My July 4th Column...John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

 

I write a lot about Abigail Adams. I am, and always have been, enamored with her life and the time period in which she lived. She was an extraordinary woman who raised a family often without John as he was serving his country. Money did not flow in. In those days politics had nothing to do with money or salary, it was all about the love of country…the new country. When John Adams, a portly man with a degree in law, began to court Abigail and then propose marriage, most folks (including her own family) thought she was marrying beneath her stature. He was a fledgling lawyer with his office in the front of his house in Braintree, as was often the case. Abigail saw something in John, and she, with advice from her good friend Mercy Warren, kept the home fires burning so John could take care of the country.

John Adams was away many years of their marriage, and it was while he was away at the First Continental Congress in 1776 that he met Thomas Jefferson. They instantly became good friends. They had so much in common, besides the powdered wigs! They both loved books and reading, of course. They both studied law, and they both deeply loved this new country, the United States of America, even though they had different viewpoints.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson helped write the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was the primary writer which was written between June 11 and June 28, 1776. It was written in Philadelphia on Market Street. It was written by five men who became known as “Committee of Five.” Fifty-six delegates signed it and it was ratified on July 4, 1776. That  date lives on in all of our lives!

Eventually George Washington became the first president of the United States with Adams as the Vice President. Everyone, in the colonies, wanted Washington to run for a second term, but he decided it was time to retire. John Adams, a loyal Federalist, ran against Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican. Adams won the election by three electoral votes. I find it interesting (and really wish we still did this) that Jefferson became the Vice President under Adams since he received the second amount of votes. How smart they were to put the most intelligent men in charge of a brand-new country.

They differed in their opinions, however. Adams believed in a strong national government; whereas Jefferson felt more power should be given over to the states. Amazingly enough, these two men worked side by side in order to benefit the newly formed United States. There was no time for bickering or for ego building. Our founding fathers did not do that. Their only concern was that of the country.

Adams and Jefferson ran against each other for the third presidency, but this time it was Jefferson who gained control as the President. Aaron Burr also ran tying Jefferson with 73 electoral votes. In the end, Jefferson took the Presidency and Burr the Vice Presidency. (Of course, we all know the Burr-Hamilton story, but that will wait for another column!) Following Jefferson’s win as President, he and Adams had a falling out which lasted for ten years until they both retired. Abigail went home to Braintree to set up John’s library after his loss. Eventually Jefferson went home to Monticello.

When I think about these two men, I have such deep pride. I can’t imagine sitting in a room in Philadelphia complete with powdered wig, layers of clothing and the heat of a Philadelphia summer to write our Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin, another signer, often wrote about the heat! Our founding fathers asked for nothing except a new government. We owe them such a debt this week.

Following their retirement, the two men wrote letters which are housed in the Smithsonian and some in Braintree. Both men became ill in the summer of 1826, but did not know that about each other. One of the most interesting facts of our country’s history is that both men died on July 4^th, 1826 on the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Adams last words were, “Thomas Jeffereson survives.” Jefferson died a few hours later.

The celebration this year is so much more than fireworks or swimming in the lake. (Although lucky you!) No, it is about men and women who gave and sacrificed for us. Let us always remember.

Happy Fourth of July to all of you.

Warmshowers Rides Again!

 

Faith and Noah are wishing our new frind, Norman, safe travels!

Warmshower guests have filled my backyard for many years. I first heard of warmshowers when I was on Ocracoke and one of the younger girls had traveled across the country on her bicycle. I was intrigued about that whole process and wanted to hear all about her adventures. I was also curious about the funding. How does that work travelling across the country (any country) on a bicycle? Where does one stay? How do you shower or cook? She explained it all to me.

Warmshowers is actually an organization that pairs bicyclists with hosts. The hosts can provide tenting in the yard or lodging, access to kitchens and, of course, a great hot shower after a long day (or week) of cycling. There is no money exchanged as it is completely voluntary and it is the right thing to do, if you can. I signed up right away.

My yard has been home to many cyclists over the years. Men, women, college students, young, old…and from every corner of the earth. One year a young lady pitched her hammock bed in my trees. I have had cyclists from Asia, Europe, and of course the United States. So, it was exciting for me to accept an evening of hosting last week from a man from Australia. Ah, that would be a first and the kids always love meeting new people. Not only was Norman from Australia, but he was coming on a unicycle. I was very intrigued. Who travels across the country on a unicycle? I had to look him up. Everything about Norman was interesting. He was 58 years old and originally from New Zealand. His goal is to bike around the world on his unicycle, and he is going for the Guinness World Record. I said yes, of course.

Norman arrived at our house around 8:00 in the evening just as we had started our campfire. It was one of those perfect nights last week, cool, cloudless and no wind! It was also our s’mores night! Aaron had already set up their tent, so we moved it over making a spot for Norman’s tent when he arrived. Just as we got the fire going, he popped into our yard with his backpack and his unicycle. Noah was completely taken with Norman. In fact, he helped him unpack and set up his tent. We gave Norman towels and soap for his much-needed shower, and soon he was back out with his under a twilight sky. He told us it was his first American campfire.

We had all the ingredients ready for our s’mores and asked Norman if he would like to make one. We were all amazed when he said he never heard of them or had one before. Well, that was it! The kids had a marshmallow on the roasting stick in a second. Of course, his caught his on fire, but he didn’t mind. I handed over the Graham cracker and the chocolate square. He loved them. Well, who doesn’t?

The stories kept on as we asked questions. We were very curious. He told us stories and we listened intently as his accent was quite Australian!! Finally, the embers dissolved into a few leftover coals, and time to call it a day. We said good night as Norman climbed into his tent.

The kids and I chatted for another hour before they settled down to sleep. By morning they were both up and ready to help Norman pack up. They were like little Magpies. Noah took Norman up to my welcome wall. He was absolutely amazed. He drew a unicycle and wrote about his adventure, so we always have a part of Norman in our house.

As he was all packed up and ready to leave, there was one more thing he asked me to do. I had to sign his logbook so he would have proof of his travels here. The logbook was thick and full of signatures from 153 days on the road. He left Australia on January 1^st. He said it would take him a full year to complete his journey. We waved and hollered as he took off down the road.

I can’t imagine riding a bike across the country, let alone riding a unicycle around the world. This was a great adventure for all of us. We will always remember Norman’s story.

We wish our new friend safe traveling around the world. We are cheering for him and for the Guinness World Record!

My pretty little purple house.

Spring peonies in my garden. 

I drive through this sleepy little town at night, and I am grateful I found a place to call home many years ago. What was I looking for? I remember talking to my friend, Ellen, what should I do, where should I go? She said to me, “You love your town, you love your community…move to town.” It took two years to find the perfect little house. I didn’t want to just buy a house…or an investment. No, that wasn’t for me. I wanted home with twenty-one pairs of Dorothy red shoes. I wanted home where I could rip off the old siding and look in amazement at the over 100-year-old siding still intact, still ready to be shown off with the right color. The right color, of course, was purple.

The house was good and solid and as I have said so many times, Randy and Shannon saved this house for me. I bought it on an early summer night over a grilled-out steak dinner at their home. I was so surprised at how quiet it was in the neighborhood. My sister said that I should never buy a house without seeing it at night…flushing the toilet, drinking the water. I did those things.

The next morning, I sat across the table from Randy and Shannon deciding how to buy the house. It was just the three of us. Randy brought out notecards. I wrote what I would pay, they wrote what they would accept, and we traded. I smiled. Exactly the same amount. Have I ever regretted this move? Not for a day, not for a moment.

This old house of mine is all the grandchildren have ever known. I think they all call it a magical faerie house, well, it is! This old house has celebrated Women’s potlucks, family gatherings, and neighborhood parties. It has also experienced sadness. Haven’t we all?  Luckily, the good times and stories layer over. Maybe I think of this house as more of a gathering place for friends and family. That is my hope.

Celebrations consist of many activities, but three of my very favorite events happen this week! First of all, in my neighborhood, we will be celebrating the beginning of summer at a neighborhood gathering at my house. Our quadrant has been completely enriched by the perseverance of Nate and Aimee Simons in teaching us that neighbors become friends and friends become family. Nate mentions this at every party. This Friday night we welcome the rites of summer with a Rock ‘n Roll into Summer party. Not only will we celebrate with food and laughter, but my good friends Pete and Ken will be here to play music and sing for us. Who doesn’t love music at their parties? We always bring food for the “blessing boxes” at the Episcopal Church. We also take care to check on each other, congratulate each other for the good food we have prepared, and as Nate says, bring us closer to family. We are welcoming two new families this Friday night. They have no idea how lucky they are to live here! I have chatted about this before. If you want some advice on how to build community, come see us, and we will be happy to share.

The Solstice celebration is here this weekend too. The first day of summer is on Sunday as is Father’s Day. My twins are already excited to celebrate with party hats and my year long collection of rose petals to strew across the yard welcoming the faeries into the garden. (It does work, by the way!) My boys all did this when they were young, and now all of the grandchildren have taken part in this fun ritual to welcome in Summer. The Solstice is such a fun celebration in many other countries even though it mostly passes us by. Let’s remember it…rose petals? Daisy petals?

Before I let you go, I want to give a shout out to Cahoots Community Center for hosting Angola’s Got Talent on Saturday night at the T. Furth Center at 6:00. The line-up is stellar. I go every year and I am always so amazed at the talent. Come support all the young (and young at heart) folks who will be singing, dancing, and playing music.

An ending thought: I own a picture by Brian Andreas which says, “The real reason we are here is to love each other and to eat each other’s cooking and say it was good.”

Glimmers

 

This weekend I had guests. Two lovely women who were once upon a time college roommates. They wanted a quiet little space so they could spend hours telling stories and a quiet little town to visit between their stories.

This, my friends, is the best part. When they were leaving, they shared their favorite memories of the weekend and here they are: billowing curtains in the bedroom (okay, I really love that one too!), little soaps on their towels, a quiet, sleepy little porch for their late night stories, the sweet smell of grass, the scent of French lilacs wafting through the open windows, a sweet purple house with good coffee, a thank you note featuring Miss Columbia and friendly folks when they went out and about. They loved it here.

After they left, and I hung out their sheets, I thought about things they didn’t even mention that I often worry about! Yes, I live in the house, the shower is downstairs, the floors creak. Those are the things guests must live with. The charm of our area, and the sweetness of small things were all that mattered. As I puttered through the rest of the weekend, I thought about this.

I am wondering if we really take enough time to love the small things. Some folks call these glimmers. The experts in mental health call glimmers the opposite of triggers. We all have those. Glimmers come and go so quickly, we often do not spend enough time embracing them. I try to pay attention to the above things my guests mentioned. I often say to Kathy, “Oh, how I love sleeping with my balcony door open and the curtains billowing.” Spring brings so many glimmers, and they are fast tracked and we can miss them if we are not watching or thinking about them. They are different from big events in our lives…weddings, graduations, birth of babies.

Stop for a moment. Go outside or even just look out the window. What do you see? The bursting forth of the first peonies. The color of the trees. The sound of children. Write down these small glimmers. Keep a notebook…maybe add it to your gardening book or your star gazing book or start a new one full of joys and glimmers.

My dad was into glimmers, although he didn’t use that word. (I don’t think it was invented then!) Nonetheless, he understood. Once, at the old farmhouse, the two of us sat out on the porch swing. It was my very favorite thing to do. The farmhouse overlooked Doc Headley’s fields with acres and acres of beauty. This was before the build up of businesses…just orchards and land. As we sat outside, he said to me, “Take it all in. Listen. Look. Pay attention to your senses.” We sat in silence, but it wasn’t silent. Crickets and bird song filled the air. The scent of the new mown hay wafted onto the porch. The colors of the land and the sky were breathtaking. The taste of the strong coffee I brought out as the screen door shut with a bang.

My uncle Dean understood. One year I flew to upstate New York to celebrate Labor Day with him. On that Monday morning, we got up early to do some photography of the lake features. Uncle Dean filled the thermos with coffee; we grabbed our cameras and off we went out to the boat and into the dawn’s light. It was cold and it was foggy. As we meandered around the lake, the fog didn’t lift. I shared my frustration with my uncle. “I can’t take any photos,” I said, “it is too foggy.” I was so disappointed. He told me to wait and be patient. He was right. Just as we went around the bend, we caught sight of a silhouette of a canoe with two passengers. All we could see were their shadows, but my uncle took the photo. When we were back at the house, he printed it and gave it to the neighbor whom he recognized. They framed it. Glimmers. Don’t miss them. Sometimes we need to forget the big picture and see the one blooming tulip in the garden.

In the year 1513, Fra Giovanni Giocondo, a Franciscan Monk, once wrote, “The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy. Take Joy!” As a new week unfolds, take the time to see the glimmers within your own joy.

 

Welcome to Summer!

 

Noah and Faith at the new Sheets Family Park.

I took Jonah with me to Charleston and return with the twins. The rest of the family will be traveling, but as Noah says, “We get to stay with Nannie in Angola with Dollar General and Dairy Queen.” Yes, those are two of their favorites! We arrive home to a garden that has nearly doubled under the watchful eye of Regan and Kathy. How could it grow so much in one week? I must admit I did miss my garden and I wondered, how did I ever leave every summer? I guess times change and home in the purple house and the white picket gardens is really my favorite place.

We quickly unpack and head to Dairy Queen as we have no food in the house, and they are delighted. This year I just have the two of them for the month of June. What, you ask, do you do with two grandchildren for a month in June? Oh my…what isn’t there to do? I feel like I have filled their dance card with so many activities, and I have. However, I save room for the proverbial quote from all children, “We are bored.” I have plenty of plans for that statement including a dusting rag! That quickly dispels any thoughts of boredom.

I love the fact that they want to visit the library before the grocery store. We head right to the Angola Carnegie Library looking for Miss Elizabeth, and find Miss Isabelle. We sign up for the reading program, fill our arms with dinosaur books and head out to Kona Ice just in time! Then and only then do we go to the grocery. My cart looks so different when the kids are visiting. I have to make a full shelf for snacks.

Every morning, just as I have done with all the kids, they wake up to my dining room chalkboard with their daily chores. It is the first thing they look at before they fill their bowls with sugary cereal and plates with chocolate cupcakes!  Shhh…don’t tell the parents. I also list our events for the day. They love doing the chores and then crossing them off the list. They are normal chores, at least I think so: bring down their laundry, take out the trash, recycle, and compost, fill the Oriole feeder, sweep the sidewalks, help water the garden, make their beds. Really, I don’t ask too much of the kids, and they always do their chores willingly although sometimes they trade with each other!

Steuben County offers so much for children in the summer. As I said, there are the library programs. The Angola Parks and Recreation provide the best camps for our children. There is something for everyone every single week this summer. We are signed up for soccer and backyard games! My kids love Tabitha and are happy to see her again. Thank you to our fabulous parks department…pig out in the park as well!

On Sunday we gather our towels and water bottles and go over to the new Sheets Family Park. I missed the grand opening, so this is my first opportunity to visit. It is just lovely…children running, playing, laughing everywhere. I must say for my two kiddos, the playground is a major win. They love every part of it! We are so appreciative.

It is important for children to have lots of free time too. I know I schedule lots of events, but I want time for them to enjoy picking strawberries and watching the stars come out. I want them to fill their pockets with worms and rocks and other little surprises out in the backyard. I want late night campfires with s’mores dripping chocolate and marshmallows all over their little faces. (That’s why we have showers!)

I want them to have time to watch clouds drift by, marvel at the hummingbirds, watch the garden grow. I want lots of time to read when the day is done and we cozy up on my bed reading book after book until we can’t stay awake any longer.

The children of my child deserve the best of me. Oh, yes, we have rules and those chores, but most of the time we are just together in this pretty purple house. I am the lucky one to have them with me. I know time is fleeting. This is the first year the older two girls cannot make a visit..but for now, the Littles are here, and I am in love.

Holly's graduation!

 

My lovely granddaughter, Holly.

Boarding a flight to Charleston is always full of family anticipation. This trip is no exception. I check in, hand over my luggage and head to the gate. I save a seat beside me as I have a traveling companion for this trip. Within the half hour, a tall young man comes walking my way…smiling. It is Jonah. How lucky for me to travel with him to Charleston. This trip is a bit magical as family members fly in one and two at a time for Holly’s graduation from high school. I was just here a few weeks ago for her role in “Chicago” and now with her high school closed up inside her yearbook, graduation is upon us with college looming in August.

Jonah is a great traveling companion. I often forget he is a college student and quite grown up as I say, “I have money for your snacks.” He smiles and pulls snacks out of his backpack. I also send notes ahead of time of checking in…silly, I know. He has flown for years and many times solo so he knows the drill.

Our seats are not together, but that is okay as I settle back with my new Abigail Adams book. I look around to see who else is reading an actual book. I spot one three rows up although I can’t read the title. The flight is a short two hours, and we are in Myrtle Beach with Abe waiting to take us to Charleston. We arrive to a house full of people. Is it a madhouse? Well, a bit…as you all know.

Friday dawns hot and humid, as is often the case in Charleston. The kids and I play Go Fish on the back porch as the house is full. Abe makes plates full of waffles, and everyone eats in stages.

This is what I love most about family gatherings. I love knowing that under one roof my family sleeps and eats and tells stories. It is all I am about and what I live for. All day there are games and conversations. I iron Holly’s gown and do odd jobs to help out. By 5:00 we are ready to head downtown. The graduation is at the coliseum as it is a huge graduating class. The twins take books to read as it will be a long night. We fill up two full rows of family wishing her well, cheering her on. When “Pomp and Circumstance” begins, I lose it I look over at Abe and Kristin…they are holding up pretty well. I remember when my boys were graduating many years ago, I could barely hear the first note, and I would just lose it.

We cheer for Holly as she accepts her diploma. My lovely little granddaughter. How does it happen that these children we love so dearly grow up? In a blink of an eye, they are graduating, getting ready for college, driving their own car, hanging out with their friends. I know it is the way it should be, but I choke up wanting them all to be small and running to my arms for hugs or games or just love. I still want that. Luckily, I still have the twins. They sit quietly through the whole ceremony. Faith and I follow each person on the list. Brianna sits quietly knowing that she will go through this in two years. She is also a beautiful young lady with her own dreams and wishes.

Following the ceremony, there is a sea of black gowns in which to try and find our girl. Finally, there she is…our graduate. I am so proud. I think of many of my friends going through this as well with their children and grandchildren. It happens. We know it does, but it never makes it easier. 

The party is the next day. We get up early with “All hands-on deck” as everyone has jobs. The party is here at the house which is now amassed with balloons and photos and so much food. We wear our best party clothes and are ready for the first guests at noon. I try to help keep the food trays full and the toilet paper in great supply!! Holly is happy. All her friends have come along with lots of adults wishing her well. We sit around and tell stories til late into the night.

My granddaughter is a graduate. I am a proud Nannie.

The circle goes round…for all of us..

Memorial Day

 

Photo of Miss Columbia by Jorge Daniel.

On this day I decide to head out early just to sit in the quietness of the morning on this Memorial Day. Today the early morning fog envelopes Miss Columbia with peace. I love sitting alone in this solitude. I do my best thinking during these moments. I know her stories so well. I love telling them. I love telling them to you, and this morning, I guess I tell them to myself as I watch folks meander down to the square. This scene is no different from other scenes across our land, but this one is ours.

I look up to the top of Miss Columbia. She is barely visible in the fog. Of course, she wasn’t always here. When Thomas Gale and Cornelius Gilmore arrived in 1837, it was just wilderness and wetlands. The center of town soon became the meeting place. Where else could you hear the news? Bring your horse and buggy or wagon to town, hitch them up to the hitching posts around the watering hole and go on about your business. The small wooden shops carried everything the early settlers needed…garden seeds, plows, material for dresses, jars of candy for the youngsters, and yes, the place to hear all the news. I would have liked this. I still like this.

Following the Civil War, there were rumblings about a monument. For a long while, it was just rumblings. Folks talked about it, and even a few tried to get it going. Then along came Jesse Carpenter. Jesse was a Civil War Veteran. He is remembered at best for writing a book, “The War for the Union.” This book, available to read at the Angola Carnegie Library, is a detailed historical account of Steuben County’s soldiers. Jesse’s book sold for three dollars with all the proceeds going towards a monument. In July of 1916, the Grand Army of the Republic petitioned the Steuben County Commissioners to finally build this monument. The dedication ceremony was held on September 13, 1917. According to newspaper articles, there were bands and speeches, and I even read once that folks camped out for three days in pure joy.

Under Miss Columbia are the plaques with all the names of the1,278 soldiers from our county. Every single one. When I give tours of the town, I always point out the role of women during this time also. As the Civil War progressed, the men left plows and farms, shops and businesses to the women while they were gone. It is our history, and these are our stories.

As I sit in the silence of this gray foggy morning, I think about all of this. I try to imagine life during previous times and the folks who built our town, our way of life. As I sit contemplating, the square fills up with those folks coming to share in the morning. I stay back in the shadows with my own thoughts. My grandfather and my uncle served, and I fiercely remember them on this day. My grandpa was only 16 during the First World War. He lied about his age so he could defend our country. As we remember, I look at all the small wooden crosses. This has been a tradition in our county for so many years. Once upon a time, the high school girls made paper flowers and walked down to decorate each cross.

As we move always forward in our own lives, how can we not remember them on this day? I listen for taps before I meander on home the back way. Home for me is my pretty little purple house built long before I arrived in this world, or any of you for that matter. I notice the deer have once again knocked down my Oriole feeder. I find it in the grass and refill the jelly luring the Orioles to come back! I notice also, as the sun finds its’ way through the clouds, that my peony bush has opened up on this morning. One of the reasons I bought my house so many years ago was the blooming peony bush, and right on schedule it bloomed this morning.

I go inside to make my morning tea…the sun is now filtering in through the windows, warming the house, pushing my freshly planted seeds out of the ground as summer has officially started. I go about my morning thinking about the past. We all should. 

This day will pass, but our stories will not be forgotten.