Showing posts with label friend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friend. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Reactions are Rewarding

I started something! The reactions to my cabin blogs are wonderful. Now I know why I was compelled to write them. Many are sent to my "regular" e-mail address and several things were clarified, too.

Two neighborhood siblings remember their grandmother being the victim of an overshot dart from the living room into the bedroom behind the partition when they were staying at the cabin for a while. It landed in her wig! Their sister remembers the dog who liked to taunt the children while swimming. She also remembers the jelly making projects with me. One remembers the cleaning of rabbits in the old sink, plus seeing the "egg factory" of a hen being cleaned at the kitchen table and my mother showing what's inside it. The lazy susan that was, and still is, on the kitchen table fascinated one young girl. She shared the name but resented the lazy part. They remember the horsehoe pits and vying for time there; also playing Frisbie when adults were throwing horseshoes. The old horseshoes and stakes are in our utility closet today and haven't been used in decades. Today, these sisters are both elementary schoolteachers. Their "homey" feelings and remembering a welcoming place where so many people came and went were expressed with love.

One friend reminds me that she was there too, when the mouse ran across the mantel and left a scary shadow. She also described the fishing incident where SHE caught the turtle on her line while in a canoe with my brother and the demise of the critter afterwards. It was THE turtle that was later cooked and eaten. She told me that my mom claimed the turtle contained seven delicacies but, being a city girl, didn't want anything to do with actually eating it. No Way! Now I know. I didn't know that!

Their messages and descriptions have made the memories even more important. I wish ALL the children and visitors to Cabin Tranquillity would tell me more!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Plastic Angel


A recent note from one of my "other sisters" impressed me very much and I quote her message here. She also took the photo of her angel.


"This angel was in my husband's family’s, so she’s about 60 years old. When his mom first gave her to us, 40 years ago, I thought, “She’s plastic,” not the heirloom quality I thought the handpainted one my family had was. Our kids even said, when small, that she looked like a blonde Wonder Woman, but I have come to love her and the Christmas traditions that she represents, and want to share her with all of you! May such treasures and blessings also be yours this season of family, friends love and joy – and the traditions that bring it all – and us – together !"

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Recalled Memory


My friend who sent me the marzipan gift in the previous blog called, Nuts! Nuts! Nuts! has just read the blog and explained "Why Marzipan?" Her mom and I are life-long friends. She is now afflicted with Alzheimer's. Her daughters have always called me "Aunt Gere." This message came from Hawaii via e-mail. Isn't it great? ! !

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

YAY! I am SO glad you like your surprise! When I was a little girl, Mom and I were shopping in a specialty store, and she picked up a package of marzipan fruits. They were in a long, skinny white rectangular box wrapped with cellophane. The fruits were lined up side by side. I can distinctly remember her excitement when she saw them, “Oh, Aunt Gere loves marzipan!” Believe it or not, I can still see her picking them off the high shelf. She handed the box to me and asked me to hold it while she finished her shopping. I was completely captivated by the details of the fruits. They were so real looking! They were a work of art, and I was sure they must taste as incredible as they looked. I must have asked a hundred questions about them (and probably asked if we could get some for me), because I remember Mom telling me how they were hand painted to look real and that they were an “adult” treat. After we finished our shopping, the two of us delivered them to you at your house. You opened the box right then and there, and you offered a small piece to me. I was SO excited and felt very special to be able to share an “adult” treat. (I did not know then what a tremendous sacrifice this was on your part!). I eagerly popped it into my mouth, but unfortunately it did not taste anything like what I thought it would—I was expecting a fruity sensation, not an almond flavor! I was sorely disappointed!

For whatever reason, this memory has stayed with me all these years, and I think of you whenever I see marzipan. Enjoy every bite!

Love,

Sue 8-)