Category Archives: Events

Aunt Ginny

Events, People
Ginny helps Dona draw at Grandma's diningroom table.

My Aunt Ginny was 11 when I was born. She was more like a big sister to me than an aunt. I remember lots of good times with her. She took me to see Mary Poppins and said she cried (or nearly did) for the little old birdwoman.

I was “Junior Bridesmaid” in her wedding and once, when my mom and I were having a tough time, I decided wanted to move in with my aunt and uncle (either them or my Grandma and Grandpa). I even harbored a secret fantasy that Ginny was actually my mom, conveniently ignoring the fact that she was still a child when I was born.

Visits to Illinois used to be extra special when we got together — often for a day of shopping. We even stayed with Ginny and her husband, Jack, a few times while we were in the area.

A couple of years ago Ginny and Jack moved to Mississippi and never looked back. I felt betrayed, but really couldn’t blame them — after all, I escaped the Midwest too, didn’t I?

They’re very happy in Mississippi. I hope to see them again someday, but I’m sure it will be on their turf and not ours. It’s possible they’ll never see my kids again — after all, the kids are going to be off on their own before too long and won’t be taking many more family trips with us. Mississippi just isn’t necessarily on the radar any time soon.  We’d planned on visiting them soon after they moved to Missisippi, but circumstances prevented it.

I think that I’m just going to have to put my foot down and pay them a visit, with or without my husband and kids. I don’t see any other way, really.  Sometimes the world seems like a smaller place these days, but other times it seems far too large.

My Favorite Veteran

Events, People

Dad's Navy Photo My dad was in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. His time in the Navy is what he tends to remember the most and he never tires talking about the places he saw while on his tours of duty.

Things I remember him telling me include:

  • Buying a pair of binoculars to spy on the women at the topless beach
  • Driving to and from Philadelphia in a car with a rumble seat.
  • Eating chipped beef (and liking it!)
  • Seeing the Rock of Gibraltar
  • Being offered a job and the option to inherit the family business if he’d marry someone’s daughter (someone he was not in love with)
  • The time he shook hands with Gary Cooper and gave him a cup of coffee. Cooper was on board my dad’s ship because it was being used in the film, You’re In the Navy Now.

Things I didn’t know, but learned today while going through a packet of his papers and photographs, were:

  • he was an associate member of the Thorland Club — a club in Haiti, if the few sources I found on the Internet can be believed

thorlandclub

  • He crossed the Arctic Circle on November 12, 1949 and thus became a member of the Royal Order of Blue Noses.

bluenoseclub

  • That my dad was among the first crew on the ship when it was commissioned, making him eligible to be a Plank Owner.

plankowner

Looking at the post cards my dad bought while on his various tours of duty makes it look like his time in the Navy was akin to being on a cruise ship, but I’m sure he just told me the good parts. He probably had to work hard at his job and I’m willing to bet he was pretty good at it.

Voting

Events, Musings, People, Politics, Rave, , , ,

Waking up to the delightful although not unexpected news that Barack Obama is the president-elect is a lovely cap on an unforgettable voting experience.

I wasn’t sure when I was going to vote — I’d hoped to do it with a minimum of waiting because I had a full day ahead of me what with computer issues, a pet crisis and a teenager in need of new jeans. I didn’t listen to the news before heading out at about 10 to cast my ballot, but didn’t expect to encounter a long wait at that time in the morning.

When I pulled into the parking lot of our polling place — the local rescue squad — and saw the line stretching around the building and down the sidewalk, my eyes teared up. I was proud to be a part of this and proud of my fellow citizens.

I parked in the overflow parking lot of the church next-door (which had a few empty spaces despite the fact it also was a polling place) and headed to stand in the line, not knowing how long I would be there. It didn’t take long before everyone was talking to everyone else. One woman was asking those around her their opinions of various constitutional amendment proposals on the ballot. Others were talking about the excitement in the air. After about 15 minutes in line a black and white Saturn pulled up and employees from Honest Tea, a company based in Bethesda, handed out free Honest Tea drinks to folks standing in the line. That only added to the party atmosphere.

Honest Tea Mobile

As the line snaked around the building and up the steps, I noticed my neighbors at the end of the, now significantly shorter, line. They were eligible to go ahead of the crowd and take the elevator, by merit of their age, but they stood in line like the rest, and chatted with their fellow voters.

I saw several people from my neighborhood and people I’d met over the years through school connections. We nodded or shared a few words as we crossed paths.

Mary and Bob, my neighbors. In line to vote.

A woman ahead of me is becoming a Head Start teacher after retiring from NEA. The woman behind me brought her children and her oldest son, who was voting for the first time. The man directly in front of me had his preschool aged daughter who behaved very well, standing in line that long.

Standing in line is not anyone’s favorite activity, but yesterday I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. When my husband voted — he said there was no line and I should have waited until 4 to vote. Nope — I’m glad I went when I did. It was the best hour I’ve spent in a long time.  And the best time waiting in line ever.

I read the blog of a woman I knew a few years ago, and her post today is that she didn’t vote because of the line and then didn’t go back to vote because of the rain later in the day. I feel sorry for her, missing out on the excitement and camaraderie of the event.