I think Ric would have been very happy with our celebration. The weather was clear and windy though not enough to prevent our neighbors Wendy and Ken from sending up a kite to take a quick video. Compatriots from all parts of our lives swirled about The Number Nine all day until about 6:30 (6+3 = 9) when we shared stories and then went to the garden to release 72 (7+2=9) butterflies while Susan Rawcliffe played Amazing Grace on her ocarina (see video below). Visitors took away a Number Nine mug made by our dear friend Carolyn, a flash drive with Ric’s art work and favorite music, and hopefully a sense of community forged in savoring memories of Ric.
It was special for me to see different parts of our lives collide with people from various places, times of our lives, and with shared passions. I bask in the memory of the fond stories and feeling of love and 
appreciation that I felt that day. Each hummingbird, butterfly, and dragonfly in the garden makes me stop to remember moments from that unforgettable day. Whether it was making the sand painting of Ric’s image with Carolyn in the citrus garden, being serenaded with Angel from Montgomery in the wood shop by Stuart and Mary, sitting in the bathroom with Ricky talking about Lakshmi, talking with Perry in the studio about Ric’s last year, or sitting back and savoring the hubbub of love and care, each moment with each visitor was tinged with magic.
Ric’s dream is alive in the people he touched and I’m moving forward with efforts to make The Number Nine fulfill his vision of supporting the arts.
With love and gratitude – yours devotedly E
June 11
June 11
June 11
Andrea Lien's work
Kasey's work
Carolyn strikes again!
Floating Lilies
Carolyn's mugs
Carolyn makes it happen
Tools of the trade.
Carolyn at work.
Kasey's bunny rabbit
Ric always said "It won't last"
This sand painting last about 3 months.
