It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

My aunt’s funeral was beautiful, touching, reverent, fitting. Following every Mass and graveside service in the village is the luncheon served in the school gymnasium by the ladies’ Altar Society.

My mom’s funeral was the first to reinstate the luncheon during covid, a proud tribute to her ability to bring people together. What’s so interesting and probably shocking to anyone who has never witnessed the meal, is the swiftness in restoring the gym to its former glory.

The priest prays over the meal and family, we form two lines, at least one hundred or more go through the self-serve tables. People eat, catch up with others, pay tribute to the family, and begin to leave approximately 60 minutes later. And then – out come the carts – and the family of the deceased begins stacking chairs and tables! It is speedy, efficient, and well-orchestrated. The gym is now ready for school activities. It has been this way for decades.

There is no sense in changing what works!

If your cute little dog had to choose, which treat would he pick?

We returned from our family get-together and changed into less formal attire. That is when I noticed the torn Reese’s Cup papers on my guest bed. Two chocolate treats for a little eight pound dog. Hm.

I neglected to inform my brother of the evidence last night, figuring I would divulge that knowledge if the dog died. This morning the remnants of a third chocolate cup were found, so I spilled the beans. That’s when we learned the little thief had jumped on the counter many times, choosing the butter dish on the last foray.

Stick of butter or chocolate? The wiser choice was made. And who could fault this cutie?

Oh…and a friendly reminder….

My brother has an arcade in his basement. Last night the claw machine held the attention of three little cousins, enjoying themselves tremendously! They each got to take home a stuffed animal which I’m sure their parents appreciated.

It’s a family event again, and we were graced by my uncle’s presence with his son and his family. We heard stories never known and those long-forgotten. It was special to be at my brother’s house which has become the “home base” for many family members scattered throughout the country. It’s the perfect house on a lake with entertainment for all.

Looking forward to seeing more cousins this weekend!

As I struggled with the fitted sheet on the bed, I imagined as I often do, a possible better system.

The problem is that my solution includes Velcro fasteners which get all wonky in the agitation cycle, as well as collect lots of hair from wherever they magically find it. Additionally, the words, “side,” and “top,” would be emblazoned on the sheet itself in bold color, not on a little tag in a corner on the underside. Or maybe it could be a shrink-wrap kind of solution where the sheet magically conforms as you put the blow-dryer to it? Or the box spring and fitted wonder could be magnetized? Forget the Velcro idea!

It’s always one of the least enjoyable aspects of washing the bed linens, which is why my daughter made me chuckle with this missive she sent yesterday.

It seemed appropriate following Halloween. I’m glad I don’t have a duvet.

There is something therapeutic in washing dishes by hand rather than sticking them in the dishwasher.

My earliest memories of being part of the ”big girls,” aka my aunts, was of helping them wash and dry dishes after family meals, pre-automation. My Aunt Annette always washed by hand, even when homes became supplied with dishwashers. She enjoyed that task. She relished talking to those who helped her, basked in the sisterhood of a shared goal, and definitely passed that appreciation to me.

As I washed my gold-rimmed china from Sunday evening’s dinner, I thought of Annette, who made a simple and necessary job a joy. I can still hear her laugh and see her smile. She will forever inspire me to scrub those pots and pans properly – and to be liberal in using a dry dish towel when necessary! Thank you, Auntie.

Three! It’s a new record for our recent Halloween attendees. A trio of lovely girls came late, around 8:30 pm, and of course, our delight resulted in their haul.

There aren’t any young ones in this neighborhood anymore, and the houses are too far apart for a good intake of sugar. We still purchase treats though, ”just in case.” I don’t don my witches garb to dole out candy, but we do put the porch light on, ”just in case.”

It was refreshing to have a few trick-or-treaters this year. It scared up a little nostalgia for Halloweens of yore. And there is plenty of ”just in case” for us to consume!

My two Sunday crossword puzzles were printed with a missing column of ”down” clues. It was not a satisfying experience yesterday.

The upside is that we received an actual hard copy of our paper. It’s so much more pleasant to complete a puzzle the old-fashioned way rather than printing and solving it on a thin sheet of paper. The ink flows better on newsprint.

My daughter suggested I research the puzzle online to get those elusive clues. I tried late last night, because an unfinished puzzle is rather defeating. Still no help. I did complete the LA Times, but the NY Times had too many absent clues. It will have to be an unresolved issue for the beginning of my week.

Looking forward to next Sunday already!

One year I went to a Halloween party as a rose garden. I had a long grass-green-colored robe on which I pinned fake roses. There were no prizes for costumes or I would have won.

My best costume was the Starbucks cup of coffee, made from descending-in-size hula hoops with a sheet, accurately painted as a cup. My hat was a dollop of whipped cream. It should have won the best prize. I lost that contest to a pre-purchased costume.

I love the play-on-words, clever ideas, odd portrayals that make you think. If I had thought of this one, and if I had the time, and if it weren’t a midterm election year, I would have recreated this, political or not.

I’ll continue the search for my next costume which probably resides in my closet. Happy Halloween weekend! Let the festivities begin.

My daughter sent me this photo of her closet with the note: ”This is the TRUE realization that you’ve become your mother…shoe rack doubles as the clothes hanging rack for, ”can be worn again.”

Guilty. And, I’m sure there will be many more illuminations on this subject as time marches forward. I predict snakes in your future, Daughter.

Tuesday was ”Zoo day.”

It was thoroughly enjoyable with my daughter and granddaughter, looking through the lens of each age. It brought back memories of attending years ago with both of my children, and the visit culminating in running through the gift shop post-animal viewing as they examined everything within reach.

Among the stuffed animals on display then and now were colorful snakes. I remember the young ones being enamored with them, and I, promising to sew them snakes when we got home.

I sewed snakes. How easy? Two extra long pieces of fleece, stuffed, with button eyes. The kids stood by me and watched as I churned out three-foot long snakes for them. One of those reptiles is still slithering around somewhere.

Those 4-H sewing skills still come in handy. No snakes this visit, but I did just complete an octopus costume!