We're having a great party tonight at the Blue Moon. It's sort of a Thank You all for a great year for the business and a celebration for putting the rough times in Harts Corner behind us. I hope folks realize that an Open House means they're supposed to greet, eat and leave. Miguel tells me I'm dreaming because people who can manage to stay awake will be here until midnight to toast the New Year in. And, of course, Miguel reminded me I have no liquor license and he doesn't want to have to arrest people on New Year's Eve anyway, so the toast will be with Cranberry-Apple sparkling cider.
We all had a mighty fine Christmas. Bethy Rose was so surprised when she saw the sleek, sliver bike Santa left her. She knew where it really came from as she whispered in my ear that Miguel had good taste in bicycles. She loved the books and clothes, too, but I'm was wondering how much longer I'll be able to pick out her clothes.
Miguel was very pleased with her gift to us; I wasn't so sure. With Leonard Skaggs help she made a welcome sign to place near the front door. One of those dated ones, like you see on old homes family members have lived in for generations. This one said: Home of the Kinkaids, Miguel, MM and Bethy Rose, 1966. I know she wants us to be a family real bad but this sign doesn't make it so. I just didn't have the heart to tell her this was adult business and she should butt out.
I've asked the folks here tonight to sign their names in this new notebook and write a little something about what they are thankful for, or what they are looking forward to, or what they wish for in this New Year. No, I'm not sneaking peeks at what they write. That would most likely put them off and they wouldn't write a word after their signed name.
But I will share their comments with you here--later. Right now, Leonard and the Piney Woods Boys are tuning up for my favorite song--Waltz Across Texas and my fella's headed my way with that special look in his eyes. I'd much rather be in his arms than talk to you folks anymore.
And I'll share some recipes for tonight's food, too.
Goodnight, folks.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
CHRISTMAS GIFTING
I, Jewel Tate, am working my fingers to the bone these two days before Christmas in a last minute rush to complete two of the gifts I want to give on Christmas Day. What with it being such a busy season at the Blue Moon, attending school and church Christmas programs, and spending some good times with Harold, I've found it a hard push to get my handicrafts completed.
I got the idea for these projects from Bethy Rose when she showed an interest in the quilted pillow covers I was working on during breaks at the Cafe. She's such an excited soul when she sees or hears of something unique to do or learn about. So when she said she wanted to learn to do the tiny stitches required to quilt, I was more than happy to teach her. We began with learning to cut out the pieces to make a block and then I showed her how to stitch them together. Then she moved on to putting the batting in between the blocks and a backing. So, we began the first series of blocks quilted to backing.
Surprised that she didn't choose all pink fabric, I was ever more pleased when she chose the colors of nature: blues and greens and a touch of tan. But I guess I should have remembered that she's growing up a bit each time I turn around and being in a stable home has changed her in many ways. She's such a happy child now, not that mousy, whisperer who first made our acquaintance with a cookie baking fest one Valentine's Day.
Bethy Rose shows a gift for making those tiny stitches so, over the past few months, she's done a few more blocks. As I said, she made enough for a panel. For a surprise Christmas gift, I took those panels, sewed on a pocket at one narrow end, pushed a dowel through and added a woven hanger to make a wall hanging for her new room. I just wrapped it up last night with a note telling her we'd start on a quilt after the New Year.
The other project is a crib-size quilt make of fabric covered with panda bears. I thought Jeffrey would enjoy it for a few years--maybe even be like my Ernie was--carry that thing around until it was so ragged I had to replace it with a new one. It was Ernie's security blanket when his father went on one of his rampages. Since Jeffrey lost his father before he even knew him, I think maybe he needs a security blanket, too. It's almost completed to be wrapped and put under MM's tree where we're all going to meet on Christmas morning for brunch and present opening.
I've been working on my crocheting, too, but if MM doesn't accept Miguel's proposal (which I hope is going to come up this Christmas season), I'll have plenty of time to get the bedspread done. It's going to be a pretty thing--an ivory shade, king-size, and done in a shell and ladder pattern.
Ernie's and Kathy's kids only want toys but they get so much. I had Harold drive me into Crockett and went to one of those learning stores. There I purchased games and books that offer such interesting lessons that teach without kids really realizing it. I wish I was a kid again and got those kind of gifts.
Harold was harder to shop for. He lived on the streets a long time and doesn't have too many wants. I can't make what he wants with a piece of fabric or needles. Nor can I purchase it in a learning store, or any other kind of store for that matter. It's for sure though that I can make his Christmas dream come true--and maybe I just will. After all, he's waited some time now, he's more than proven he's a worthy man, and a woman could do much worse than having a Harold Coburn by her side.
The only problem is with me. I don't know if I want to give up the first freedom I've ever known.
Merry Christmas all!
I got the idea for these projects from Bethy Rose when she showed an interest in the quilted pillow covers I was working on during breaks at the Cafe. She's such an excited soul when she sees or hears of something unique to do or learn about. So when she said she wanted to learn to do the tiny stitches required to quilt, I was more than happy to teach her. We began with learning to cut out the pieces to make a block and then I showed her how to stitch them together. Then she moved on to putting the batting in between the blocks and a backing. So, we began the first series of blocks quilted to backing.
Surprised that she didn't choose all pink fabric, I was ever more pleased when she chose the colors of nature: blues and greens and a touch of tan. But I guess I should have remembered that she's growing up a bit each time I turn around and being in a stable home has changed her in many ways. She's such a happy child now, not that mousy, whisperer who first made our acquaintance with a cookie baking fest one Valentine's Day.
Bethy Rose shows a gift for making those tiny stitches so, over the past few months, she's done a few more blocks. As I said, she made enough for a panel. For a surprise Christmas gift, I took those panels, sewed on a pocket at one narrow end, pushed a dowel through and added a woven hanger to make a wall hanging for her new room. I just wrapped it up last night with a note telling her we'd start on a quilt after the New Year.
The other project is a crib-size quilt make of fabric covered with panda bears. I thought Jeffrey would enjoy it for a few years--maybe even be like my Ernie was--carry that thing around until it was so ragged I had to replace it with a new one. It was Ernie's security blanket when his father went on one of his rampages. Since Jeffrey lost his father before he even knew him, I think maybe he needs a security blanket, too. It's almost completed to be wrapped and put under MM's tree where we're all going to meet on Christmas morning for brunch and present opening.
I've been working on my crocheting, too, but if MM doesn't accept Miguel's proposal (which I hope is going to come up this Christmas season), I'll have plenty of time to get the bedspread done. It's going to be a pretty thing--an ivory shade, king-size, and done in a shell and ladder pattern.
Ernie's and Kathy's kids only want toys but they get so much. I had Harold drive me into Crockett and went to one of those learning stores. There I purchased games and books that offer such interesting lessons that teach without kids really realizing it. I wish I was a kid again and got those kind of gifts.
Harold was harder to shop for. He lived on the streets a long time and doesn't have too many wants. I can't make what he wants with a piece of fabric or needles. Nor can I purchase it in a learning store, or any other kind of store for that matter. It's for sure though that I can make his Christmas dream come true--and maybe I just will. After all, he's waited some time now, he's more than proven he's a worthy man, and a woman could do much worse than having a Harold Coburn by her side.
The only problem is with me. I don't know if I want to give up the first freedom I've ever known.
Merry Christmas all!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
LIVY DOES CHRISTMAS!
Are you coming to my Christmas Eve dinner? I know you readers can't possibly make it but James and I have such lovely news we want to share with everyone. And, with MM, Megan and I working together on this affair, it is bound to be the highlight of the season. Livy and James Vandergriff are having a wonderful Christmas party!
Prime rib will be the centerpiece and, if you've never tasted MM's prime rib, you're in for the treat of your life. Garlicky mashed potatoes, beef gravy, green beans tied in bundles with strips of red pepper, spinach/pear/cranberry salad, and mile-high red velvet cake for dessert will the be menu. Just reading this makes my mouth water.
Do attend if you can. The entire evening will be quite an experience. The house, inside and out, has been artfully decorated and the big surprise is that for the first time James and I did most of it. It's taken a while but I've learned that being a real part of Christmas means you must get involved in all of the traditions, even make some new ones of your own, with head, hands, and heart.
Though MM and Megan will cater this (and yes, I did pay them well, gave them no instructions or limitations like I once did--and you do know that MM set me straight that time, don't you?), they are among my welcomed guests. Jim and I have invited people important to us--not like those business owners and leaders of society I once thought made the perfect guests either.
the guests at our table this year will be the ones who make our life so special on a daily basis--MM and Miguel and Bethy Rose, Pastor Micah and his wife, Leonard and Cora Skaggs, Jewel and Ernie and Kathy Tate--and, of course, Harold. Sam, the owner of the Shamrock Station/ambulance service/tow truck is a welcome addition; his wife is the sweetest thing, and funny, too. Megan and little Jeffrey, our newest town residents, will complete the guest list.
I would have never known this joy if Miguel hadn't called Jim to go undercover on a case, and MM hadn't sat me down to rake me over the coals, knock me off that pedestal Daddy had placed me on, and made me see how much of life I was missing. MM claims I saved her life during those resent troubling times in our town, but it was really MM who saved me.
And, at dinner tonight, we're going to let our favorite people, our friends, our new family know that by this time next year the Vandergriff family will have grown to three. Isn't that the most wonderful news to share on the night of Jesus birth?
Now, don't you go tellin' folks my news, you hear!
Prime rib will be the centerpiece and, if you've never tasted MM's prime rib, you're in for the treat of your life. Garlicky mashed potatoes, beef gravy, green beans tied in bundles with strips of red pepper, spinach/pear/cranberry salad, and mile-high red velvet cake for dessert will the be menu. Just reading this makes my mouth water.
Do attend if you can. The entire evening will be quite an experience. The house, inside and out, has been artfully decorated and the big surprise is that for the first time James and I did most of it. It's taken a while but I've learned that being a real part of Christmas means you must get involved in all of the traditions, even make some new ones of your own, with head, hands, and heart.
Though MM and Megan will cater this (and yes, I did pay them well, gave them no instructions or limitations like I once did--and you do know that MM set me straight that time, don't you?), they are among my welcomed guests. Jim and I have invited people important to us--not like those business owners and leaders of society I once thought made the perfect guests either.
the guests at our table this year will be the ones who make our life so special on a daily basis--MM and Miguel and Bethy Rose, Pastor Micah and his wife, Leonard and Cora Skaggs, Jewel and Ernie and Kathy Tate--and, of course, Harold. Sam, the owner of the Shamrock Station/ambulance service/tow truck is a welcome addition; his wife is the sweetest thing, and funny, too. Megan and little Jeffrey, our newest town residents, will complete the guest list.
I would have never known this joy if Miguel hadn't called Jim to go undercover on a case, and MM hadn't sat me down to rake me over the coals, knock me off that pedestal Daddy had placed me on, and made me see how much of life I was missing. MM claims I saved her life during those resent troubling times in our town, but it was really MM who saved me.
And, at dinner tonight, we're going to let our favorite people, our friends, our new family know that by this time next year the Vandergriff family will have grown to three. Isn't that the most wonderful news to share on the night of Jesus birth?
Now, don't you go tellin' folks my news, you hear!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
ARTWORK AND BOOKS
As a long time resident of Harts Corner and the owner of the only cafe, I couldn't be more proud of my hometown. We've come through some hard times and we've come out even better on the other side. The town has managed to settle down and we are a community of happy folks--well, for the most part. This is the Christmas season so we won't talk about the lesser fine points.
I hope all of you have come to see the community tree, the colorful wreaths, and the sparkling lighted candy canes along Main Street, and strolled along for a close-up look at the lovely job our merchants have done with their windows. Carolers will stroll along our streets on Saturdays, one of the farmers has started a horse-drawn carriage opportunity which will run right up to Christmas Eve, and we are really excited about the business campaign that rings the bell to shop locally. Did you know you can buy most everything you need and want for a beautiful, great Holiday Season right here in Harts Corner? Get out there and look.
Did you see all the beautiful seasonal artwork on windows around town? It was all done by our newest resident, Megan Crandall. along with her baby son, Jeffrey, she's made a real impact on Harts Corner. She's a great mother, a wonderful caterer (she practically runs this new venture of mine) and, as we found out when she volunteered to paint the windows of the Blue Moon, an outstanding artist.
Mz Barbara has already put Megan in the new book she's beginning to work on. I hope she manages to bring this young woman's story to light as well as she did in "The Blue Moon Cafe." And we're going to see more of Aunt Lutie (ghost, spirit, haunt, whatever you wish to call her) and her appearance to me and several others; her wisdom and guidance will always be needed in this town. The book that's going on sale in January brought all of us into the spotlight (some of the folks kind of wished she hadn't been so honest when telling the story of that time in our town's history) and I think she got the town, warts and all, right as right could be.
Speaking of books, did you know if a book is published in December that on January 1 of the New Year, it is considered an old book? I knew the shelf life of books is about two weeks if any author is lucky but learning that you're book is dead-on-arrival if published in December was a bit of a surprise. So Mz Barbara and Gina put too good brains together and decided not to kill the book.
"Aunt Lutie's Blue Moon Cafe" will be released in January 2013. Sorry you can't give it as a Christmas gift to all those hundreds of reader/relatives/friends (we all wish we could shower books on folks, don't we?) this year but it'll read just as good in January.
Believe me, the waiting will be worth it.
I hope all of you have come to see the community tree, the colorful wreaths, and the sparkling lighted candy canes along Main Street, and strolled along for a close-up look at the lovely job our merchants have done with their windows. Carolers will stroll along our streets on Saturdays, one of the farmers has started a horse-drawn carriage opportunity which will run right up to Christmas Eve, and we are really excited about the business campaign that rings the bell to shop locally. Did you know you can buy most everything you need and want for a beautiful, great Holiday Season right here in Harts Corner? Get out there and look.
Did you see all the beautiful seasonal artwork on windows around town? It was all done by our newest resident, Megan Crandall. along with her baby son, Jeffrey, she's made a real impact on Harts Corner. She's a great mother, a wonderful caterer (she practically runs this new venture of mine) and, as we found out when she volunteered to paint the windows of the Blue Moon, an outstanding artist.
Mz Barbara has already put Megan in the new book she's beginning to work on. I hope she manages to bring this young woman's story to light as well as she did in "The Blue Moon Cafe." And we're going to see more of Aunt Lutie (ghost, spirit, haunt, whatever you wish to call her) and her appearance to me and several others; her wisdom and guidance will always be needed in this town. The book that's going on sale in January brought all of us into the spotlight (some of the folks kind of wished she hadn't been so honest when telling the story of that time in our town's history) and I think she got the town, warts and all, right as right could be.
Speaking of books, did you know if a book is published in December that on January 1 of the New Year, it is considered an old book? I knew the shelf life of books is about two weeks if any author is lucky but learning that you're book is dead-on-arrival if published in December was a bit of a surprise. So Mz Barbara and Gina put too good brains together and decided not to kill the book.
"Aunt Lutie's Blue Moon Cafe" will be released in January 2013. Sorry you can't give it as a Christmas gift to all those hundreds of reader/relatives/friends (we all wish we could shower books on folks, don't we?) this year but it'll read just as good in January.
Believe me, the waiting will be worth it.
Monday, December 17, 2012
BABY JESUS
You know me, folks, I'm Pastor Micah. I'm no TV evangelist, nor a blogging one either. MM got me involved in this thing, along with that author lady, Mz Barbara. And they both think I have a place here because the residents of Harts Corner are precious souls. If there is one of them who doesn't know about our little church then my having a message of some sort on this Internet thing is worth it.
We've set up our creche (manager to many of you) scene today in front of the church. The figurine's are life-sized, very impressive even from the street out front. If you walk up to the scene and don't know much about the Holy season, you'll find the Biblical verses telling the story posted nearby. Oh, and by the way, our church doors are open daily from sunrise to sunset so if you need come time alone with your thoughts and prayers, come right on in.
Speaking of the figurine's, take a close look at Baby Jesus while you're there. He's got a few scratches here and there. That's because he's been pulled out of his cozy hay bed more than once. One year some rowdy teenagers from over Crockett way thought it would be real fun to steal him and dump the precious little lamb in a hog trough; it took a brave soul and a lot of soap and water to clean Jesus up, leaving a few marks from the heist.
Once Jesus disappeared and a church family sheepishly appeared with the figure. Their six-year old son confessed by explaining he wanted to keep Baby Jesus dry on an unusually wet day. When about three years old one of Lester and Cora Skaggs grandaugthter's brought the baby quilt Cora had made for her when she was born, and wrapped Baby Jesus in it--"to keep the baby warm."
Tonight we'll turn on the spotlight set out to show our creche thought the Christmas season. When you folks head to town for the tree lighting, or to view it later, don't forget to stop by First Baptist and enjoy the scene the Three Magi found when they followed the star.
I'll be the welcome-committee, the guy bundled up in a heavy coat with red wool cap and scarf, and snow boots with flashing lights on the soles (my grandchildren's gift last year). And, please, if my back is turned while greeting people don't run away with Baby Jesus.
We've set up our creche (manager to many of you) scene today in front of the church. The figurine's are life-sized, very impressive even from the street out front. If you walk up to the scene and don't know much about the Holy season, you'll find the Biblical verses telling the story posted nearby. Oh, and by the way, our church doors are open daily from sunrise to sunset so if you need come time alone with your thoughts and prayers, come right on in.
Speaking of the figurine's, take a close look at Baby Jesus while you're there. He's got a few scratches here and there. That's because he's been pulled out of his cozy hay bed more than once. One year some rowdy teenagers from over Crockett way thought it would be real fun to steal him and dump the precious little lamb in a hog trough; it took a brave soul and a lot of soap and water to clean Jesus up, leaving a few marks from the heist.
Once Jesus disappeared and a church family sheepishly appeared with the figure. Their six-year old son confessed by explaining he wanted to keep Baby Jesus dry on an unusually wet day. When about three years old one of Lester and Cora Skaggs grandaugthter's brought the baby quilt Cora had made for her when she was born, and wrapped Baby Jesus in it--"to keep the baby warm."
Tonight we'll turn on the spotlight set out to show our creche thought the Christmas season. When you folks head to town for the tree lighting, or to view it later, don't forget to stop by First Baptist and enjoy the scene the Three Magi found when they followed the star.
I'll be the welcome-committee, the guy bundled up in a heavy coat with red wool cap and scarf, and snow boots with flashing lights on the soles (my grandchildren's gift last year). And, please, if my back is turned while greeting people don't run away with Baby Jesus.
Friday, December 14, 2012
BRIGHT LIGHTS IN HARTS CORNER
I've got some exciting news. Harts Corner is decorated for Christmas. My town, the town that has become the best thing that ever happened to me, Harold Coburn, is wonderfully beautiful and I had something to do with making it look that way.
You know, for years, I've been the street cleaner of this town. You didn't know? Well, it's right there in Miz Barbara's book about how I was pretty messed up after Korea, roamed around a lot as a lost soul, like a lot of guys do after all these wars we get ourselves into. When I woke up in the Psych Ward of a hospital in Temple after a full-blown black out, I felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown all over me. I woke up to what a lousy life I was livin'.
I dried out and hit the road, going just a short piece down the road before I found Harts Corner where kind people accepted me, allowed me to keep their streets clean, sell the bottles I collected to supplement my disability money, and even offered me a roof over my head for a little caregiving. I met MM and she introduced me to Jewel Tate and that made life more than worth taking care of. And this year, this town sort of crowned me with new glory. I was asked to decorate the streets for Christmas.
Sam McCrory has beendoin' this prettyin' up forever. It was a no-brainer that he had the job; he had the only truck suitable to put ladders on the bed in order to reach the one stop light, the dozen or so lamp posts, and the top of the community Christmas tree to place the star on top and wind the lights around the upper branches. This year Sam decided (we all figured his wife made the decision for him) that he was getting too old to shimmy up that ladder. So he asked me if I wanted the job.
Did I ever! Who wouldn't want to put all those colored lights up and down the street, hang those ornament-covered wreaths from lamp posts, and place the big candy canes around the courthouse grounds? With Sam's supervision, I went to work immediately. It ws not easy--that Sam had done an amazing job all those years. But with his supervision and the use of his truck, I decorated the town.
If you want to see something downright breathtakin', pay a visit to Harts Corner at 6 o'clock tomorrow night. Bethy Rose is gonna hit the switch to light up the most beautiful corner of the world--at least I think it is.
Hot chocolate and gingerbread men will be provided by the Blue Moon Cafe, so come help us celebrate the official beginnin' of Christmas in Harts Corner.
You know, for years, I've been the street cleaner of this town. You didn't know? Well, it's right there in Miz Barbara's book about how I was pretty messed up after Korea, roamed around a lot as a lost soul, like a lot of guys do after all these wars we get ourselves into. When I woke up in the Psych Ward of a hospital in Temple after a full-blown black out, I felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown all over me. I woke up to what a lousy life I was livin'.
I dried out and hit the road, going just a short piece down the road before I found Harts Corner where kind people accepted me, allowed me to keep their streets clean, sell the bottles I collected to supplement my disability money, and even offered me a roof over my head for a little caregiving. I met MM and she introduced me to Jewel Tate and that made life more than worth taking care of. And this year, this town sort of crowned me with new glory. I was asked to decorate the streets for Christmas.
Sam McCrory has beendoin' this prettyin' up forever. It was a no-brainer that he had the job; he had the only truck suitable to put ladders on the bed in order to reach the one stop light, the dozen or so lamp posts, and the top of the community Christmas tree to place the star on top and wind the lights around the upper branches. This year Sam decided (we all figured his wife made the decision for him) that he was getting too old to shimmy up that ladder. So he asked me if I wanted the job.
Did I ever! Who wouldn't want to put all those colored lights up and down the street, hang those ornament-covered wreaths from lamp posts, and place the big candy canes around the courthouse grounds? With Sam's supervision, I went to work immediately. It ws not easy--that Sam had done an amazing job all those years. But with his supervision and the use of his truck, I decorated the town.
If you want to see something downright breathtakin', pay a visit to Harts Corner at 6 o'clock tomorrow night. Bethy Rose is gonna hit the switch to light up the most beautiful corner of the world--at least I think it is.
Hot chocolate and gingerbread men will be provided by the Blue Moon Cafe, so come help us celebrate the official beginnin' of Christmas in Harts Corner.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Apologies from Mz. Barbara
I've been away from you so long that I feel I owe you a big-hair apology. It's not that I don't love chatting with all of you, letting my characters tell you all that is going on with them in Harts Corner. It's just that I have suffered a loss that no mother wants to ever face.
On October 6, after a two-year illness, my only son died at the age of 48. I spent a week with him before that and we made the best out of a bad situation; chuckling over his childhood photos, talking about his antics, about our lives together, and cementing the love we felt for each other. He insisted he didn't want me there when he died--and, knowing his dearest friends were there to care for him, be there for him right up until the end, I agreed to his final wish.
It has been a hard two months. There have been many times I've sunk to my knees in tears; other times I've smiled at the memories of him. I didn't think I could face the holidays but have managed to bake cookies and make candy and send off the usual Care Package I always sent to Eddie and his boss/housemate this time of year. I have long called David my second son and he has called me Mom. I slowly put up the tree and decorated the house. I just recently made calls to several neighbors and a few friends, asking them to attend a small Open House--trying to carry on the traditions Eddie had shared when at home and when visiting.
I've neglected Harts Corner but it's now time to get back in touch with those fine people who have been so comforting, have listened to my anguish, and have allowed me this time by waiting patiently for me to start listening to them again.
Thank you all for your understanding.
On October 6, after a two-year illness, my only son died at the age of 48. I spent a week with him before that and we made the best out of a bad situation; chuckling over his childhood photos, talking about his antics, about our lives together, and cementing the love we felt for each other. He insisted he didn't want me there when he died--and, knowing his dearest friends were there to care for him, be there for him right up until the end, I agreed to his final wish.
It has been a hard two months. There have been many times I've sunk to my knees in tears; other times I've smiled at the memories of him. I didn't think I could face the holidays but have managed to bake cookies and make candy and send off the usual Care Package I always sent to Eddie and his boss/housemate this time of year. I have long called David my second son and he has called me Mom. I slowly put up the tree and decorated the house. I just recently made calls to several neighbors and a few friends, asking them to attend a small Open House--trying to carry on the traditions Eddie had shared when at home and when visiting.
I've neglected Harts Corner but it's now time to get back in touch with those fine people who have been so comforting, have listened to my anguish, and have allowed me this time by waiting patiently for me to start listening to them again.
Thank you all for your understanding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)