The Dackel Princess

Friday Five

This weeks Friday Five has me looking back, over the years, at all the time spent with members of the graduating class, at Falmouth High School in 1976.

I was born at the mid point of November in 1958. Back then you had to have turned 5 by the first week of that month, or they held you out a year. I had gone to Mrs. Marshall’s Nursery School with so many of my classmates, yet when school started, I was held out a year! Talk about miserable. I could read some and write and when all my friends went to school I was at home.
The following year I did start school, and really, I had a blast with the kids in my grade and as we went forward, I settled in, but I also managed to keep track of the grade ahead of me.
In High School, I fell in love with a classmate in the next class. We became inseparable. Like Frick and Frack. My only problem was that we wanted to get married, but I would have another year left of school. So, that summer between my Sophomore and Junior year, I took four courses at Summer School in order to have all the credits I needed to skip ahead a grade. I actually loved Summer School, and I think I learned more. I had wonderful teachers, and class size was just a few kids in each class. At the end of the Summer of 1975, I entered school as a member of the Class of 1976. Right back where I belonged!
My first husband and I married that December, and recently I learned that we caused quite the scandal, as my sister was told we “had” to get married. This made me laugh like crazy because although I did get pregnant a few months later, Mandy was born the day after our first wedding anniversary!
So many of these men and women, I have known well, since I was a baby, and many more became friends through Drama Club or the band. But for me, in the end, graduating with the Class of 1976 was just right!

Falmouth, Oh Falmouth

No matter how old I get, or how long I live in another place in this world, Falmouth, Massachusetts will always be my home.

It’s funny because growing up on Cape Cod, I just thought everyone had the ocean at their back door to be their own magical play ground.

I grew up in a house a mere five minute walk to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Surf Drive Beach. My mother claims I could swim before I could walk, and that from the moment I met the ocean, something calming happened to me.

I know I loved being at the beach. Mom would pack a cooler with drinks, Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Fluff sandwiches and chips. By the time we sat to eat the sandwiches, they were always a little sandy, but you know, I just didn’t care.

There were days the sun failed us, and I would swim anyway, until my lips were blue and Mom would drag me out. And the days it rained…I know I was unhappy because the very best spot in the world was either on the towel by the shore or in the water!

So my sister and I drove by our old house on Clipper Lane, and noted Mom’s Lilacs are all gone now. We drove to the end of the lane, and the fence I hit with my bike (when I was learning how to ride a two wheeler) was still there. I teased Mel that she really should have taught me how to use the brakes as well as ride my blue Schwinn Bike!

We drove along Surf Drive from Falmouth to Woods Hole. Some things have changed, but there is this amazing Cape Cod style home, with graying shingles and blue trim and shudders. All around this house were flower beds and a little further down the hill was a small pond. This house has been just the same all of my 57 years! It quite literally took my breath away!

There was also Nobska Lighthouse. I recall the sound of it’s fog horns, during my youth. I would lie in bed at the end of my day, as the fog rolled in, and listen to the deep groan of the horn.

You must get the feeling that I love Falmouth very much and that I always will. It is home. It is where I was married (both times) and where my babies were born.

Yes, how lucky I was, to grow up where the grass was always green, the ocean always welcoming, and the sand always felt warm against my skin.

I Did It All

It seemed that when we arrived back on Monday night, we took a vegetable and fruit inventory. I will only say that we had far more cucumbers, green beans and tomatoes than I knew what to do with.

First thing on Tuesday morning I started peeling, scooping out the seeds, and cubing, 6 quarts of cucumbers and then chopping the onions, green and red peppers and then set things up to sit overnight so that on Wednesday I could finish the Moon Glow Pickles and can them. Trust me, 6 quarts of cucumbers is a heck of a lot of them!!!

I also hand sliced 16 cups of cucumbers, and four onions to make Bread & Butter pickles. Those had to sit for just a few hours, before being finished and canned that day!

I prepared the green beans, blanched them and got them prepared for freezing. It still amazed me how many beans we had this year!

Wednesday I prepared 12 pounds of tomatoes and made them into juice. I also sauteed, 2 pounds of hamburger, 2 pounds of sweet Italian sausage, chopped onions, peppers, carrots, celery, and garlic, for the sauce. Then I set that to slowly simmer until the Spaghetti Sauce was all done. Some I left out for our dinner, but I froze 6 full meals of spaghetti Sauce for this winter.

Hubby came in on Wednesday with a basket of peaches. Four pounds of peaches. Our entire crop this year. He wanted me to make my Heavenly Peach Jam. So on Wednesday I got everything prepared, and then set that aside overnight to mellow and we canned it on Thursday.

Meanwhile, I did 5 loads of our laundry from the Savannah trip and packed my suit case for Cape Cod and my Reunion with my much loved and missed Classmates.

Somehow I got all the canning done, the suitcases packed, the car loaded and I was up at 5:30 AM on Friday and out the door at 6:30 AM! Whew!

As I drove down route 93 heading south, I realized how much I had accomplished! And I was proud that I actually got it done.

When I arrived at my hometown, Falmouth, Massachusetts, I was overcome with love for the place where I grew up, the people who shaped my life, and the beauty of the beaches.

Reunion Day 1

As we drove to Savannah, Georgia, we were in touch with our friends, Jim and Geraldine. They were flying in from Boston, and we were due to arrive at the hotel at the same time on Wednesday, August 3rd. We spoke, at about 2 PM and Jim jokingly said that the race was on, to see who got there first!

We did not speed, (honestly, Hubby would have, but I am the enforcer in the car!) and when we pulled up to the Savannah Hilton Desoto, I did not see them.

The hotel is a Valet only hotel and suddenly we had three of the guys out helping us unload the car, and put our suitcases on the cart. I also brought my pillow, because since surgery, my pillow is the only thing that makes me comfortable!

As we stood unloading…the shuttle arrived from the airport! Jim and Geraldine got out and I stood there waving my arms and hollering out their names.

We won!

So, here we are, standing in front of the most beautiful hotel, with all of our luggage. We went into the hotel to check in. Hubby and I decided to use some of my Hilton Points and we upgraded to a large corner room. It was amazing! We had a huge, King size bed, and a window facing the down town area, and the balcony facing the Savannah River and St. Johns Catholic Church.

Our room from the street.

Our room inside.

St. John’s Catholic Church.

After we settled in, (our friends were in the next room) our friends came over for drinks and snacks. Then we went down and registered with the Reunion staff.

Now here is a weird and I guess funny thing. When filling out the Reunion information, I typed my name (MARIBETH) then in a red marker, I wrote: Please note: my name is spelled, MARIBETH.

If you guessed that they misspelled my name then you are correct. I could not believe that anyone could possibly miss that note. There is not much that bugs me, but that sure did!

Their answer to their mistake? They took a black sharpie marker and turned the Y into a thick i . Next year I will send a short essay on the misspelling of names, and how ignoring a request can be hurtful!

That night we walked from the hotel to a gourmet restaurant, whose name escapes me at the moment, ad had a nice meal. One thing I found interesting was that we were constantly looking for Savannah food, and just couldn’t find any. There was an abundance of fast food, or gourmet, but not that good old Southern food that I was looking forward to.

After dinner we returned to the hotel, had a night cap and hit the hay.

More tomorrow, on what would prove to be the most interesting day of our Reunion trip!

I Am Really Here

You all probably think I dropped of the face of the earth. The truth is, that between appointments before our trip to Savannah and then an incredibly busy schedule driving to Savannah, touring, Savannah and then driving home, I found myself just exhausted. I mean, absolutely, beat!

The journey to Savannah, was all that bad, but I will tell you, I had forgotten what 1000+ miles were like to drive! We did break it in half, but even then I found myself sleeping like the dead.

Savannah was amazingly beautiful, as it was when I was here back in 1988. But, as in all places I return to now, nearly 30 years later, they have grown!

We decided to upgrade our room because of my Hilton Hotel Points, and our room was on an upper floor, with windows on two sides and a small balcony. Our room was a party room, for our friends and for us. The views of Savannah were amazing!

The arrow points to our room!

I will take time over the next day or so to write about our time there, but I will say that I did cause an International Incident. It was not intentional and actually, not even my fault, let’s just say it’s a good thing I didn’t end up in the brig.

Anyway, more stories to come, but right now, I need to get to bed! Night all!

Friday Five

This has been an incredible week. So many appointments, and so many things to freeze and put up from my garden. So here are five things from the week that was.

My MRI showed a few problems. One I will most likely need surgery on, but the other was good news! It seems the bone graft took and has grown the way they wanted it to.
My garden has been so fruitful this year. So many beans and peas and zucchini and summer squash. I’ve been blanching and freezing and canning everything I can before we are off on vacation.
I’ve done two full batches of pickles.

Bread & Butter

Moon Glow Pickles cooking.
One Bread & Butter and one Moon Glow. They both take a ton of cucumbers and since my pickling cucumbers came in all at once, we were very lucky!
I got my hair cut very short once again. Last time it took me three weeks to get used to it. This time, I am happily enjoying the freedom that short hair allows.
I finally know I am addicted to the Showtime series “Homeland”. Hubby and I were talking about our friend’s Great Dane and I said her name was “Brody”. Hubby burst out laughing. Her name is Bronty, Brody is a character on “Homeland”!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, enjoy the sunshine and the lazy, hazy, crazy, days of summer!

TBT: Baby MB

Here I am, maybe 6 months old. Not a bad looking baby, eh?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?
(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)

Oh, I think I would give it a 7. The garden is growing, the grandchildren are marvelous and healthy and life, in general, is very good.

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).

Growing up I had only one real uncle and his wife. But, there was my mother’s cousin, George and his wife Betty. I always called them Aunt and Uncle, and in the grand scheme of things, Uncle George and Aunt Betty were the Uncle and Aunt of my heart. My favorite memory of Uncle George, was when he walked me down the isle when I married Hubby.

Uncle George was the finest man I have ever known. And, I was so blessed to be loved by him. He was never too tired, or too busy, to be there for all of us kids. I sure do miss him!

3. What’s your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What’s your favorite food dipped in cheese?

Almost anything dipped in chocolate is good. I cannot pick one. Dipped in cheese? Well a nice crust piece of home made bread!

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.

Finding out the plate in my spine has moved! I knew it in my mind, but to actually have xrays confirm it, really astonished me.

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board…which board have you most recently encountered?

Bulletin board. As I prepare for our trip, I am putting lists all over the house for our dog/house sitter!

6. What’s your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?

Suffering and Faith in God (The book of Job)
Job learned that bad things happen to good people and bad people alike. The question is, will you continue to trust God in the difficult times? Is he worthy of our trust when we don’t know all the answers and our lives are filled with pain?

This has always spoken to me because of the difficulties I have faced in life.

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?

I love New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Oregon. Would love to go to Nevada too, as I have not been.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m off for another MRI today. Thank goodness I am not bothered by being in the tunnel. After the test is done I will see my Neurosurgeon.

This & That & Pickles

I was quite busy yesterday, canning the Bread and Butter Pickles, and then blanching and freezing another 2 pounds of beans. But, last night I was a bit smarter. I started to prepare our dinner before we actually canned the pickles. That way, when we were finally done, we could just sit down and eat! The previous night, I was too tired to even cook our dinner and that led to a quickie spaghetti meal. I was good and only had 1/2 a cup of pasta, but I was so hungry all night.

I’m in the kitchen, once again, doing the first stage of the prep work for Moon Glow Pickles. They need to be prepped today, and then sit overnight before we cook and can them tomorrow.

As we’re preparing for a little down time next week, I am still getting things ready for our live in Doggy Nanny. We are so lucky to have found her, so when we do slip away from the dogs, we know that they are taken care of, as well as our home.

Today is the day I look forward to each month. I go in, get my hair cut, and dipped into the fountain of youth, and for an hour and a half, I am pampered.

Hubby and I are really enjoying “Homeland”. We didn’t start to watch this great show until a week ago. We’ve been watching one episode a day, and last night finished Season #1. What a great show, with superb acting! My daughter told me that I would like it, and she was right.

The Week Ahead

This week will be slightly crazy for me. I have appointments nearly every day, and aside from getting my hair done, most of the appointments are not for pleasure. Ah well, they’re all necessary, and at least one of the appointments requires a long drive across the state, along a beautiful route. So, I guess that’s something.

After having short hair now for 2 months, I have decided to keep it this way. I like the ease of styling it, and at this point in my life, I’m sort of done with long curly hair and happy to have it short and cute!

It’s funny, when I was babysitting Savannah, she asked me if I was going to grow my hair out. I told her no, I was going to cut it again. “Oh Oma, you should have your hair long like me!” As much as I would like to please Savi, Oma has reached the point of wanting things to just be easy.

I blanched and froze 10 pounds of zucchini and summer squash, and 5 pounds of green beans. And today, with a little help from Hubby, I will be making Bread and Butter pickles. All of this will taste great in January! But, oh Lord, this is a lot of work.