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Dear Friends, Christmas is right around the corner, a nor’easter blows outside, and I am finally getting around to starting my letter sharing the McPherson’s doings for the year. We on the East Coast had a bitter winter last year, and I am praying that this year is kinder to us. I laugh (now) at the “every Wednesday snowstorm,” which meant that kids had to stay in school practically till July 4 celebrations. The weather was so bad in February, that the plane I was scheduled to take down to Florida to see my sister, Freddi, who was vacationing there with her family, was canceled. There was not a seat available on a plane out of New England going to warmer climes until the day before I was to return. Extreme bummer. Jim and I spent last Christmas in D.C. with Ainsley and Hernan. We’re headed back to Washington next week for Christmas again this year, though Hernan has returned to Ecuador to finish up some college credits he began before coming to George Washington University. He’ll be back up for a visit after we leave this year. We’ll be sorry to miss him as he arrives the day after we come back to the Cape. Ainsley continues to work at the World Bank. Her contract ends in May, although they seem to want her to stay on. However, I think she and Hernan want to do some traveling together, and she wants to try her hand at working in Ecuador. She was just certified as a Power Yoga instructor, so feels that she will have a shingle to hang out in Quito, if she lands there. Jim continues to work with the Red Cross on Disaster Sytems Technology, and with the local Red Cross on getting volunteers organized to assist in fires and other local events. I love that he has separate ring tones on his phone for whatever part of the Red Cross is trying to reach him. “Ring of Fire” says there’s a fire; “Stormy Weather” says there’s an update from his weather connection, “Help” says someone is calling for assistance. There are at least 2 more, and I can always tell (sort of) what’s going on by listening to the ringtone calling him. Jim was a great help last summer putting together sound and lights for a summer production of “Froggie Went a-Courtin’” written by my friend, Steph DeFerie, and performed at the Chatham Drama Guild. I always enjoy when he jumps in to help backstage. As usual, I was kept busy in theatre this year, with our Middle School play, “The Girl Who Lost Her Heart,” by ever faithful playwright Steph DeFerie, several play readings, including “Steel Magnolias,” playing the 12-year-old cabin boy, Pip, in a ridiculously funny musical version of “Moby Dick,” finishing up with a witch in “MacBeth” and the older (non-dancing) Clara in the Cape Cod themed “Sea Captain’s Nutcracker.” In the Nutcracker, basically, I would remember, fall asleep, and they would dance. Then I would wake up, remember, and fall asleep, and they would dance. It’s the second time I’ve done it, and it is so much fun. I learn so much about professional dancing! In August I was fortunate to travel to Quito, Ecuador to meet and visit with Hernan’s family. They are wonderful people, and spent hours and miles squiring me around the Quito area. I ate cuy (guinea pig), stood on the Equator, and visited hot springs and indigenous towns. It was an unforgettable and exciting experience. I was particularly taken with a vegetable “ivory,” from the tagua palm tree. The carvings look just like real ivory! Columbus Day weekend was spent in Washington, DC, attending my FIFTIETH!! high school reunion. Groveton High School figured prominently in the movie “Remember the Titans” – which I admit I never saw. I had the BEST time! All I can say is that age is a great leveler. No more “popular” kids, no one more “successful” than others, everyone just so happy to see everyone else. With two friends I was able to visit our History teacher and his wife, Jack and Marion Hiller. Jack took the iconic photo of JFK. Pierre Salinger offered to get it autographed for him, but there were no white ink pens around to write onto the black background. They used one of Caroline’s white crayons. His photo of MLK, Jr, hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. A year ago when Jim and I were in DC for Christmas, we drove by my “old” house, one that Mom and Daddy built for us when I was four years old. I’ve always wondered about it, so when I got home last year, I sent a letter to “Occupant” at that address and told them a little about the history of the neighborhood. I was so excited when they wrote back to me and invited me to come meet them if I ever was in the area. The Saturday of Columbus Day Weekend Beth and Robert Moorman took me all through the house. I was so excited to see the changes inside and to see that they had reclaimed our brick wall in the back yard. I have to say the house looks better than it ever did when we lived there. The Moorman’s have an artistic bent that was lacking – or difficult to implement with four kids – when we were there. I was sorry that their son was off at a track meet and I couldn’t meet him I think we are moving into the “table-top Christmas Tree era of our lives. It doesn’t bother me at all, except I do love taking out ornaments every year, remembering each one and where it came from. Perhaps Ainsley someday will treasure them, too. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a terrific (can you believe it?!) 2015!
Karen and Jim McPherson |
