Mr. Calavera (calavera is the Spanish word for skeleton), pen and marker on graph paper, doodle © 2010 by ybonesy. All rights reserved.
The Missus will be happy. I finally finished the drawing of her husband. He’s not an easy man—a hard-drinking, hard-living type who would have driven any good woman to die of love. But he’s also an old-fashioned guy, opens doors for women (probably too many doors and Lord knows where they lead) and his kids crawl all over him when he comes home late smelling of whiskey. He can ride a horse and slaughter a cow, grow a garden, hold his liquor. A man’s man. And a decent poker player, to boot.
And you know what? He’s just as devilish in the afterworld as he was in this one. But that’s OK, because over there life is easy. For the both of them. No guilt or sin or any of the baggage that keeps us running in circles in this world.
Day of the Dead was celebrated last week on November 2nd. I hope my lovely couple—fashioned after my grandmother and grandfather, although if he really were Grandpa, he’d be wearing jeans and a cowboy hat, and a bolo tie if he had to dress up; everything else is the same, though—had a great time.
In this world they had a combustible marriage. Too many poker games, plus that damned redhead on Coco Street, and gambling away dinner for the next two weeks, which brought about a swing of the broom, or worse, when he came home late at night with his paycheck gone. But they were bigger-than-life-sized characters. I wouldn’t have wanted them to be any less explosive or colorful or real. I’m thinking of them this early November. Realizing how with each passing year I inch a little closer to taking their place in my family chain.
Happy Day of the Dead, all you living (for now) folk!
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Love the drawings, love the story.
It can be a shock when you realize you’re the older generation. I’ve quit inching–I’m pretty much there.
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ybonesy, I love your drawing! It’s beautiful. Your grandparents would be honored. And you’ve got the fire to carry on. I love that about you.
I think two of our parents have November birthdays, don’t they? My mom’s is this week. I think you just celebrated your dad’s. It’s the time of year when I often reflect on the past and family history. In fact, I’m leaving in a few minutes to fly home. Will check in from the road!
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This absolutely MUST be made into a pendant yb because I simply MUST have this!!!! REALLY TRULY!!! OMG!!! LOVE IT!!!
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You got it, Heather! It’ll take me a few weeks, as I have to get little prints made up and find the time to make the pendant, but it’s yours! Thanks!!
And thanks QM and Kathy. QM, hope you’re having a nice time with your mom and brother and other family members. Yes, both our parents (my dad, your mom) celebrate November birthdays. Does that make them Scorpios? What do you know about Scorpios? My dad is an even-Steven kind of guy, very calm and even keeled. What I love most about him is how much he made me feel that no matter what, everything would be just fine.
Tell your mom HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
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