In Loving Memory: Ruth Bader & Iris Apfel

Ruth Bader and Iris Apfel were small in size—but RICH in spirit. These beloved rescued guinea pigs brought curiosity, comfort, and joy into my life. With their gentle presence, expressive little faces, and unmistakable personalities, they reminded me daily:

~ To SAVOR the simplest moments ~

They showed me how LOVE can be steady and wordless, how connection doesn’t need explanation, and how presence itself can be a profound gift.

Losing them last year was heartbreaking. Grief asked me to soften, to pause, and to honor how deeply LOVE can touch us.

Thank you, sweet girls, for all you gave to me and to all of my friends who also loved you.

~ We will deeply cherish our memories of you both ~

It’s time to share some photo and video highlights (they’re in random order)… Sound on for the videos.

Valentine’s Day wishes from both “guinea girlz,” 2022.

In case you don’t know who Iris Apfel (my Iris’ namesake) was, here’s a brief description from Wikipedia:

Iris Apfel (1921–2024) was an American interior designer, textile expert, and fashion icon celebrated for her eccentric, maximalist style—characterized by bold, colorful clothing and oversized glasses. Known as a “geriatric starlet,” she co-founded Old World Weavers with her husband, Carl. Iris worked on White House design projects for nine presidents.

Iris Apfel lived her creative, unapologetic, BOLD life for 102 years!

Now, did you know that guinea pigs are often referred to as “furry potatoes?” This comparison bothered my Iris, so here’s her comical rant. Sound on…

Next namesake, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. If you’re not familiar with her, here’s Wikipedia’s description:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) was an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1993–2020) […]

A pioneering advocate for gender equality, she co-founded the ACLU Women’s Rights Project and successfully argued landmark anti-discrimination cases. Known as “the Notorious RBG,” she was a liberal icon famous for her fiery dissents.