Ed, the Shepherd 2001

By Mary May Barrows (Angelil)     Christmas Eve 2001 (soon after we moved from Florida to Virginia)

We are here in Virginia and somehow the days just roll by.  Ed keeps life interesting – it’s kind of like watching a whirling dervish when he enters the house.  His zest for life and enthusiasm are joyful to behold.

He was a very good Shepherd #1 for the Christmas Eve service.  He carried a torch pole with an orange cellophane torch.  For their first scene, shepherd #2 came in first and it became his job to herd the "sheep"   (a tiny girl of about 4 years dressed in what appeared to be a rabbit costume.  It took several minutes for me to figure out that she was a sheep.)   He had a tough time trying to get her to go up onto the stage and not into the aisle. 


For their second appearance, Shepherd #1 (Ed) entered first with the tiny sheep in front of him.  I almost giggled out loud as he tried to gently nudge her along with the pole of his torch.  Even with the sheep-herding problems, Ed spoke his 3 lines perfectly and projected his voice quite well.

Both scenes dealing with this tiny sheep quite resembled how things might go if you tried to herd cats!  (Only you "cat" people can truly understand this.)

When I asked Ed afterwards why he tried to guide her with the torch pole, he said they were told quite clearly backstage not to touch the children.  Even in this tiny town we have to think of legal ramifications! 

I was really proud of Shepherd #1 and even more pleased that he consented to do it.  A nice side benefit was that Shepherd #2 is a very successful real estate/construction man and Ed had great fun discussing heating systems with him.

Brunch and Scuba Club Board Party

Two of my dive buddies, Russ and Julie Manhold, encouraged me to come down to Ft. Lauderdale for the Board party of our scuba club, the Undersea Adventurers.

I can't drive more than about 15 miles without experiencing major muscle spasms (ye ole fibromyalgia again).  It worked out that my new friend, Norma Pennie, has a daughter who lives in Ft. Lauderdale.  So Norma drove us down for the day!

We met Ed's son, Steve, daughter-in-law, Lorraine, and grandson, Sean (8) for brunch.  Norma fit right in.  We had a delightful meal!  

Sean's "my boy"!  It was a special day a few years ago when I was promoted from Ms. Mary to Grandmother Mary.  After eating, we walked a few doors down, where I met Sean's karate instructor.

We spent the afternoon with Norma's daughter, Lisa.  Turned out she lived only five minutes from the party location!

I've been a member of the Undersea Adventurers Dive Club since 1980 and those friendships are still going strong. We have those friendships where we can go years without seeing each other, then start up a conversation as if we were together yesterday. 

Julie & Russ Manhold, Kathi & Steve McCutcheon, MaryMay Angelil

This was a great day for connecting with family, new friends, and long time friends.

Elf-ateers at the Red Hat PJ Party

I considered not posting this because I was afraid it was too shocking......a PJ party?  Then I realized that the pajamas we wore to this Red Hat party were really quite conservative.  

This all started when "The Lindas" and I were in Walgreens looking at the Christmas decorations.  I found these butterflies and asked,  "If I would wear this red butterfly in my hair, wouldn't it count as a 'red hat' at one of our functions?" 

Somehow, this took off and after brainstorming for our PJ party, various shopping efforts, and a little "assembly" party, we were ready to make our debut as the Three Elf-ateers.

Our figures and sizes are just different enough that finding pajamas that would fit all three of us was a real challenge.  We got hysterical as we shopped together and tried on various possibilities.....but Linda Houlihan found these red models that worked.

Linda Ricioppo found flashing earrings and I ordered Avon slippers that blinked as we walked.

This party was also a hat decorating contest so we entered our 3 hats as one entity.......and we won for "Most Original!!" 

It was a kick to watch people as it dawned on them that we were dressed alike.

This was also one of the most fun times I've ever had.....one of those unique days.  Most of all, it was great to share such an experience with two special friends.

My Besties at the Women's Club Christmas Party

I have sooo many friends in Savanna Club.  My first friends here will always hold a special place in my heart.  The pics below were taken at the Women's Club Christmas/Holiday party.

Bobbie Steinberg and MMA

Bonnie McDonnell and MMA

"The Lindas" Linda Ricioppo, MMA, Linda Houlihan

Suzanne Gibbs, MMA

MMA, Norma Pennie

Savanna Club in Port St. Lucie, FL is a good place for me to be, especially in the winter.  Most everyone is retired, they all live within a mile or two, and best of all are "ready to go play" most any day!

Christmas Parade - FL Style

Who would guess what fun a Christmas parade with golf carts could be?  People spend weeks planning their "floats."

The sheriff led the parade.  The carts (about 40 this year) were followed by cars from our Classic Car Club.

Here are a few samples:

Not sure, but this might have been The Ghost of Christmas Past, a character from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

Santa, Florida style!

The cart below was one of the winners.  I'm not sure how they got the gifts to stay up there!

We had refreshments and caroling after the parade.

 Here's part of the crew who prepared the punch, coffee, and cookies for the refreshments.  That's moi on the right.

I enjoyed doing this but it did knock me flat the next day! 
(I try my best to ignore my fibromyalgia but it shows itself sometimes.)

Singing carols.

The golf cart parade was a fun way to get the Christmas/Holiday season started!

First Holidays Alone

I've heard that those first holidays without a loved one can be difficult.  A former minister's wife from my home church in Singers Glen, VA named Rosalie Bailey sent me a booklet in the fall about preparing for those days.  Basically, it said that you can get yourself through those holidays much more smoothly if you PLAN ahead and get yourself out of your house to be with people.  That's what I did and I survived.  Thank you, Rosalie!

Day Trip to Mt. Dora

"The Lindas" (my two dear friends named Linda Houlihan and Linda Ricioppo) and I took a bus day trip to a little town in central Florida called Mt. Dora.

I've heard of Mt. Dora for years and was curious to go there.  It is known for its Christmas lights, music, and little shops.

 After supper, we continued shopping and came across dear ole Santa!

We bought a few little unusual gifts and just had a nice day with perfect weather.  

 It was great to get out of town with two of my favorite people, "The Lindas."

Christmas Tree Glitch-ette

Helping decorate one of the Savanna Club clubhouses yesterday got me in the mood.

I usually wait until December to put up my tree but decided to take advantage of my open day today.  I am trying to be very self-sufficient so was proud that I got the tree into the house and set up all by myself.  

Then came that moment when you plug in the lights and hope they all work --- didn't happen.  Only the bottom half lit up.  After "messing with it" for a while, I got exasperated and called my handy-man.  He came over and it was fixed within 30 seconds!

The problem?  The tree topper plugs into one of the light sockets and I hadn't pushed it in hard enough!  

 

OK, so the tree lights are ALL on and it's ready to decorate mañana!

Thankful for My Tapestry

This is my first Thanksgiving alone for many years and it does seem strange.  (Not to worry, friends have invited me to eat with them.)

As I reflect upon my life, the words from Carole King's haunting song, Tapestry, come to mind:  

"My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue
An everlasting vision of the ever changing view
A wondrous woven magic in bits of blue and gold
A tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold."

How blessed I am to have had such an interesting life, filled with wonderful people and adventures.

I especially miss my Ed this year but my heart has been warmed as I've perused old photos.  I'm astonished at how many people in my photos are now in heaven!

In 2002, Ed and I moved to Virginia (my childhood home).  Uncle Bob May said at church,  "You all be ready on Tuesday and we'll pick you up.  The destination is a surprise."  We spent the whole day driving in West Virginia to see the fall leaves.  What a glorious day!

 

2004  We spent quite a few holidays at the home of Robert and Beth Foerster in Singers Glen. They also included Mother.  

 

When we were in Florida, we usually spent Thanksgiving with Ed's sister, Lorraine Barkett and her family.  This photo was in 2010.

 
I totally enjoyed the leisurely journey we took out West in our RV in 2009.  We had just learned that Ed had lung cancer so we really "seized the day" and savored every moment of our trip.

Yes, my tapestry is ever changing.  
 
Looking at old photos reminded me that I also had a rich life with my first husband, Alan Barrows.  

(Alan was a teacher and died from Early Alzheimer's.)

 

I learned to scuba dive while living in Puerto Rico (for 7 years).  When I moved to Ft. Lauderdale and met Alan, it worked out well that he also dived.  We were very active in the Undersea Adventurers' Dive Club.
 

 



Alan was known for his good sense of humor.  We won a prize at my faculty Halloween party in 1988.  My principal said,  "Any man with the guts to wear that costume deserves to win!"

There are so many other blessings, including my dear family and many, many supportive friends....I could go on for days.    

I continue, with God's help, to add to my rich and ever changing tapestry and I thank all who make my life worth living!   Happy Thanksgiving!

1999 One of our early Thanksgivings together.

Terrific Table Contest

The theme for the Women's Club this month was the Mini-Taste of Savanna.  Each table selects a theme, plans, decorates, and provides food for their table.

I was in a group that chose to have a Baby Shower theme.   Linda Houlihan, Linda Ricioppo, and I had fun brainstorming in the dollar store.  

 The ideas expanded when we met at my house.

 Linda Houlihan, Linda Ricioppo (AKA "The Lindas" or "My Lindas"), Mary Melincoff, and Huie Curtis get started.

We watched Mary a lot as she can make really neat bows.

Linda Houlihan created a fantastic centerpiece "cake" made with diapers.

Huie was the honored guest at our "shower" so she had the hat made of bows.  The final touch was we all went as "preggies"....or did you think those were our real tummies?

The Clown Picnic group went all out.

The ladies decorated their tables AND gave us a show!

The First Thanksgiving gals wore Indian feathers/headbands.

This was an Italian Mama table.

The Karaoke Divas

After they met, the divas agreed to make headbands using CDs on their own.  It was amazing how diverse the results were, with one as cute as the next!

 

The Mexican Fiesta table was colorful.  

 The "senorita" looked quite unlike the real Joanne.

The Southern Belle picnic was charming. 

The picnic had an anthill, complete with ants, as a centerpiece!

The "Savanna Club Hookers" were having way too much fun!

I liked the tablecloth on the America table.

Red, White, Blue America

The Parisian Bistro

Notice the plates have the Eiffel Tower on them.

(You can click on the photo for a larger version.)

Building the table....

Decked out Parisian ladies.

This table was my personal favorite.  Every detail, right down to the Perrier water, was attended to.

(There were quite a few other tables, too.)

The Mini-Taste of Savanna and Table Contest turned out to be a terrific affair.  It's good to keep our brains working and to engage in teamwork as we age!

On a more serious note, we give lots of money to charity.  Besides money, we have a request each month to bring something.  Last month it was toiletries for the Women's Shelter.  This time it was peanut butter for a food bank.  The Women's Club also runs an extensive Angel Tree program.  Our playtime does have a worthwhile purpose.