Remembering the past

Back in the early 1920's my Grandfather, Walter J, was attending Princeton to earn his Master's degree (he eventually earned his PhD and taught at George Washington University, but that was later).  While at Princeton he joined a fraternity (I don't know which one, my daughter probably does). 

At any rate, he and his frat brothers all had girlfriends.  Walter was in love with Marie.  He loved her deeply.  I happen to know this because he saved everything that he felt was important.  So did Marie.  I have all their love letters while they were courting.  They are so very proper and sweet.

We always referred to Walter as Granddaddy and Marie as Rea.  While still in college his close frat brothers all decided to purchase candlestick holders.  They kept one and gave the mate to their girlfriends.  After all had married, only Walter J had a pair of candlesticks.

My mother ended up with the pair.  She only ever displayed one so I didn't find out the story until just a few years before she passed.  I was cleaning out some closets upstairs and found the mate!  I remember bringing it downstairs to match it up with the one on display and asked Mom about the significance.  She told me the story.  She had never liked the pair but thought the single one was more interesting.  After she passed and my brothers and I were splitting up the estate, I took one and my brother took the mate.  I have loved having mine in the living room in a place of honor.  Makes me remember my grandparents and my Mom. 

A week ago my daughter, Lori, texted me this picture with the caption:  Look what I found!

While it's not a twin (there are slight differences), I was thrilled!  "How much?" I demanded.  "Buy it now!" when she replied.

It was nasty when she arrived, but a bit of brass polish and elbow grease and it looks great!  The new one will be displayed in the downstairs great room.  They are clearly from the same foundry with different cups and slightly different base, all else is identical. 

I love family history.  I wonder how the second one came to be in an antique shop in Eureka, CA.  My grandparents lived in New York, Washington DC and Maine. 

Gary is recovering from the plague which he got 5 days ago and Lori is coming down with it.  It will be a quiet Christmas tomorrow, but I'm happy to have my family close by -- but not too close :)  Merry Christmas!

Getting to Know Prescott

I've only ever lived in one small town (I'm not including the many Air Force Bases growing up because those are very transitory places, even though I loved it).  I've always thought of  small towns as straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  My one experience was Garberville, California.  It was such an interesting experience living there for 18 years (but I'm pretty certain that Mr. Rockwell would not have visited).  It was full of small town charm and drama, generosity and drugs, philanthropy and villainy.  If you were looking for it you could find it, it has a bit of everything.  It is also home to our many wonderful friends that we both dearly miss.

We left Garberville for Prescott at the end of October.  Other than facing the mountain of boxes we still have, we have been busy learning about our new home and community.  I think we are going to love living here regardless of how much we miss our friends in the redwoods.

Let me tell you just a tiny bit about Prescott (I'm only beginning to learn about this amazing community.  A week ago Friday (December 1st) was the lighting of the Courthouse Square.  The square is in the center of "old town", about two blocks square with the old Courthouse in the center, lots of trees, well kept lawn, seating, a bandstand near the front and completely surrounded by interesting shops, bars (one street is called Whiskey Row), a post office and City Hall.  It's a lovely piece of property, typically bustling with locals and tourists enjoying this beautiful square.  They are sitting on picnic blankets, walking dogs, chatting with friends and neighbors and generally enjoying the atmosphere. 

They usually have 5-6 thousand attendees, this year the paper estimates that 10,000 people came to watch.  We read about it the next day.  Gary and I haven't ventured out at night except once to attend a Welcome to the Neighborhood party in our neighborhood.  It was amazing and fun and friendly, but I'll get to that.  We will definitely try to get there next year.

Last Friday was Acker Night.  Now this is what I wanted to get to.  Again we didn't attend but will next year.  

Let me tell you about Acker Night:  THIS is what a small town should be all about!  It's an evening of music.  EVERY business is open and every business has some sort of live music going.  From a single guitar player to a band, to choirs, to bands of every size and style.  Why have they been enjoying this evening for 29 years?  To raise money for scholarships for music in the schools!  Seriously, the entire community (with with guests who visit annually over this specific weekend so that they can attend).  Many of the performers are giving back because they were lucky enough to be a recipient of scholarship funds when they were in school.  This is a hugely anticipated event, my chiropractors receptionist just bubbled as she was telling me how important this evening would be.

We are looking forward to next year when we feel a bit more comfortable.

We continue to tackle boxes, emptying one, filling another.  Why do we wait until we get here to decide what to get rid of?  We've taken two trucks full of "stuff" to the D.A.V. (Disabled American Vets) for donation.  

Still haven't found the napkin holder!  Gary said, "Oh, for heaven sake, buy a new one!"

No, my brother made it in high school in wood shop.  I want THAT one.

Well, it's time to get into the garage and help Gary deal with yet another set of racks.  We moved from a spectacular and enormous custom kitchen to a very small one that is awkwardly set up.  I have three gorilla racks in the garage full of kitchen stuff (including our small refrigerator and thank goodness for that as our Viking refrigerator blew up two weeks ago and the home warranty people have been slow getting the necessary parts).  Moving isn't for the faint of heart!  More later!

I love Prescott!