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Kokomo Kootsie
4/19/2002
Nibbles- Bits & Pieces
The Old Soldier
(Civil War)
In the first grade, in November on Veteran’s Day, there came to our school, about eight Civil War Veterans.
Weeks before they were due, the teacher would drill us on how we were to conduct ourselves during their visit. We practiced all the patriotic songs; America; Star Spangled Banner; and especially, Battle Hymn of the Republic. We learned how to salute the flag, pledge allegiance, and when and how to display the flag; and never, but never, allow it to touch the ground.
A lesson evidently not taught, certainly not learned, by today’s flag burners.
One of the girls was given the honor of making the welcome speech and, with a large bouquet of flowers. She had a hard time with one word of that speech. "We present you these flowers to honor you for your brave service to our country."
I recall this speech so vividly because we all listened while little Betty Sullivan, practiced it over and over. She could never remember to say pre-sent; the word was foreign to her in that usage, as a verb! She would always say, ‘present’ as in a gift, the noun usage!
When she did welcome the old soldiers, she said, present, and I saw the teacher put her hands up to her face and shake her head!
As in a movie, I can still see these old soldiers, standing upon that small slightly raised stage, so tall and solemn and looking very old to my childish eyes; they were old, all seventy-five or more. All the small children standing just below them, crowded up to the stage, staring in wonder, not really knowing just what they were talking about, and why they were honoring these old men; what was Civil War to a six year old first grader?
They came every year, and each visit, there were less and less left to come. Too, we learned about the Civil War as we studied history, and the old soldier’s visits had more meaning for us.
The last time we paid homage to the Civil War Veterans, I was in the fourth grade, and only two came! The rest had fought that final battle, and had won that promised reward for all brave, true and good, and had gone to where no war or battles are ever fought; and all was love and peace with fellowman forever.
John 15:15
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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| EPM 2002 - 2005 |
Kokomo Kootsie
4/19/2002
Nibbles- Bits & Pieces
The Ribs
This evening we, Jack and I, along with Mickey and JoEllen, will be going over to Craig and Tara’s for a feast of B.B.Q ribs.
Craig makes fabulous ribs, and we always look forward to the next invitation! We will arrive about five-thirty P.M. and it will be cool enough for sweaters and jeans.
For me, that’s the only good time for a cook-out. Summer has always seemed too hot to have a fire going. But in cool weather, it’s great; the grill feels so cozy to be around; and any flame, inviting to the eyes.
So, today, Saturday, we are all sort of relaxed, more than usual, not doing any job we might otherwise be doing, and certainly needs doing. I’m not cooking at all; we snack from a loaded fridge. Just sitting around watching cook slows in the tube, whetting our appetite and saving our energy for Craig’s wonderful bar-b-que ribs!
I’ve made up a pretty large red compote of mixed wrapped candies and another of mixed nuts to take. Jack has brought a large bouquet of roses from our rose gardens; Golden Showers, Queen Elizabeth, Love, Chrysler Imperial and Honor; and I’ve put them in a pretty vase to take along also.
We will pickup some wine or champagne on the way over, and take these small tokens of our love and thanks to Tara and Craig.
They will have everything in place, and the dining table probably will be set with pretty plates and glasses, so we can bring our ribs inside if it gets too cool. That’s how it was last time. All very, very pretty and it delights us!
We arrived at five-thirty on the dot, as Tara asked. Craig met us at the door and graciously ushered us in. Tara and Sherri, Craig’s beautiful mother, were busy with last minute details in the kitchen and patio.
Their home is so beautiful, so very interesting, something pretty and of interest, every where you turn; shows taste and great artistic imagination. It’s eclectic and I love it all.
On her Spanish dining table, were the deviled-eggs, chips and dips, all so beautifully presented and delicious.
A long, long table was set on the green lawn away from the house in the backyard, directly in line with the patio door; and made a pretty picture with a red table cloth, lanterns, candles and flowers. It was surrounded by dark green lawn chairs.
There were Tiki torches lit back of the chairs along perimeter of the lawn, and real old fashioned lanterns hung at each post of the ornamental iron enclosed patio, where gorgeous cream and green wicker furniture was tastefully arranged.
The ribs were so delicious-to die for, and the way we were all putting them away, Craig surely thought we were trying to do just that!
Sherri’s baked beans from a thirty year old recipe, showed where Craig gets his talent.
It was Jazz’s, their beloved cat’s eighteenth birthday! She had a cake and candles lit-- and her birthday hat on her pretty black head. We all wore hats and lit sparklers, as Jazz was coaxed to even look at her cake, while her mother, Tara, blew out the candles!
They use Christmas lights as I do, everywhere possible, so it really looks like party-land, party time, along with a great choice of music.
Adding to the ambience, a flue fireplace was burning brightly at one end of the yard and a Mexican fireplace on other side of the table. Making it one great festive party scene!
The yard is very beautiful with a huge tree in the far corner, a great place to sprawl out a hot summer afternoon, and doze in it’s shade.
Everyone had a grand time. We are so proud of Tara and Craig.
They know how to entertain and made everyone feel so welcome and happy to be there.
And those ribs-those great ribs!
Ah, Craig----Next time!
LINK
| EPM 2002 - 2005 |
Kokomo Kootsie
4/15/2002
Nibbles- Bits & Pieces
There Will Be War In Camp!
Those were my fourth grade teacher’s favorite words, it seemed! She would give us an assignment, and then tell us if we didn’t have our lesson the next day, ‘There’d be war in camp!’
She would look at us with one eye half closed, and her short red hair and freckles, in no way kept her from being a witch in my mind.
I was afraid of her, and heartily disliked her. I thought her grossly unfair, as she didn’t treat all her pupils the same. Those she must have had a disliking for, she tried to intimidate and succeeded very well! I know that today-as I knew it then.
At Christmas, she had a tall tree brought in, and all the seats pushed to either side of the room, so the beautiful tree could be in the center of the room.
We were all so excited when that tree came into the room! I was perhaps the happiest of all; because there had never been a tree in our house at Christmas!! My grandmother thought it a waste of money, and a mess to have an ‘old tree’ in the house. Life was grim to grandma, and she meant to keep it that way!
So that tree, and the thought of getting to help decorate it, and just to see it there every day for a week, to be able to touch it, and the wonderful smell of it, was something that meant so much to me, that even today, I can’t begin to find the right words, that would convey what it meant to me!
Then the teacher dropped her bomb on the excited class! She told us those who get an ‘A’ on our test that day would get to help decorate the tree and have a Christmas party. Those who did not get an ‘A’ would have to sit at the far side of the room and study!
The next day, she called out the names of those who failed to get an ‘A’ on their test and sent them to their isolated seats at the far side of the room to study. The rest were free to move about, laugh, talk and decorate the tree! And eat home made fudge too!
If she saw an eye raised from the book, she would go over and tap the hapless one on the head with the long pointers they used then. They were not allowed to enjoy the festivities even vicariously.
Since I did not get an ‘A’ on my test, I was among the segregated, and I made some disparaging remark about Mrs. Orr, and her conduct, although I have no memory of what I did say. I do recall the little ‘stool pigeon’, who heard what I said, and wrote it in a letter to the teacher, which she brought to school the next day! It was read to the class, and I was gratified to hear some remarks others had made also. We all were censored in front of the class thanks to Juanita!
I had my first tree the first Christmas I was married. I decorated the whole house! I’ve only missed two Christmases without a tree.
One when our beloved Lady died on October 8, 1979, and one a few years ago, I spent in the hospital on Christmas day, following cancer surgery.
That tree in the fourth grade could have meant so much to that little girl.
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| EPM 2002 - 2005 |
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