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...is back with me on Columbus Street after her stay with Uncles Mike and John at Mahogany Oaks. I found that each mile south on I-55 brought tiny steps of stress relief; but it was the hugs, love and time with my friends in Madison, MS and Covington, LA that pushed me a little further down that road. Having my Sam back with me was the topper. Huge Merci to Glenn and Bill, Bill's Dad Kelly, and Mike and John from BOTH Sammmie cat and I. Love to All-Laury and Sam
Heading south this morning after a week of focus on Mom, that I am guessing is going to continue after my return to New Orleans. No matter how old we are; our parents still see us as their babies. At least, that's the case with mine. I'm not sure it works the same in the other direction. This will always be the "Mom" that I see in my mind's eye. Love to her and the rest of my family that is here to support her and Dad through the struggles of the moment. I'm off, and may be out of pocket for a few days.
Most of my years in Cadrieu were spent there enjoying simple Christmas holidays on my own at the Chatette and with friends. We had some beautiful snows for the holidays...Christmas Card Perfect!
All of my recent Christmases have been in Ferguson. Change is on the wind. Looking forward to making more of these memories again soon!
Merry Christmas to all-
Lots of Love on Christmas and Always-Laury and Sammie Cat
Even before we had plans for the estate sale; I was wondering where my Cardinals Baseball Scrapbook was and if it was still around. I'd made it during 1966, when the Cards were World Champs. I'd been very proud of it growing up, but then brought it back to Ferguson for Dad to keep in his baseball room. Wandering through the rubble of the estate sale one morning, there it was just laying on the floor. I scooped it up. The binding was gone, but all the pages were there. I was interested in one page in particular-the autograph page. There they all were: Bob Uecker, Tracy Stallard, Julian Javier, Dick Groat, and my favorite-Steve Carlton.
One of the local car dealerships on the corner of Chambers Road and West Florissant, was having a promotion with the Cardinals there to sign autographs. I was standing in line at the autograph table waiting my turn. I see it like it was yesterday. Steve Carlton was at my corner. He dropped his pen. I scooped it up for him and he said: "Thank you." I was in love.
I took the book over to Dad to see one more time before I took it back to New Orleans with me. I left it with him and retrieved it the next morning. He told me how much he enjoyed it, but that there was one thing that really stood out to him: there were only two division back then and the team standings reports were really tiny. We also had a good giggle one more time over the fact that the Cardinals sent Carlton back to the minors and eventually traded him. I enjoyed seeing his meteoric rise to fame as a major league pitcher...just NOT with the Cards.
Everything changes, and not always for the best. There's that grand rationalization-it's just different.
Merry Christmas Eve to All!
I SO love Christmas Trees. Having my tree back on Columbus Street this season has actually been a double edged sword...no decorated tree this season at 411. It definitely adds to it not feeling very "Christmasy" here.
But, where there's a will there's a way. I've found myself enjoying the trees of others even more.
It began at Mahogany Oaks.
Mike and John do everything up with taste, class and splendor during the holidays.
Maybe it's all that wonderful friendship and still believing in Santa Claus that helps!
I wasn't sure if I'd find a tree at Kat's and Tom's this season, but I did. It's difficult to get really excited about Christmas and the holidays when you're dealing with the rubble of everyone's lives and 40 years on Elizabeth, but they succeeded.
I always enjoy going to their house during the holidays. We had a nibble beside the tree and caught up on next steps with Mom and Dad and 411. I particularly love that they always have a live tree.
There will be one more stop on the road home to see Glenn and Bill in Madison, MS. Last year's holiday trip brought beautiful pelicans. Funny, I don't remember their tree. We shall see and I shall share.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Here in Ferguson since Friday night, it's already been an interesting, busy and stressful trip. (You'll notice one of the bottles is missing from my box that I so carefully filled.) This year's theme is photos and booze!
What better place to fill my box, than the Wine Salvage Store in Folsom. It tops the list of spots to hit when I cross the lake to see Mike and John. Then, we wander next door to the Salvage Discount Grocery Store. Both places have amazing deals. I never leave disappointed...unless I discover later that something Mike bought was so good I wish I'd scooped one too!
On to wrapping and ribbons. Sometimes, my gang up here is just as happy with the wrapping and the boxes as they are with what's inside.
I may have just the box! Happy Holidays!
Prior to heading to Covington, Mike had asked me to bring a copy of my sheet music for Moon River for a project he was working on. I explained that it was a mess and that the cover was hanging in a frame at the Chatette, but I would. Sam and I arrived right on time, unloaded and got situated. She immediately burrowed under the bedspread. Mike and I went to go upstairs and there it was...the piano!
Of course, there's a story that goes with it, but lets just say Moon River never sounded better in America! We played. I struggled with a few Christmas tunes in the book Mike had bought. Dolly Parton's Hard Candy Christmas would be the one I'd have sat down to learn if there'd been time.
Mike told me his story and history with piano that I had never known before. How wonderful to NOW have a piano right there to enjoy! I teased him that if I had known, I'd have brought more music with me!
As you can see, there is a perfect piano place all ready to go. We envisioned Christmas Carols around the piano together, but then Mike pointed out how beautiful the sound carries upstairs on it's own.
I'm not sure who is more excited about this piano, me or Mike! Congratulations to the new addition to the Wilson/Edwards family!
WE are very excited!
...golden moments with friends
at Mahogany Oaks!
A great way to begin a trip when there is nothing
that can prepare you for:
There are just some mornings when no matter what I do, the light pulls me in. It seems to happen when I need it most. I am centered in that spot of purest light. Mahogany Oaks today...Ferguson tomorrow-I'm counting on this light to carry me and help me keep myself in the most positive place possible. I know there is peace to be found somewhere within all this running, going and doing. It may be just a tiny speck-but I'll find it.