Archive | December 2010

Friends – a rainbow between two hearts!

Dec31

I have been thinking about what I wanted to say in this post for a couple of days.  Then, I read a quote on a picture this evening that I decided was the perfect way to start it out.  “Friends – a rainbow between two hearts!”  PERFECT!  Exactly what I wanted to say – too bad I didn’t come up with it myself, but that’s OK!

The reason this topic was one I wanted to write about is that I just spent a lovely evening with a few of my old high school friends and it brought up so many emotions and memories that I just had to write about it.  But, the strongest driver was some sad news I received during that evening.

Let me step back a little before I go into my main point.  Last April – 2009, not this year’s April – I schemed with a couple of old friends to plan a reunion of sorts.  A bunch of us had reconnected on Facebook and really wanted to see how many of us we could get together to share an evening.  Several of those still in the area made it and it was so much fun!  I hadn’t seen any of them in many years and it was so good to catch up with them.

We agreed it was something we should do more often because life is too short to miss out on being able to spend time with people you care about.   We didn’t need anything to cement that thought, but shortly after that evening a horrible accident did just that!  One of our classmates – one who was there that evening – was killed in a car accident!  Then, this year, we lost two more classmates to cancer within a couple of weeks of each other.

I went home for Christmas this past week and the trip was long enough to be able to plan another get together.  Since it was a holiday week and a week night (we planned to have dinner on Weds), not as many could join us, but it was still so special.  Good food, great conversation, wonderful company – very relaxing and enjoyable!  There were five of us for dinner (plus a hubby that added some much needed diversity), including one that wasn’t at the last get together, which made it even more special.  The conversation took many different paths – one was remembering all the classmates we’ve lost, which is sadly quite a lengthy list.

So, now on to the main point I wanted to discuss.  As we went over the list of classmates we’ve lost, a name came up that I hadn’t heard in these discussions before.  I actually was planning to ask Margaret at some point during the evening if she had heard anything about Cathy over the years – if anyone would know, Margaret would.  Before I got to that question, Margaret added Cathy to the list of classmates we have lost!  I was in shock!  Even more so, when the details revealed that Cathy died of a heart attack at the age of 36 – about 18 years ago!  The news crushed me – I wanted to talk more with Margaret about Cathy and her life, but just couldn’t – I will at another time.  So, the main point of this post is to honor Cathy and our friendship from long ago.

Cathy was not in my life for very long – not compared to most of my other school friends, most of which I knew since kindergarten right through to graduation and some beyond that – some I stayed connected with on some level ever since.  But, she was an important friend – one who meant a great deal to me – one I wished I hadn’t lost touch with.  Not that all my friends aren’t important and mean a lot to me, but Cathy came at an awkward time in my life when I really needed a friendship exactly like the one we had.

Up until the fifth grade, I lived in town and went to elementary and grammar schools in the Village of Albion.  Then, we moved out-of-town and just across the line that separated those students who went to school in Albion and those who went to school in Waterport.  I spent the fifth and sixth grades in Waterport school – still the same county and school system, but a country school with one of each grade from kindergarten through sixth grade.  Then, we went to school in Albion from seventh grade on.  I was a shy, quiet young girl and found myself having to make all new friends in a new school.  Luckily, it was a small class and I did make a lot of really good friends that I stayed friends with into high school and beyond.

But, Cathy became my best friend – we were inseparable!  There weren’t many weekends that I wasn’t at her house or she at mine and nothing got planned without considering how Cathy would fit in the plans.  Some of my fondest memories were of us laying out on a blanket in my back yard making up stories about the clouds based on their shapes and what they looked like.  We’d spend hours and hours talking and reading teen magazines and playing 45′s on my portable record player.  Our favorite song was “Sugar, Sugar”, by The Archies.  My 45 of that song had a nick in the record and it would get to that nick and “skip” — it would go “Aw, Shi…..”, instead of the full “Aw, Sugar…” - we’d let it keep skipping over and over and over and we’d laugh and laugh until our guts ached!!!!  We’d dance and sing to the songs and pretend we were famous and talk about all the teen heart throbs like they were our closest friends.  We wrote short stories together that documented our fantasies and they always included situations where Bobby Sherman, Davy Jones, David Cassidy, or some other teen idol were our boyfriends and we’d travel to foreign places, like Paris and Rome, with them.  Sometimes the fantasies were based in London, where we were friends with and dated various members of The Beatles!   Oh, how I wish I had kept those stories — they were pretty good!!!  hahaha

I have a lot of pictures of Cathy, but most are packed away and not scanned.  But, I do have a few scanned and available to share here:

This is Cathy at a party at my house – 1969

Cathy and me at a slumber party at my house – 1968

Cathy and me dancing at a birthday party at my house – 1969

How’s this for a friend – I’m holding Cathy’s hands behind her back while Beth (who has sadly passed on, as well), holds her hair and guides her head into the water to bob for apples!

Cathy and me dancing at another party in 1969
(I just realized – she must have really loved those plaid pants – she’s wearing them at at least two different parties!  We won’t mention the plaid pants I’m wearing!!!  hahaha)

Cathy and me – slumber party 1968

When we moved on from Waterport school to the high school, we were “candy-stripers” together (a school club of girls who wore red and white striped pinafores over white dresses and volunteered at the hospital) and stayed connected as much as possible.  But, we weren’t in a lot of classes together and after a while it got so we only saw each other outside of school.  Life took Cathy down a different path than it did me and she moved to Canada in our early high school years.  I lost track of her.  I’ve thought of her so much over the years and wondered how she was and where life took her.  I tried to contact her parents a few times, but was never able to connect with them and find out anything.

I understand from Margaret that she finished school and went on to college!  I look forward to hearing more from Margaret when I can and perhaps even looking up her sons, who I’m told live near our home town.

I am deeply saddened by each of the classmates we’ve lost – some by senseless accidents, some from cancer or other illnesses, one by suicide, and one who was murdered by her own son.  All were friends through the years – some closer than others – and my heart breaks for each and every one of them.  But, the news of Cathy was especially devastating for me.  Maybe because we were so close – even if only for a short portion of our life times.  Maybe because I have felt a sense of loss over the years due to losing touch with her.  Maybe because I’m finding out nearly 20 years after her death and I feel like I should have known long before now.  Maybe because I knew she had a rough childhood and it just doesn’t seem fair that her life ended so early.  The reason doesn’t really matter.  What matters is that I keep her memory alive and that I continue to cherish the time we spent together all those years ago.  What matters is that I don’t lose touch with other friends and keep those important connections solid for as long as we can!  Life is short……and precious……spend as much time as you can with those who mean the most to you — family and friends — hold them dear, for they may be gone in an instant!

Cathy – 1970 – Rest in Peace, my friend – I will always remember you and there will forever be a rainbow between our hearts!!!

Baby, it is cold outside!!!

Dec15

Twenty-six years ago, I traveled to Sanford to visit my soon-to-be in laws over the Christmas holiday.  It was fun going back to snowy Albion to tell everyone that I ran around on Christmas day in short sleeves and no coat!  The weather was amazing!  We moved here the following June and I took great pleasure in writing letters and calling my family and friends throughout the winters that I was experiencing warm, sunny days while they were being bombarded with snow!  Yeah, we had a few pretty cold days and maybe a couple of flurries and the occasional ice storm, but, for the most part, the winters here were pretty incredible!

What happened?  The last few winters have been brutal – albeit only for a couple of months (except this past winter when we had a major snow event three months in a row).  I woke up this morning to let the girls out and it was 10 degrees – TEN DEGREES!  And they are predicting snow tomorrow – in December!  We usually don’t see any snow here until January!

Yeah, I know – I’m whining about some cold weather that probably won’t last terribly long and I was begging for it to cool down when it was so incredibly hot this summer!  And after all, I grew up in the Buffalo snow belt – I know cold and I know snow and this really does fail in comparison!  But – IT IS COLD!!!!  Maybe my northern blood is finally thinning out to where I can’t take the cold anymore!  Maybe I feel cheated because I got so used to the mild winters that the last few (and, so far, this one) are letting me down!  Whatever the reason, I can’t help but scream out — IT IS COLD!!!! 

Stay warm, my friends……and for those of you in good old Albion, where the temps are in the single digits and you’re buried in record snow falls, all I can say is:  Hey, it is still warmer here than it is there!!! 

Temple Review – A Christmas Carole

Dec3

I had the best time today!!!!  I had a really good morning at work and then the day moved from “good” to “great”!  My group at work and a few other special guests (17 of us) all went to lunch at Sabatino’s and then attended the Thursday matinée performance of A Christmas Carole at the Temple Theatre.  Lunch was filled with good food, great conversation, fun and laughter, and sharing.  If it had ended there, the day would have been perfect.  But, it didn’t end there – it went from “great” to “amazing”!

Temple Theatre’s A Christmas Carole is an original musical adaptation of the Dickens classic story of the magic of Christmas.  It is filled with dancing, singing, ghosts, and, of course, Mr. Scrooge!  The mix of traditional Christmas Caroles and new original songs written just for this production warms the heart.  It is a fun-filled show that will appeal to all ages.

Terry Schwab does an excellent job of bringing the grouchy old Scrooge to life.  He looks mean and weighed down as Scrooge goes through the beginning scenes with his “bah humbug” attitude towards life and, in particular, Christmas.  Then he is light as a feather as he frolics with the people of his past during his first ghostly visit and when he completes the three ghostly visits and transforms into the happier, more charitable Scrooge.  And, he is delightfully funny at both versions of the legendary Mr. Scrooge.

Chris Wright is always a delight when he appears in a Temple Theatre production!  But, he is fantastic as Scrooge’s happy-go-lucky nephew, Fred.  He steals just about every scene he is in with his whimsical song and dance routines and animated dialogue. 

Steven Moore has a short, yet extremely memorable appearance as Jacob Marley.  His booming voice, chain covered body, and ghostly appearance give him a menacing presence.  And then he breaks into his musical number that provides Scrooge with a view of the nightmare that is his future if he doesn’t heed the messages of the three ghosts that will visit.

Temple’s own Michael Brocki plays Bob Cratchit with the trademark child-like appeal he brings to all the characters he portrays.  I only wish he had more stage time in this one!

The rest of the cast did an amazing job, as well.  The vocals and dancing were a joy to behold.  The ensembles meshed together perfectly to create an atmosphere that would be thoroughly enjoyed on any stage, anywhere!

This production is touted as a new Temple Theatre tradition – it was presented last year at this time, again this year, and I hope will continue for years to come.  Those who attended and enjoyed it last year will find it even more enjoyable this year – I sure did!  If you think it will be the “same ole, same ole” – just a repeat of last year’s show, think again!  There are new songs, new costumes, new sets, and new actors in some of the roles.  If you are worried that the changes might ruin a good thing, you’d be wrong again!  The changes are subtle improvements that bring more fun and enjoyment to the show.  And, for those who didn’t see it last year – what are you waiting for?  Take the family and experience the magic of Christmas in this wonderful production.

Want to go?  You’d better hurry — the popularity is resulting in tickets selling like hotcakes!  I’ve already got my tickets to see it again with a couple of friends at the final matinée on the 19th and I can’t wait!!!

The remaining show times are:

December 3-4 at 8:00 pm

December 5 at 2:00 pm

December 9 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

December 10-11 at 8:00 pm

December 12 at 2:00 pm

December 16 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

December 17-18 at 8:00 pm

December 19 at 2:00 pm

Airports can be entertaining

Dec1

I traveled to my Mom’s for the Thanksgiving holiday.  I flew up on Weds – the busiest travel day of the year – and back on Monday.  I had a wonderful time.   Just a month ago today, Mom had her second hip replacement surgery (the first was two and a half years ago).  She got home from rehab on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, so she had only been home a few days when I arrived.  She had a rough time with the surgery and rehab, which followed many months of agonizing pain – she’s had a tough year!!!  But, she was doing remarkably well – still slow and unable to do most of her normal routine without assistance or taking longer than usual, but she is getting around with a walker and doing a LOT better than I anticipated!  We had a great visit!  I am so glad I went up for the holiday!

The traveling part was rather event free – no long lines (even on Weds morning), no flight delays, no rough weather, no drama, and no one touched my junk!  It would have been very boring…..if it weren’t for the people in the airport!  I love to people watch – especially in airports – I’m always amazed at how people act when traveling and wonder if they act that way all the time or if there is something about traveling that brings the bazaar tendencies out of them!

A few worthy of mentioning from this trip:

  • This actually happens most trips – not sure why I always seem to get behind someone like this in the security line!  The requirements at airports are well publicized and the brunt of many jokes, cartoons, late night talk show banter, etc….so, why is it that there is almost always someone who comes totally unprepared for what they will encounter?  Case in point – this trip wasn’t the first time I’ve been behind someone who chooses to wear something on their feet that is extremely difficult to take off and put back on – holding up the line while they struggle!  This time it was a young woman who wore THIGH high leather boots – yes, thigh high – they were skin-tight and went all the way up to just inches from her – well, you can guess how high they were!  She struggled with the zipper, then couldn’t get them off and needed her travel companion to help her pull them off, and then after passing through the metal detectors - instead of grabbing them and moving on to one of the benches at the end of the conveyor belts – she stood there struggling to put them back on and getting herself all situated – holding up everyone’s bins from getting through the scanners behind her!  Come on!  I wear the easiest shoes to slip off and on and I STILL grab my stuff and move out of everyone’s way before I put them back on and get all the stuff I had to take off and out of bags back where it all belongs! 
  • While on my lengthy layover in Baltimore – after I stopped in at the great little seafood restaurant that specializes in Maryland crab cakes and had a delicious dinner of crab and shrimp – I watched a big guy standing out in the main aisle way doing the “I’m so important, I have to be on the phone every second” dance.  He had a bluetooth or something else that made him hands-free with no sign of where the phone was!   So, he was pacing back and forth, talking loudly, laughing with great animation, waving his arms around for dramatic impact, and basically just making sure everyone in the airport knew he was there and what he was doing!  Since his phone was hidden, it made me think that not all that long ago, if someone was acting the way he was acting in public, people would have stared and laughed or avoided eye contact or went out of their way to not get too close to him — all because he would have looked like someone who needed help from some guys in little white coats!!!  hahaha  But, everyone just passed him by like he wasn’t even there — I’m sure that was much to his disappointment, since it appeared like he really wanted the attention drawn to him! 
  • There was also this woman who was waiting for the same flight I was waiting for who ALSO wanted to be sure everyone knew she was there – and that she left her pizza in Chicago!  She constantly paced around the entire waiting area or stood wherever she could easily be seen by everyone.  Whenever someone from Southwest passed her and said the polite “how are you?”, she would say very loudly and disgustedly, “Not good at all – I left my pizza in Chicago and I’m not too happy about it!”  Apparently, it was some special deep dish pizza from a famous place.  If someone accidentally made eye contact with her (and we all soon learned to try hard to not let that happen) she would say, “Can you believe I left that pizza in Chicago?  I’m so upset!”  And then she got on the phone and loudly told someone all about it!  I got on the plane pretty quickly and sat in one of the front row seats.  When she got on, the flight attendant greeted her and she told him all about it and then I heard her telling another attendant further back all about it!  For pity sake – please get that woman a pizza!!!!

Those are the ones that stood out the most for me this trip……but there are always some that give me reason to chuckle to myself, just as I’m sure someone is chuckling over something I do while I’m sitting there, as well!

If any of you are traveling over the upcoming holidays or for other reasons, I hope you find joy in the free entertainment that is provided by all your fellow travelers!

Happy Holidays!