My Grandmother's dishes

These are my grandmother's dishes. The story is that they were a give away at the movie theater in Chicago were my mother is from. My mother and her 5 siblings wanted to give them to their mother as a gift. I have a complete set of 12: 12 plates, salad bowls, cups, saucers, dessert bowls and 12 of each of two smaller plates. There are also two platters, a gravy bowl, a covered dish and an oval serving dish. While I am sure they enjoyed the movies they saw, it must have taken even 6 children quite some time to earn all of this. Did they keep it a secret from their mother until they had them all? Did they have to save up the admission to the movie? I don't know. But I am struck by the devotion they had for their mother to stick with it. We don't have many things from either the Oberts or the Cushings to pass down, but that's okay. For one, it makes the few things we do have more precious. More importantly, it isn't the things that are precious at all - it is the stories connected with them.

Our good friends Tom and Patty came over to play cards Saturday night - not surprisingly the deck of cards were never opened. They make us laugh and laugh. Everyone needs a friend who can do that. As long as you laugh life can't get too bad. Thanks for being in our lives!

I got a new camera to take on my cruise. Chet very graciously sat for portraits while I tried it out and checked the different settings. I think it takes great indoor pictures don't you? I can't wait to try it outside. Now I no longer have to borrow Chet's camera.

Happy Veteran's Day

Thank you to all who have served, and those who continue to do so

Playhouse Square

Went to the Palace Theater in Playhouse Square, Cleveland, Thursday night to see Johnny Mathias. There's nothing like those old playhouses for sound. It was the first time I had been there. I didn't realize that Cleveland has the second largest theater district in the WORLD. It didn't say where the first is. Ohio, State, Palace and Allen theaters are all in the Star Plaza (and you thought the multiplex was a modern invention.) And the Hanna theater is nearby. Of course, there are also lots of restaurants and clubs. It is a very beautiful place with lots of people around. I was going to try to take pictures, but decided postcards were the better option

I just found out that the following song by Lynard Skynard reminds my son of...Me! I take it as a complement:

"Mama told me when I was young

come sit beside me, my only son

And listen closely to what I say.

And if you do this

It will help you some sunny day.

Take your time... don't live too fast,

Troubles will come and they will pass.

Go find a woman and you'll find love,

And don't forget son,

There is someone up above.

And be a simple kind of man.

Be something you love and understand.

Be a simple kind of man.

Won't you do this for me son, If you can?

Forget your lust for the rich man's gold

All that you need is in your soul,

And you can do this if you try.

All that I want for you my son,

Is to be satisfied.

Boy, don’t you worry... you'll find yourself.

Follow you heart and nothing else.

And you can do this if you try.

All I want for you my son,Is to be satisfied.

A concession to old(er) age

I was having trouble with my wrist hurting after doing needlework for extended periods of time, so I went out and bought this stand. I LOVE it! I wish I had gotten one YEARS ago! I can embroider so much more quickly with it - and my wrist no longer hurts! I am excited to try other projects with it - including the wall hanging I made a year ago that is waiting to be quilted (my first attempt). I definitely recommend one of these to anyone who likes to do hand work.