And on the Seventh Day, God (and Gerry DeMan) rested. It is EXTREMELY unusual for Gerry to take off a playing church Sunday — In our 31 years of marriage, he’s always had a full time job AND a church playing job, and I can count on one hand the number of times he’s taken off. This trip was one of them … we left on a Monday, and returned on a Friday, so he only missed one church weekend.
Our reason was the best: We visited our friends, Catherine and Carl Turso, and their daughter, Margaret. Catherine sang in our choir in Rutherford for a dozen or so years … I attended their wedding ceremony, and when Margaret was born a few years later, she became a sort of choir mascot, accompanying her mom more often than not to Sunday Mass, sitting in with the choir peeps. Over the years, we’ve met Catherine’s parents on several occasions, so it was delightful to see them again, too. The families have combined under one roof for the last year, and we were so blessed to have the opportunity to visit!
(***THIS IS _NOT_THE MULLALEY / TURSO HOME … THIS IS THE “CAMOUFLAGE” HOUSE, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE CHURCH!! LOL)
Their home, in which Catherine’s mom, Alice Mullaly grew up, is in a rustic, farmland area, and is as lovely as it is comfortable. I wish I had gotten a photo, but please know that our impression was wonderful. We were introduced to their completely sweet and meaningful dinner ritual: before saying grace, everyone at the table joins hands, and says something that they are thankful for that day. Simple, but heart rendering!
Gerry may have taken off playing on Sunday, but we did go to church on Sunday at 8:30 Mass. (and … upon hearing that the piano player occasionally doesn’t show for Mass, G. offered his services! LOL)
After Mass, it was off to Jacksonville (Oregon, not Florida 😉 ) for brunch. Funny thing: We got to the establishment around 10 minutes before 10 AM, and … ::drumroll:: it wasn’t open yet! That one tickled me. I must be pretty spoiled by NJ diners and bagel shops, most of which probably open at 6 AM, if they’re not open 24 hours! 🙂
We tooled along the Main St. for a few minutes before joining the brunch queue. Newsflash … it was GERRY who suggested the next pose for Lulu, while in Carefree Buffalo (the vintage General store.)
LOL Lulu went along. She’s a good egg. 🙂
After brunch, we went somewhere I never thought I would: to a Civil War reenactment in Oregon (!!) Catherine’s parents, Larry & Alice, are very active in their local Historical Society. One of the historical properties to which they are connected is a place called Hanley Farm, where all sorts of different events are held, including a music festival Alice is organizing in a few weeks.
The third year for this Civil War event, we visited on a day when the temps were in the 90’s, and the Mullalys were disappointed at the lack of attendance. The event itself, however, was really well put together and entertaining!
Margaret milked a (fake) cow …
The girls played dress up in the Civil War clothing tent …
Oh, yes! Lulu, too!!! 🙂
This now iconic photo is many thanks due to a kind stranger who snapped it! (we lost G. to the bathroom during this session.)
There was a blacksmith, with whom Margaret was enthralled!
He even fired & created a piece JUST for her!
The field was the locale of the war reenactment …
… but the combination of the low attendance, the heat, and the fact that the Civil War guys had been up the previous night until 2 AM assisting on a film shoot and were on the crabby & obstinate side, we really didn’t see any reenacting. Nonetheless, pleading my, “I write a travel blog” case, the hot & crabby reenactors obliged me with a Lulu photo:
Mr. Crabby on the left: No way could we rush the cannon in this damn heat. Or hold that doll. Or smile.
Mr. Crabby on the right: All’s I need is my Jack Daniels and my gun!
Lulu: Lolo, HELP!!! These guys SCARE ME!!
(LOL) It really was great to meet them. 😀
Just before we left the event, we were treated to a wonderful musician, who played Civil War-era songs on the banjo.
Larry’s going to be unhappy that I cannot recall this gentleman’s name, but he was definitely a highlight of our time revisiting the Civil War years!
The the series of events that comprised the last part of our Sunday will require its own post, therefore I will end here! Happy traveling, all!