Hell in a Handbasket - Mariana's Gift

Hell in a Handbasket - Mariana's Gift, originally uploaded by Stephanie A. Richer.

I am in the habit of using Photoshop to make three gifts - one for my husband, Mark; one for my best male friend, John; and one for my best female frind, Mariana. Because Mariana and I exchanged gifts yesterday, I can publish her design.

Mariana and I are lawyers who used to work together. We get together quite often and discuss all of life's problems - and this year saw many for Mariana, as she battled through chemo and radiation for her breast cancer. I am happy to say, she's doing well.

At some point in our many talks, though, we'll remark to one another, "We're going to hell in a handbasket." At one time, however, as layers foten do, we discussed opening a bar that we would call "Hell in a Handbasket" so that everyone could go there . . . for happy hour.

Mariana has gotten through her cancer with the ceaseless love and support of her husband, Tracy. He purchased a motorcycle last year and the two of them love nothing better than to hit the roads on nice days. Hence, the reference to the cycle shop.

I am moving in Summer 2010 to Tennessee. Mariana and her husband are inspired, since a longtime dream of theirs is to move to North Carolina. The last time they were over at our house, we declared my front law to be the state of "North Tennelina", and I send her husband pictures to let him know a move could bring him and his cycle close to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

She loved this design, which I had done on a baseball jersey for her. I love my friend and I hope we will both find ourselves in North Tennelina in 2011.

Oh, the baby? That's her. She plans on wearing the shirt to her sister's home for Christmas, to see if her mother recognizes the picture.