Willis Reunion 2014

It is now 2019 and I'm just posting the Willis Reunion from 2014.  Better late than never???   I got very involved and between my photos and the sites I found, this has taken quite a while.  Anyway, enjoy!

The Willis Reunion (Mother's side of the family) takes place every two years in the Culpeper, Virginia area.  This summer it started out that there would be five of us from Grandmother Freeman's family going but, due to various reasons (excuses? LOL), I ended up going all by my little lonesome self.

Saturday evening was the traditional picnic, which was held at Fox Neck, the plantation where Great-grandmother Bessie Hiter Willis and Great-grandfather Eugene Harrison Willis raised their nine children.  Grandmother Bessie Willis Freeman was one of the children who grew up there.  

  The house burned years ago but the farm is still in the family.

On Sunday, the reunion was held at the plantation called Presqu'lle.   I drove through some long country roads, over a scary bridge with no side rails, and through long fields but the place was magnificent.  It was worth a bit of dust on my car. 

Click here for a map from Culpeper to Presqu'lle.

It is about 15 miles out.

Presqu'Isle means "almost an island" in French. It can also be translated to "a peninsula."  This beautiful property sits in-between 

the Hazel and Rappahannock rivers.

 Here is an interesting 3 minute video about Presqu'lle:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icKGKiyRsxo  

 As you drive in, you pass the blacksmith shop which has the original forge.

The brickwork is original and rather fascinating.

 Here are links for 2 articles about Presqu'lle: 

http://www.presquisle.com/about/#top 

 https://piedmontvirginian.com/a-morning-at-presquisle/  

All of a sudden this lovely plantation home appeared.  It was built in 1812. 

The brickwork is a Flemish bond and the walls are 2 feet thick.   People traveled from miles around to see its construction.  The nails were forged at Monticello.  

The thick walls explain why it was comfortable inside, without an air conditioner being on.  The entry way is lovely and spacious.

The ceilings featured ornate ceiling medallions and chandeliers.

The grounds provided a charming setting for our reunion meeting and Carry-In meal.  The Willis family is known to be good cooks and it is proven every two years at our reunions.

Cousin Mark Ballard, who lives in Chicago, is one of our family history experts.  He is full of knowledge and I enjoy his postings on Facebook, too.  He's a ginger (redhead) like our Great-grandmother Bessie Hiter Willis and me!

This is one of my favorite photos
showing my cousins 
Jan Lu, Kat Stoneman, and Talia Moser

THEN

and NOW!

I spent my Saturday afternoon at The Museum of Culpeper History.  My cousin, Bill Freeman, donated the dress from my Great-Grandmother Bessie Hiter Willis.   It was  made in the 1860s.  I'm pleased that it properly preserved and stored to be sure it doesn't deteriorate.     

This dress was made for Bessie Hiter Willis.  Photo shows Mary May Angelil, great-grandaughter of Bessie Hiter Willis, and Pam Stewart, the director of the Culpeper Museum.  2014

You might like to review my 2012 Reunion posts:

• Willis Reunion - Sharing my Great-Grandmother's Jo...
• Willis Reunion 2012 - Unique Setting
• Willis Reunion 2012 - Exhausted and Exhilarated
• Willis Reunion 2012 - Ramping Up for the Reunion 

Norma's Abnormal Environment

My special friend, Norma Pennie, from Savanna Club in Florida (the 55+ community where I go in the winter)  came to Virginia to visit me.  She is a real city girl from Boston where they pahk the cah (park the car).  This was her first experience on a farm!


She was here a whole week and we did not take a single photo with both of us - for whatever reason!  I even had my camera and my phone with me.  Ah, what photo opportunities we missed!!  This pic was in 2012.


We went to a caverns, out to eat at the Bluestone Inn, toured various farms, toured Singers Glen, and just hung out with family.  In spite of being a city girl, she fit in wherever we went.  What an easy houseguest she is!

The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is a little piece of Paradise with beautiful views in every direction.  

 Norma with neighbors, Lorena and Cheri, in front of their vegetable garden with a glimpse of Valley loveliness in the background.

Watching the milking and being close to her first cow with Lorena and Cheri.

Norma with horses.

Norma looking at 42,000 chickens.  There were 42,000 more in the house next door.

Maybe there were not many photos because we were caught up in living the moment!  I hope Norma will not find this to be such an abnormal environment when she visits again!

The Norwegians Come to Visit

My nephew, Levi, met a lovely gal named Jenny (pronounced "Yenny") during her one semester at the University of Mississippi, where he was in graduate school.  Jenny, her brother, Tommy, and his girlfriend, Britt Randi, came to Virginia to visit.  This was the first trip to the USA for Tommy and Britt.

Levi spent days planning so as to make the best of their two weeks here.  They went to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Monticello, and wineries in Charlottesville.  Then they came back to the "farm" near Singers Glen, Virginia.

We took them out for a "typical American/Mexican" dinner at the Jalisco restaurant.  Tommy, Britt, MaryMay, Jenny, and Levi.

 Maribeth and Philip May (my sis-in-law and bro)

It was Levi's idea to have an "America Party" in their honor.We counted 26 people there, a real house-full since we had an unexpected rain storm annd had to move inside, including the garage, for a while.  Sorry, we were all so busy socializing that we forgot to take pictures.  Jenny and Britt had never heard of a Potluck and fully intend to start this custom back in Norway.

Britt and Tommy

Levi and Jenny on the deck of Phil and Maribeth's new log home.

Jenny and Levi as seen from the loft.

Levi and Jenny

It was a pleasure to share our life in the USA with Levi's friends!

Free Shows

Wow, I get free shows for my ears and eyes every morning and evening here in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

I wake up to the sound of MANY birds singing outside my house.  The weather is nice enough that I can sleep with the windows open.  There are trees on all sides, which means birds of all types serve as my gentle alarm clock.  I kept thinking I heard a bell like a child would have on their tricycle and finally figured out it was a bird.  The blue jays screech noisily but are overcome by the variety of songs from the mockingbirds and others.  

I am thrilled that "my" beautiful gold finches are back.  They are so tiny that they can sit right on top of my most flimsy flowers that have gone to seed. I'm not sure how they sound but they are neon yellow and fascinating to watch with their incredible sense of balance.

My visual show comes in the form of my flowers that I've spent over ten years cultivating.  My goal was to look out every window and see flowers and that goal has been reached!  The interesting thing with flowers is that they are different each day as some varieties finish and others start blooming.

Below my bathroom window

These yellow lilies came up as volunteers near my front porch.

Grandmother May always planted Indian Blanket so these reminds me of her.

One of my favorites is Purple Balloon flowers because they bloom all summer.

 My very favorite is hydrangeas as they, too, bloom most of the summer.  This photo is from last year.  Last winter was a harsh one so they haven't started blooming yet.

Last week just at dusk a doe was eating grass in the field (not a lawn because it only gets mowed every month, unlike a lawn that gets mowed every week) in front of my house.  She was closer than the width of a football field.  I was on the deck the first evening and stood very still.  She would eat, look at me, move closer and eat some more.  Then, without warning, she bounded effortlessly across the fence into my neighbor's trees.  Sorry, there are no photos because it was too dark.

As it starts to get dark, the light show begins.  I have never seen so many fireflies in my life!  During my first week here I got up during the night and thought there were laser lights outside.  It took me several minutes to realize they were fireflies because, not only are they skimming across the top of the grass, they were also as high as the tallest dark trees in the background.

I will never cease to appreciate the wonderful free shows that Mother Nature furnishes each day and night!

p.s.  I got a surprise visual show last evening.  I looked out my window to see four small skunks huddling together as they walked down my driveway.  Needless to say, I stayed quietly inside!

Driving Ms. MaryMay

MaryMay cannot manage driving the 900 miles to Virginia and back to Florida.  So, I fly someone down to drive me back or vice versa.  For the driver, it's a nice free trip for a tiny vacation!  This year I flew in Levi May, my 24 year old nephew who just finished graduate school at Old Mississippi.  We had fun playing a bit in Florida and Levi helped me close up the house.
Much to my surprise we left promptly at 6:15 a.m.  Levi was motivated to leave early because he had a chance to see his cousin, Lauren, who who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Having the kitty cats makes the trip a little more complicated.  We have learned that driving straight through is just too difficult.  I've also learned to find a pet-friendly motel where you can back the car right up to your door.  Once Pepper gets through her round of carsickness, I let both cats out of their carriers.  They ride quite well, sleeping on "Mommy's" lap.

Levi had come to drive me up two years ago and was

excited that he found his Peach World again!  He bought some fresh peaches and some jam for his dad.   I was impressed that he could take such a good "selfie" photo!

My next challenge is to find someone to drive me back to Florida in the fall.  However I've learned not to stress over it because I've managed to find someone willing to "Drive Ms. MaryMay!"

Indian River Lagoon Wildlife Boat Tour

The weather was a perfect 80 degrees with a slight breeze and sun, but not blazing sun.  Couldn't have been better for an outing with my Red Hatters.  We went on an Indian River Lagoon Wildlife Boat Tour.

The highlight of the trip was on the way out and back when we were surrounded by dolphins.  There were small schools of jumping fish, which were "breakfast" for the dolphins.  What a show!  There's just something special about seeing animals in their natural habitat.  I was so involved in the moment that I didn't take any photos.

Anyway, it was a delightful day!

Back to Blogging.....SOON

Yes, friends, your computer is working fine.  It's true that I haven't posted since last July.  Just lost the wind in my sails for blogging.  I plan to get back in the groove soon.

I am still adjusting to life without my dearest Edmond........

Thank you for reading.  I am pleasantly surprised to find out all sorts of people are (or were) following me.

On Mother's Day, the service was led by women in my church.  Our circles (small women's groups) are each named after a woman of the Bible.

  I was "Lydia" (the name of my circle.)  

 We were in all three services, which included about 500 people. 

I was exhausted by the end!  I have a new appreciation and understanding of how ministers feel by noon on Sundays!

I HEREBY DO DECLARE THAT IT IS MY INTENTION TO GET BACK TO MY BLOG THIS SUMMER.  SO CHECK BACK IN A MONTH OR SO.   

p.s. I look forward to hearing from you, too!

The Wings Won --- Levi Lost

My nephew Levi, a friend, and I went to a local wings place called Billy Jacks Wing Shack in Harrisonburg, VA.  Levi wanted to try the wing-eating contest so he could win a free tee shirt.  All the way to town, he kept talking about how pain is only temporary and he had done it before.

What an experience he had and we'll be laughing about it forever.  You have to eat 6 wings within 6 minutes, then wait 6 minutes before you take a drink of anything.

 
They told us that people have had to go to the hospital and some have passed out so signing a waiver was required.  You will also note the rubber gloves to be worn when handling the wings. 


First, Levi got some napkins ready.  The last time he made the mistake of touching his eye and suffered greatly from the hot sauce.

OK, let the games begin! The timekeeper started the clock. Doesn't Levi look confident and determined?  

My friend, Jay,took 2 bites and had to quit!

Young Levi dug in.....

 Then the heat started getting to him and the tears began to stream down his cheeks...

After the third wing, the truth set in that he simply could not take it any more!

 Poor Levi.......the HOT wings won.  He even used napkins to wipe his teeth and mouth as he sought relief.  He suffered the rest of the night with burning lips and an upset stomach.  Thankfully, he was able to laugh about the whole ordeal! 

(Ah, weren't those the days when we were young and foolish....and all for a FREE tee shirt?)

The Pressure's On

My brother, Phil May, decided my decks needed pressure washing.  He did my front porch but we could see that all that looking down aggravated some neck surgery he had a few years ago.

The next morning, I stepped out onto the deck see if I might be able to help.  I couldn't start the gas powered washer but I could run the wand.   How could it be so easy for Phil to start it --- it's that male brute force that helps!

I  was in my housecoat but decided I was already wet so would continue working for "just a short while."  Little did I know that Maribeth, my sister-in-law, and I would work the rest of the day on this.  

I'm going to embarrass myself here but will tell you anyway.  My cousin, Bill May, is the grand master of turning the most mundane event into a MAJOR Paul Bunyan tale.  He gave this account of the day:  "I stopped by in the morning, and there was Mary, pressure washing in her nightgown.  Later, I stopped by and not only was she still in her nightgown, she had added a sweatband.  At least it was color coordinated with her nightgown."  Bill, that was a housecoat, not a nightgown!

Maribeth was quite a trooper.


The deck hadn't been cleaned in a few years and needed it!

The next day I dressed appropriately for the job.  The third day, I got smart and wore my rubber knee boots rather than standing there in wet shoes.

The sealer will follow but not yet because it seems to shower every day.....one of these days we'll get 'er dun! 

Thank you, Phil and Maribeth for all your hard work and for putting on the pressure!

Celebration of Graduation

The Foersters have been our dear friends for years and we shared many holidays with them  Today I felt honored to be invited to the party for Emma's graduation from high school  

Mrs. Angelil (they always call me that and I love it!)  with Claire and Emma Foerster --- her girls!

Special Friends --- Robert, Claire, Emma, and Beth Foerster with MaryMay Angelil.  

Claire is studying Criminal Justice at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) in Richmond and Emma will be studying art at Bridgewater College this fall.  Congratulations on great accomplishments by two smart girls with two very smart parents!

My Birthday at Bar-B-Q Ranch

I thought I was going to be alone for my birthday today but my cousin, Stashia May Kline, saved the day when she invited me to lunch.  My brother, Philip May, unexpectedly  joined us but I forgot to take a photo including him. 

I prefer to eat at local places wherever I am so after racking our brains, we remembered the Bar-B-Q Ranch.   

 

This place has been there about as long as I've been alive so it's an appropriate place to celebrate my birthday.

Barbeque, fried chicken, fried pickles, sweet potato sticks, and reasonable prices are still there.  It even looks the same, inside and out.....ambiance, not exactly, memories, YES!

 
They're also known for their collections of thousands of porcelain pigs.  They used to have those little speakers but will still provide curbside service if you turn on your headlights and blow your horn.  How quaint is that!

MaryMay Angelil and Stashia Kline sitting on a pig (bench).

Happy birthday to me, myself and I at the Bar-B-Q Ranch in Harrisonburg, Virginia!  (No I don't get a kick-back for this blog post!)

p.s.  I really appreciate all the cards, calls, FB wishes and email cards!!  Thank you!

Levi Leaves for Europe

Well, today was the day...my 23-year-old nephew, Levi Walker May, left for 55 days in ten countries in Europe.  I was honored that he allowed me to share my extensive travel experience with him and that he listened to almost all my suggestions.  He was determined to take only one backpack (impossible for a female!) and much to my amazement, he did it. 

Oh, how I wish we'd taken a photo of all his items laid out on the coffee table and the steps we took to fit everything in.  It was with much finesse that we brainstormed, culled, and got things packed in an orderly fashion.   

Unfortunately, it was too large to be a carry-on.  His dad, Phil May, suggested adding Velcro bands to make sure that all the backpack straps didn't get caught on conveyor belts. 

  Measuring the Velcro

Oh, no, the Velcro stuck too soon.  That stuff is STRONG and didn't come with an undo button!

 

The famous Velcro bands securing 

the backpack cover.

I was impressed at the spreadsheets, etc. he had made for his trip itinerary and documents.  He's flying to Dublin, where he'll meet 2 buddies.  They'll be flying to Amsterdam, where they'll join their bus tour of 5 countries.  He'll then be going to Norway, Turkey, and Greece.  His final step is a two-week graduate course in England.  

 

Aunt Mary, Levi, and his mom, Maribeth,
at Reagan National Airport

Bon voyage, Levi! (I hope he will heed our warnings about safety.  He can be such a trusting soul sometimes!)