had coffee and a very delightful conversation together in his hotel lounge talking about life, dreams, art, "The Sting," and horses before going our separate ways.

The next person I am going to share here is someone most of you may have never heard of, however, those who know theatre will know of this incredible lady, Betty Comden.  

Ms. Comden's writing partnership with Adolph Green was the longest one in theatre history lasting an astounding six decades.  They provided the lyrics and screenplays to some of the most beloved Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows ever.  "Singing In The Rain" is just ONE of them.

How we met is really funny.  In New York on a crowded street in the Theatre District one day where I was in a Scene Design Workshop there a lady literally ran right smack into me almost knocking me over.  This happens to Little People a lot you see when people not expecting a hooman to be found way down here will plow right into us.😱

Immediately as she began profusely apologizing I blurted out, "You're Betty Comden!  WOW, it is such a pleasure to meet you!"  Which then shocked the hell 

out of HER because people usually had no idea what Comden and Green even looked like.  I knew because 

of my passion for and minor in Theatre History.  I was thrilled to meet her!  Ms. Comden was flattered.

Both of us had a free moment so we went to a nearby coffee shop spending a very delightful time talking theatre, Set Design, art, dreams, poetry, jewelry, horses.  "Dear, if you don't mind me asking how DO you get ON your horse?!!"😂

Though I have met other famous people I am only 

going to share one more here.  And believe me this is someone known worldwide.  None other than Colonel Harland Sanders himself Founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken whose home was close to the farm where I boarded some of my horses.

We first met when he was the Grand Marshall of a 

small town parade close to the farm which my pony and I were riding in.  As soon as The Colonel saw me he rushed over.  He was quite intrigued saying, "Why you're one of those little ones aren't you?"

"Oh crap!  I didn't think it was showing today!"

He got a huge kick out of my humor.

So a few months later one day as I was riding my pony Sadie off farm a limo suddenly pulled up beside us.  It was Colonel Sanders who recognized me because my dwarfism was STILL showing.🤣

"Little One, I told Miss Claudia (his wife) about you and she would just love to meet you.  Can you come on up to our place?  PLEEZE?"

How could I possibly turn The Colonel down?  Sadie and I headed up to their place where The Colonel and Miss Claudia were waiting.  They had been married for decades and clearly adored each other.  And they both had a question they wanted to ask.  "Honey, HOW DO you get ON your horses?"

That became the first of several very delightful visits where we sipped tea and talked.

But knowing how fiercely The Colonel was known for guarding the secret of his very famous Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe I knew better than to EVER dare ask what was in it regardless of how darn cute The Colonel said he thought I was.😂

                                   Baryshnikov 

                                   Harold Gould

                             Betty Comden

                        Colonel Harland Sanders 

Within Us...

What lies behind us, 

And what lies before us,

Are tiny matters compared to 

What lies WITHIN us.

                   ~Ralph Waldo Emerson