Our Christmas message to you this year

 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." is the opening line to a classic favorite, "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. That man had a way with words. 2023 was one of those years for us. We had milestone birthdays and family gatherings and were reunited with family members after many years. We even had a vacation to New Hampshire and Maine coast. The worst of times was losing two loved ones, a sister and a niece. 

Cleaning out George's sister's apartment, we were again reminded the value of our earthly possessions. and the older we get, the more we notice just how much we have accumulated in our lives. Purging can be such a daunting task. Often things will take us down memory lane as we decide whether to let go of the tangible piece of a memory that we are holding in our hands. 

When I was purging some of our things this year, I stumbled across the copy of the rules for our first road rally in August 1975. We were given clues and drove all around Bloomfield area looking for specific landmarks--mind you, this was before cell phones, so it was all brain power. It was timed so that if you went too fast, you were penalized. The distance between clues was in kilometers and we had to convert them to miles. 

I love games and puzzles. This was a challenge and the stress of reading clues, converting mileage, and finding the landmarks tested our ability to problem solve and handle stress together, which led us both to doubt our upcoming wedding in November. Perhaps this should be part of pre-marital counseling. Despite the bad parts, we always, over the years, whenever we heard of a road rally, jumped on the chance to do it. Later we learned about letter boxing and had fun deciphering those clues, sometimes successfully and other times not so well--one time we even got lost in the woods. But we don't give up and we are proud to say that we won a scavenger hunt in Norfolk only a few years ago.

Why am I rambling on about this? Well, I was thinking about how much I love trivia and learning. I find myself on the internet on so many rabbit trails or down rabbit holes that I even googled the difference between those two terms. I mean who doesn't need to know that Borden's cow, Elsie, was married to Elmer (of the glue fame) and they had two children, Beauregard and Buella? Or that penguins take 10,000 4 second power naps (microsleeps) a day? Or that Karen is the name of a foreign language? Those are just a sampling of the trails I have followed.

I was thinking about our lives and how they are like a scavenger hunt. Some seek money, some fame, some love, some just fun. How we get there is our journey. We learn some things along the way, some the hard way, some just by our accumulation of lifelong experiences. 

This fall we took a 12-week Alpha course at our church (we highly recommend it). One week we were challenged to study this famous painting, "The Light of the World" based on Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me." It is obvious that Jesus is knocking at a door that hasn't been opened with the weeds growing on the outside, representing the unbelieving heart. The door has no door handle on the outside, only the person on the other side can open the door. I went on more rabbit trails and to not take up too much room, here, I'll give you these clues to think about in the painting: "the word is a lamp unto my feet", the apple tree, the holes in the hand, the stars on the lantern, a bat, so many things to study. I also learned the artist, William Holman Hunt, was an atheist earlier in his life. But mostly this picture touched us. Note he is looking straight ahead perhaps to his next stop. The greatest treasure to seek is to open the door and follow the light of that lamp, the word of God, to lead the way in our earthly journey as we follow trails we didn't expect to be on.

For George and me, as our lives go through the worst of times and the best of times, we always know that the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and will guide us when we find ourselves too deep in that hole or lost on a trail, not knowing which way to go. At Christmas we are reminded that Jesus came to the earth to light the way for us through his sacrifice. We wish you the best of times this Christmas. It doesn't always happen, but regardless of the times, our Christmas wish for you is may your door be open, your path be lit, and your hearts be joyful. Wishing you many Christmas blessings.

Our 48th "Panniversary" or 48 years of standing the test of time in the kitchen and in marriage

 

This pot has been in use for 48 years. It’s part of a set of six, plus lids, that have lived with us from the day we were married. We bought a Saladmaster set at the Big E a little over a month before our wedding day. It was our first big purchase together.

We remember my parents reaction when they found out how much we spent on them. They obviously questioned our financial decision and perhaps worried about our future. The salesman’s presentation was just too convincing. Over the years, we have seen others in our circle of friends replace their pots and pans a number of times. We pat ourselves on the back for the purchase that has remained faithful all these years. It was a good investment after all.

Now there have been times when we have burnt things in the pot and really wondered if we were going to get it clean again. We scrubbed and soaked and scrubbed and soaked. Some have been difficult stains that took time and patience. Usually a baking soda paste does the trick and the set still remains in great condition, not exactly just like new, but in very good condition.

As I was scrubbing one of these pots recently, I was thinking that this pot represents our marriage. It was all shiny and new and without any scratches in the beginning. The handle was a bright black, not dull like now. We all start out our married lives, all shiny and new.

Over time, there have been situations where things have not gone well, and work has to be put into scrubbing and making things as close to new as possible. Sometimes it means soaking and scrubbing and more of the same. A loosened handle may have needed tightening, which was easily fixed. The quality and sturdiness of the pots (our relationship) has helped them to remain functioning and sometimes it amazes me how well they have stood the trials of time. Sometimes we feel it’s a lesson to others, “So there! We made it after all.” And other times, you can look at the pots and say, "Wow, they don’t look like they have been through anything, except for aging, they don’t look like they have been in use for 48 years."

Today we celebrate 48 years of using these pots and pans. 48 years of making delicious dishes and some not so good dishes. 48 years of service to our family and friends. 48 years of cleaning up messes, 48 years of being strong and faithful. Today we will probably not be using these dishes as we go out to celebrate our 48^th  wedding anniversary, but they will always remind us of our first purchase and as it turns out, symbolic purchase of our lives together. 

Repairing broken pieces

Today I broke my gravy boat. I could just leave that thought there, but it's so much more. 

In search of something else in the not- often-used cupboard, a misstacked piece led to this accident. I was annoyed that I would not have been in that cupboard in the first place had "someone" not moved the jar I was looking for. But in reality, who misstacked the piece? That was undoubtedly me. So, let's put blame where it belongs.

There is no sentimental value to this gravy boat. It was not my Mom's or even a gift. In fact, I know I purchased it probably for fifty cents at a tag sale. I remember being excited to finally have a proper bowl for gravy. It's not necessarily a design I would have chosen, but I was the happy owner of a gravy boat. No awkward bowl to serve gravy in. It could be poured, or I usually put this little ladle I had in it. It is only used on one of the three major holidays, once and if lucky, twice a year. 

Now what to do? There are several options. It's a clean break. This one could be glued fairly easily, if there is such a thing. I do not enjoy gluing things. I end up with a few things awaiting the eventual "glue party", which rarely happens. I was so grateful when my teenage grandson was visiting and he had the patience to glue back a piece I had tried and tried to fix....it was Mary's hand in my nativity scene. It required propping it up in a precarious position. It wasn't an easy thing to do and he spent hours going back and getting it just right. I was so thankful. I thanked him by finding something else that needed gluing. 

Now, my poor granddaughter's patience is running out because I haven't fixed the teapot that her younger brother accidently broke. It's not an easy break--three pieces, one being a little chip. This was a tea set from when I was little and at first I was pretty sad, but I, as I have been doing a lot lately, said, "It's only things." How do "things" really matter in the big scheme of life? (And whose bright idea was it to give children real china to play with?) 

Usually, once broken, that's the end of it for me.  I have joined the throw away society. But the recycling part of me remembers that some people use broken china pieces in artwork. Who did I know that could use it and if not, where would you donate such pieces? I'm sure if I ask, everyone will think I'm crazy. My mind is one big hoppity, hop rabbit trail all day long. Don't follow me unless you want to take the scenic route of my brain.

My thoughts then turn to, "Was this worth something?" Had I bought it at the tag sale and discovered it was worth money, as much as I was delighted to have a gravy boat finally, I would have sold it in a heartbeat. I love small investments that have big returns. Today I flipped it over. 

In a google search, I didn't see the exact one, but others from this company range from $40 to over $100. Dang. Had I known, I would have tried to sell it. If I glue it, it will lose most of its value, except as a gravy boat.

So, the question is, do I glue it together or do I toss it away?

This thought leads me to life and relationships. How often do we have broken relationships and have the same decision to make?. Is it worth trying to glue it back together or should we walk away? Is there any value left to saving the relationship? Is it a clean break that is easier to repair? If it's not clean, will we put in the work to try and fix it? Will that crack always show and can we live with it? How many times do we put in the work to repair cracked relationships? At what point do we give up and walk away? 

I have some relationships with cracks in them. I have not given up on them. The scars are still there. Cracks are just a part of life. Often pieces with cracks have to be handled a little more carefully or differently. If only we were all perfect pieces with no flaws. 

If you are wondering, I will certainly try to glue the teapot together for the sake of my grandchildren who enjoy it. It will be hard but because of their joy playing with it, I will do this labor of love. It could also be passed down, if anyone cares. If I fail, I will look for another set online for play--more practical for younger children. As for the gravy boat, it's a clean break and a flat piece. Should be pretty easy to glue. I will leave it out and now I can have a glue party with two pieces to do now so they don't end up in a "to be glued" pile which gets put aside and put aside--like the collection of knotted necklaces that I have. Ugh! I need some good hacks on that one. 

Cracks, like our wrinkles, come with life. They are inevitable. Much as I don't enjoy gluing, relationships can be hard and it is necessary. I have my "glue bottle" handy. It's a special mixture of patience, forgiveness, understanding, communication, time, prayer, compassion, even humor but most of all, love. I know the sooner I use it, the better. There are some pieces that just tend to break easily. We learn to handle those differently. We may need to keep repairing again and again. (Matthew 18:21-22). 

I've seen more and more of our throw away society, not interested in helping the broken or taking the time to understand anyone who is different, especially those whose scars are visible. To quote a song, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." As for me, I'm going to get out the glue. Will you?

Part 7 Not wanting the vacation to end, but wanting the vacation to end

 That's how I felt. Was hoping for a "wow" factor on our vacation like some we have had in the past and didn't feel we got it. We could have stayed longer, but there was much to do at home, so we decided to take a leisurely day going home.

When I read there was a country store called, Mont Vernon (not Mount), I knew we had to stop by. It wasn't anything like Calef's. We were in and out in 5 minutes, but had to have George Washington pose for a photo op. 

Then, for old times' sake, we went home via the Mohawk Trail. It was a beautiful day for beautiful pictures. 

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The hairpin turn.

Last stop on the way home was one of my favorite country stores in Huntington, MA. I was so sad to see that it's going out of business. The owners are retiring and it sounds like the building is being sold but not the business. Bummer! I have to make it back one more time for the delicious wrapples and see what else is on sale that I want to buy before they close in October. And that was the end of our vacation. 

September 12, 2023

Part 6 Country Store, history and good food

The previous day things were found accidently. This was a day of planned stops. First, I had read there was a general store in Barrington, NH called Calef's Country Store. I love to check out country stores. Some are ok and some are great. I would put this on the list to return again. We had fun looking around at all the novelties and we did buy some yummies and did a little gift shopping too. Next door is another fun gift shop. 

Next on the agenda was a visit to a house that Mary Baker Eddy had lived in in Concord, New Hampshire. We ended up with an hour-long private tour. It was very interesting learning about this woman and I was very much in awe of what an influence she had with so many at a time when women were not allowed to vote. I had no clue of her popularity at the time. I took this picture (of a picture) of another of her homes and the people who came to see her as she stood on the balcony.

I wonder how the crowds could hear this woman in those days without microphones. Maybe they just wanted to see her, the miracle worker, in her eyes.

The docent said she wasn't supposed to talk about the religion of Christian Science, but just about Mary Baker Eddy's life. It was interesting the loyalty of her staff for so many years. Some, it sounded like didn't get paid, but that she took care of them very well. She was married three times, twice a widow. She had one son. I think I recall, someone else had to raise him for a while and at one point in time, they each thought the other was dead. She was told he died in the Civil War.

As I was trying to read up to refresh some of the things we were told, I found things that we were not told. The docents obviously want to present a respectful view of her. Not all had that view. Some call her a cult leader and I did question about her wealth when we were there. She became a millionaire, and the docent was quick to add that she did a lot of good with her money.  I am not going to take sides on this issue here, but there is some really interesting reading out there. Here are the other pictures of this home she lived in. 

We couldn't tour President Pierce's home as it was closed on that day of the week.

Same with the McAuliffe-Shephard Science Museum

We stopped at an apple orchard to pick up a few snacks.

This day we ate at the Common Man. I guess there are a few of them in New Hampshire. It was a delicious experience! George said he had the best pot roast he ever had--fork tender and delicious. I enjoyed French onion soup, which I ordered before I knew they had a cracker table where you could help yourself to crackers and dips. I didn't really need soup before my meal, but it was delicious. I had a vegetable and Asian bowl with jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables which also was really good. We wish they were closer. We will definitely stop at one again if we see one.  

September 11, 2023