Memories Between the Bookends

I have been "away" for a while. The last few months I didn't feel much like writing. It is not that I had nothing to say, I just couldn't bring myself to write. You see, I have lost special people in my life. You might remember that last September I kept a promise to my mother-in-law, Bertha (Bertie) Helfand by sharing the history of her father, Jacob Meisler. Sadly Bertie passed away on December 16, 2011. She had turned 99 on October 28th. Then on February 17, 2012, my Auntie Agnes passed away, just about one month shy of her 94th birthday. Auntie was my Mother's twin sister. It seems many of my friends are going through the same sadness - the loss of a really wonderful generation, all in their late eighties and early nineties...so today I thought I would write about reconnecting with old friends and sharing memories.

Do you remember the 1968 Simon and Garfunkel album Bookends? The songs from the first side of the album explore a life journey from childhood to old age. The album opens with the Bookends Theme.

Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you

I thought of this album today because yesterday my childhood neighbor and playmate found me on the internet. She found my blog and sent me an email. Turns out she has been trying to find me for years and the truth is I have looked for her many times over the years. Last night we talked to each other for the first time in probably 45 years.

Her name is Peggy. We lived on the same street from 1956 till the end of 1960. We played together everyday. Her parents were 10 years younger than my parents and her mother, Doris, really was just like June Cleaver. Peggy has a brother named Jackie. He, too, was part of our play group. We played in the canyon, thinking nothing of wading into a strange looking pond or digging into a side of hill. We played in the street - hide and seek and kick the can. We played in my father's 1949 Cadillac mourning car. We made mud pies and Peggy swears that we once made a "mud pie" that resembled "dog poop" and placed it on her parents' manicured front lawn just to tease her dad, Jack. Peggy's parents loved to go to the beach. I often went with them, as they had a boat and loved to water ski. (I watched.) We shared holidays - I remember their Christmas tree was always picture perfect...right out of a magazine. Peggy remembers listening to my sisters and me play/practice the piano. She still loves Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and remembers watching my sister Agnes play it. We didn't go to the same school. We went to parochial school and Peggy and Jackie went to public school. But I do remember looking forward to the afternoons and early evenings as play time with Peggy.  In late 1960 my parents decided they needed to find a larger home so we moved away from Alpha Street. It was a very sad time...leaving Peggy, Jackie and Mr. and Mrs. Alford. I know now it was just as sad for them. We stayed in touch visiting each other. Eventually they moved, too; however, our parents made an effort for us to continue to spend time together. I remember spending weekends with the Alfords at their new home in El Cajon...it was wonderful. And then slowly, we lost track of each other.

Getting back to Bookends...there is another song At the Zoo.

Someone told me
It's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it,
I do believe it's true.

It is true...many times Peggy and I, along with our siblings, went to the San Diego Zoo. It is a wonderful zoo...a place to play, to learn and make memories. I hope you will enjoy this little photo album of some of those trips.

Finally, I want to share a video of Simon and Garfunkel singing Old Friends



So here's to my Old Friend, Peggy. We are now both in are 60's. We have been apart for 50 years. We went to college, we married, we raised our children, Peggy became an artist. Strangely enough, from 1997 until March 2008, we lived only 10 miles apart. I'm hoping Peggy and I will be able to meet again in person before we are 70!

Can you imagine us
Years from today,
Sharing a park bench quietly?        
How terribly strange
To be seventy.

Peggy and Judy -Circa 2012

I would love to hear about your memories between the bookends.

Times Long Gone - Remembering 9/11

View of the World Trade Center 1990 - Click to enlarge

Times Long Gone - Auld Lang Syne

A lot happens in a decade. This Sunday most of us, who are old enough, will be remembering September 11, 2001, or as we often refer to the day 9/11. We will think back to where we were, who we were with, how we spent the day and following days. It is what we do. We have our memories, albeit sometimes edited because they are too painful.

When I wrote my 2001 holiday letter I talked about searching for a "connection" to New York City and the World Trade Center.

"...in the Fall of 1976, I actually toured the World Trade Center with my sister's brother-in-law; we even went to the Observation Deck. It was a cold and windy day, and sadly even though I returned to the City quite often as the years passed, I never returned to the Trade Center.  I would point out the structure to Aaron and Daniel on each visit, but we never took the time to stop and tour this landmark. I kept thinking, if I only had a picture, I would have that needed connection."

As I said, a lot happens in a decade. I am thinking back now to good times, bad times, sad times. We have all, no doubt, experienced our own Circle of Life events through this decade - weddings, births, graduations, illnesses, retirements, deaths, career changes, wars, divorces, elections...life goes on.

The photo you see above was taken by me in 1990; however, I had misplaced it, until a few weeks ago. That's right; it took me 10 years to find my photo of the World Trade Center. I took this photo from Statue Cruises boat. Aaron, Daniel, Grandma Birdie and I were touring Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. 

The photo you see below is a blended image of Aaron and Daniel on the Statue Cruises boat in 1990 and the two of them all dressed up for a family gathering - Circle of Life events.

Aaron & Daniel - Click to enlarge

Would love your comments. What has this decade been like for you?  What Circle of Life events have you experienced from 2001 - 2011?

Thanksgiving Makes Memories

Judy's Homemade Apple Pie

If I had to guess I would say that Thanksgiving Day means something different to everyone. It is a national holiday that we are taught to celebrate with our family and friends. But let's face it, not everyone is close (both literally and figuratively) to their family and often friends are not in town or are otherwise busy with their own family. My first vivid memory of Thanksgiving was 1954. I had just turned five and I was in kindergarten. My teacher's name was Mrs. Smith. She decided to produce a little Thanksgiving Play about the Pilgrims and Indians and the First Thanksgiving. Most of the children were cast as Pilgrims. I remember she had a teepee and she wanted to have an Indian Chief, an Indian Brave and an Indian squaw. In a class of about 30, I was the only little girl with black hair...so I became the Indian squaw!  Thanksgiving makes memories...

Over the years I have had some wonderful and interesting Thanksgiving Days. My mother was not a great cook, but she made a remarkable Thanksgiving dinner. When we owned our country inn Thanksgiving became a really busy week for us. We would often serve over 50 guests for Thanksgiving. I would try have the traditional menu and add something different every year.

This year we will celebrate Thanksgiving with Aaron and Alli and Dennis' first cousin Ken and his wife Carol. Daniel will not be home for Thanksgiving, but we will be thinking about him.

Today I thought I would share my sister Joann's latest Thanksgiving watercolor and our planned menu (remember Aaron is an Executive Chef and he loves making everything from scratch!).

Thanksgiving Dinner Menu 2010

***

Super Moist, Spiced Rubbed Roast Turkey

Pork and Herbed Apple Dressing 

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Turkey Gravy

 Green Bean Casserole**

Sweet Potato Tamales

Cranberry Relish Salad

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Homemade Apple Pie

Coffee

As I write this, the turkey is in Aaron's special brine, the apples and pumpkin await me, Aaron is reviewing the tamale recipe, and I am going to set the table complete with little printed menus! But really, I want to remember our family members who have passed, our Daniel who lives in Oregon and our siblings and their families that live far away. I want to say thank you to our friends that we have shared holidays with over the years, thank you to our military who serve to protect us and as I whip the cream to dress the pies I will remember fondly my father's usual caution: "Remember, you are making whipped cream, not butter!"

If you find you can't be with family and friends this year, consider volunteering at a local Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless. Make memories.

By the way, do you have a favorite Thanksgiving Day memory? I would love for you to share your favorite Thanksgiving memory right here. Leave a comment...

**Aaron's recipe appeared in the Arizona Daily Star; however, the journalist mistakenly listed the restaurant owner, Travis Reese, as the Chef. Didn't want you to get confused.

Judy's Homemade Pumpkin Pie

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