Chronicle of a Summer Road Trip: Part V

As previously noted, we have now set into the memoirs the first half of the summer sojourn. Following the lovely Mass at St. Mary's, we headed north for our visit with the Professor's family. The first day was a quiet day of rest. The Professor's first piano teacher, Mrs. B, had arranged a church program for the upcoming Wednesday evening and had been sure to include said former student in the list of performers. So, the Professor went to get his assigned piece from Mrs. B and spent a good part of the afternoon visiting with her. Mrs. B is 97 years old now, still lives in her own house, maintains her post as church organist and continues to supplement her income with three faithful piano students. Apparently she still also organizes evening programs. What an inspiration!

Tuesday we headed out to see the childhood home of Caddie Woodlawn, subject of two books by her grandaughter, Carol Ryrie Brink. This winter and spring, I read both Caddie Woodlawn and Magical Melons (now titled, "Caddie Woodlawn's Family) to the children. We all enjoyed the stories and were eager to impress the images of her home and its surroundings into our minds. The home has gone under restoration on the exterior, but the interior is bare, awaiting its turn.



















And, on our way through the neighboring village of Downsville, we stopped at the Creamery restaurant to shoot some pictures of their spectacular grounds.














Wednesday evening was the appointed time for the aforementioned presentation organized by Mrs. B and the church ladies group. The program was a sort of Reader's Digest walk through the twelve months of the year. For each month a selected church member related pertinent thoughtful stories, jokes, tidbits, historical data and a musical performance. The Professor, for his part, did not have to speak, but was assigned to perform a piano solo, Autumn Leaves (his performance was slightly less jazzy than the one linked here). We had an enjoyable time. The children enjoyed the sheet cake that was divided into twelve squares with a little decoration for each month.

Thursday and Friday were quiet, including a few errands, a trip to the maple farm to buy our two gallon-one year supply of pure syrup, dinner at a bustling Mennonite farmer's market, and helping Grandpa clear out his pole shed for the worker's who would be coming to pour cement. Saturday, the Professor and I had made plans for a day out as Granny had agreed to mind the three oldest grandchildren for us. Most unfortunately, I reacted severly to something I had eaten and the day out was substituted with a morning in bed and an afternoon on the mend.

Sunday was the annual family reunion, which we have not attended in many years. It was such a pleasure to see many of the cousins and almost all of the Aunts and Uncles.

Monday morning it was time for another round of reluctant goodbyes as we pushed off for the remaining quarter of our trip.