Cousins Reunion 2008

Just home from my weekend in southwestern Ontario. I spent the weekend with the 3 other cousins that I would hang out with during the summers as we were growing up.

We stayed at The Vintage Goose:The O'Heron House in K'ville. As a young girl I often visited in this home with the twins that lived there. They sold the house to a local group of investors who set it up as a B and B. This weekend we stayed up stairs in "Grandpa Pickards". Mr. Pickard was Pauline O'Heron's father and he and his wife lived in the upstairs of this huge Victorian Home.

I told the young ladies who run the B and B daily, one of my stories of staying there as a child. Just inside the front door is (was) a coat closet, situated under the front stairs. Just before one weekend that I stayed there my parents had bought me a brand new coat, a rarity as I had lovely hand me downs from my cousin Gail. My brand new blue wool coat with the velvet collar was hanging in that aforementioned front hall closet. On the Sunday morning as I was getting the new coat out of the closet to go to church we noticed that their dog had chewed mouthfuls off the bottom of the coat. I still wore it to church. I was devastated. I was in Junior Choir that morning. I remember sitting in the front row, crying all during the service. I also remember not one person ever asked me why I had cried so much in church. I never saw my beautiful coat again. I don't remember what replaced it.

That closet has its door and the back wall removed. There is now a small check in counter built in front and the closet is like the front office area.

I told the young woman there as I checked in that the twins had their huge bedroom over the garage when I stayed there.

It is a lovely place, updated with modern conveniences like hot tubs or showers in each room plus the garage area is now a Spa. The food is delicious and the presentation is lovely.

The majority of our weekend was spent with our Aunt Marg. She is the last living sister of our mothers' family. There were 9 girls and 2 boys in this family. Another cousin still owns the family home. He came and opened it and let us walk around. It was a wonderful morning. With each of us giving little vignettes of memories. Our Aunt Marg told stories from her generation. The house was built in the 1870's. It was a one floor home. After 7 children our grandfather decided to have the roof raised and built an upstairs addition.

Aunt Marg was able to tell us where each of mothers' bedrooms were. We heard from our cousin about the rain barrel system in the upstairs bathroom. We heard about the time the house went electric, the cost of having electricity and fixtures installed. We heard about the time lightning came through the old ringer phone on the wall in the kitchen. We talked about the meals and snacks grandma made. Her fried chicken, freshly killed by grandpa or an uncle earlier that day.

One of my big memories is going out to the hen house with grandpa. Watching him pick up a plump bird, chop its head off on an old stump and the chicken would end up as grandma's yummy fried chicken later that day. One cousin reminded us of vanilla ice cream and maple syrup for dessert.

Our aunt wrote beautiful memories for us to read. One I love was of the lining of an old coat of an older sister being turned into a beautiful dress for a younger sister. She received many compliments on this gorgeous dress.

We heard stories of Julia, our grandfather's mother who wanted to run off with a skedaddler (an American Civil War 'resister'). She returned home and eventually married our great grandfather.

We heard of hard work and happy times. We heard of the loss twin baby boys years after my mother and her twin were born.

Many pieces to the puzzle of the family relationships fell in place for me. I fell back in love with this family of origin. They became real, not perfect, a blessing.

It was cool to hear stories of my 3 cousins visiting our home when we were kids. How they remembered eating toast with maple butter. How they remembered swimming near the docks in K'ville and two us holding up the youngest to keep her from drowning ( I didn't remember that part), they remembered going to the Roxy with me on Saturday afternoons and some movies we saw there. We remembered playing with grandpa and combing his hair. We remembered grandma fixing hems of dresses after we stood at the kitchen table, still very still.

Our cousin is going to have to "raise" the house. The foundation is cracking, other issues. That will be sad day for many but the memories and stories will remain. It was a magical time to grow up. As children we were unaware of the struggles, we were unaware of any pain. We knew when we went out to the farm there would always be some one to play with. I can remember telling by the cars in the driveway who would be there and what fun we would have.

Other places we visited and ate: Jack's Restaurant in downtown K'ville, I had Lake Erie perch, wonderful. We all went to Colasanti's Farm - they have the Broasted Chicken recipe from the old Hilltop - was just as delicious and yummy. Joan and I went to Annabelle's, across from the Catholic church. Lovely tea room that now serves dinner. Once again beautiful old home that has been restored with tremendous food. It is owned and operated by a local couple - I went to high school with their older sibs.

Thanks Joan, Ann and Becky and Aunt Marg and Gordon for a Memorial Weekend! Thank you Don(ald) for patiently driving me to and from the airport, I sincerely appreciate your kindness!

Joan and I also visited with our Erna. We were just coming for coffee but she had baked Shepherd's Pie for us at 9 AM. We had a short but great visit. She is doing well and was thrilled to spend even some time with us. We also visited Greenhill and walked among the graves of many no longer here but richly remain in our thoughts.

On Friday as I was leaving for the airport I felt somewhat guilty for leaving Larry and Ya-Ya, don't mothers always have misplaced guilt. But it was so worth my time. Larry was totally supportive.

If I could have time in a bottle, I would fill it with memories of ya'll!

babs

April 11, 2008

What it can't be! How did I turn up 60 today. That sounds old. Why don't I feel old - except for a couple health issues that I'm working on.

I wonder about the next couple decades of my life. What plans does God have? I want to be challenged to do my best for Him. Please don't sit me on a shelf.

I appreciated the fireworks He provided today. These Southern storms can be annoying but the one today I took as celebration.

To my kids and grandkids. Live your life for others. Live your life full speed ahead.

Regrets: Now this sounds like a song "Regrets, I have a few" - biggest being - I wish I had known Jesus as my personal Saviour earlier in my life. I knew about Him, but I didn't commit my life to Him, until our boys were teenagers. Praise God, He protected them and guided their every path. But I missed out on doing important things like daily devotions with them, etc. I would know them more deeply if I had.

Can't believe I never prayed for them until they were teenagers unless they were sick or hurt.

It humbles me God's great and loving care.

Thanks for life and love!

Barbara

Spring Break 2008

No one is playing scrabble this afternoon on Facebook, I can't get into understanding the Mousetrap game, so I deleted that so I thought I would fill you in on our Spring Break.

It was great to see our friends in Burlington. The Andrews are so generous to have us over and invite others to join in. This was the first we'd see our friend Mabel since her surgery. We were pleased to see her progress. She continues her positive attitude.

Friends Al and Jan had a few of us over for dinner also. It was fun to be with Huntley partners again. I treasure those days so much now.

It was good for me to be in Ya-Ya's interview for Camp. I had grown quite hesitant about her serving there this summer. But during the interview I was given peace about the leadership and the care that she will be given there. I pray the Spirt of Christ falls deeply on her this summer.

We visited two casinos with our pastor sons and their families. Sounds funny. We had lunch in each casino. I especially like the ambience of the one in Orillia. If you have to be stupid and be taxed that would be a lovely place to blow your hard earned money.

I am in a weird mood and mode today sorry. God bless you.
bab

March Break 2008

Jake and Heather and kids came this year for their March Break. The weather was wacky, snow piled up to 1/2 inch on Saturday. By Thursday afternoon it was 71 F!

We took the kids back to the Adventure Science Center and the Nashville Zoo. Two places they have been before and enjoy. We did quite a bit of shopping. Wilson is earning his own money now delivering newspapers so he purchased alot of new clothes for himself. I picked out a cotton shirt he actually liked.

We took them to the Opry. Being a musical family they all enjoyed this experience. They appreciated the different styles and commitment to music. We took them to a Predators game. They appreciated "the show" that is put on there, a fast paced and entertaining evening.

We took them to the Belle Meade Plantation. Excellent tour by a well educated "tour guide". We took them to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch, huge success followed by a quick side trip to find Vince Gill and Amy Grants home in Belle Meade, thanks to Jake's excellent map skills.

It was sad to see them leave. Dad and I so appreciate the effort, time and expense that many of you have made to visit us here. You have accepted our move away as a positive. We are thankful.

Love to all,
bab

Super Storms

Last night we lived through hours of super storm cells passing overhead. Our NOAA radio screeched for hours. We spent time in our closet, prepared yet praying for God's protection.

We had nothing more here in our neighbourhood than lots of rain, few lightning, little wind. We are so fortunate as many here in Tennessee were very hard hit.

We had blankets and pillows and water and cell phones and Mercy and the 3 of us all huddled in our closet in the bathroom. Cozy and hot.

We saw from our front porch, an orange glow of a huge fire. We thought our downtown was on fire. It was a gas line pumping station hit by lightning or wind or something that blew up.

I still think I'd rather live through a blizzard than a night of tornado warnings.

God bless you,
Grandma

Happy New Years 2008!

Another blank slate, another turn of the page, more opportunities, more challenges, more blessings. This New Years more than others I find I am more aware of the freshness this day brings.

But I can rest knowing God has His plan for me all set out, I just need to be obedient!

We had such a great time at Christmas with kids and grandkids. We consider it all pure joy to have been placed in a family with these amazing people. Our travel was uneventful, which is always appreciated. No border crossing issues. It really is worth it to have those Visas.
We had visits with Ontario friends after our kids went for their Christmas visits to spousal families. We had lunch with Karen and Dave and dinner at Bob and Mabel's with Bill and Mary and Ron and Marg. Fun times!

After we arrived home Al and Joyce arrived for two nights on their way to Florida. They were interested in visiting the Country Hall of Fame and Museum and then we walked Broadway and visited a few tourist trap shops. I always feel sad when people leave, having familiar folks around is always a blessing.

Today we are taking it easy watching the parades and football and the outside hockey game in Buffalo. Go Sabres Go, Wilson!

Love to all
Grandma

Merry Christmas 2007

Here we are at another Christmas in Tennessee. Everything here is green and warm. How is it where you are? Winter Wonderland White, I know.

I haven't blogged in ages, doing lots on Facebook, which has been fun, especially playing scrabble with Heather and Lori Ann and trying to play these video type games with the grandkids, which I am not good at!

We have made significant progress this year settling in to our Southern life. I am starting to look at this time as a gift from God, yet another one!! For however long He keeps us here, I intend to enjoy and discover as much as possible.

I have really become fascinated with the Civil War battles that were fought near here. Even in our town there was a Union encampment. We have visited a couple of sites in Franklin and I just finished reading a historical fiction on the battle there. I loved the book since we walked through the house, the grounds and the graveyard that is the scene of this book.

Ya-Ya has had another successful term at her high school, she is half way through grade 10. Her more demanding subjects will be in this upcoming second half of the year.

Larry continues to like his work here. There are challenges but many bright and encouraging moments.

We have had so many lovely visitors this year. When we moved here I wasn't even thinking that people from home would make the 12 hour trip BUT we have been pleasantly surprised. Because of these visits we are getting around and seeing the sites too. I actually drove some new friends to Cool Springs Mall a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't believe it. I had been there twice with Larry and then these ladies wanted to go, they didn't want to drive so I drove. I am thankful for that GPS Larry had installed!

We are not sure we are settled at our church, not sure it is the fit for our family. But our intention is to stay involved, continue in prayer for God's leading and remain there until June, God willing, and then re-evaluate. During this Christmas season we have been travelling around to some mega churches to experience their Christmas concerts. Oh my, how powerful. There really is something about those mega churches, besides being big. The glory of God fell on those sanctuaries each evening through God's word being spoken and sung!

Well I'm off for Christmas in Canada. God bless you each one. Thanks for being our wonderful family and kind and generous friends.

Merry Christmas to all!
Grandma