Tag: Celebrate!

Posted in Sunday Report

The Wheel of the Year

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

The wheel is turning and we can’t slow down… My New York Irish Dancer grand-daughters both had birthdays last week. Eliza, my #3 grandie, turned 13 on the 21st; Emma, my #1 grandie, turned 18 on the 24th. I am a little dizzy thinking about how the time has flown. They are gems in my crown and their futures look so bright that I gotta wear shades…

My #1 and #3 grandies,

Emma Magnolia Mayne Jose: 

Eliza Belle Mayne Jose: 

The old seasonal celebrations, passed down from ancient times, inform us that we will be celebrating the half-way mark of winter this week. Nearly every ancient culture divided the year into four parts marked by the Winter Solstice, the Vernal Equinox, the Summer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox. Today, we still recognize these as demarcating our seasons. Our ancestors further divided the year at the halfway points between the solstices and the equinoxes. These divisions are the Cross Quarter Days: Feb. 2, May 1, Aug. 1 and Oct. 31. You probably recognize those Cross Quarter Days as Groundhog Day, May Day, and Halloween, though August first is usually just another hot day in Southern Indiana…

The ancients did not call it Groundhog Day, though I’m sure they would have loved the movie; they called it Imbolc. Punxsutawney Phil’s emergence may advise us whether we celebrate only 6 more weeks until Spring, or commiserate 6 more weeks of winter, but I’m going to celebrate the three hours of daylight we have added since that shortest day on December 23. This winter has been foggy and gloomy lately, and we need a little perking up. Folks of yore sure did like their bonfires and we’re going to stir one up this week. The temperatures are predicted to be balmy and I’ll be happy to get outside…verrry happpy to go outside. 

The toe is healed, I’m getting around like a champ, and I’m ready for my own birthday month. The Jubilee Year wasn’t quite up to snuff for me, so I’m considering making them all a Jubilee. How ’bout it? Let’s dance… I’ve got plenty of room on my dance card…

Peace

Posted in New Year Day Special Edition

Happy New Year

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

2023 gave us such a rough ending, so we are grateful to turn the page and move on. The Jubilee year wasn’t much of a Jubilee, actually. Seems like everybody jumped on the bandwagon and turned 70 in uniquely fun ways, both intimidating and inspiring. I learned so many lessons last year, a surprise since I thought I’d just about figured it all out, but from my current perspective, there’s still so much more. So, Welcome 2024, a fresh slate, a blank page, full of possibilities…

I hope to blog more on this blog in 2024. I have been keeping busy editing and researching my family tree over at All My Ancestors, neglecting this little community. I truly appreciate those of you who read my words and continue to follow me, though the posts are sporadic. . Thank-you from the bottom of my heart. 

My “motto” for 2024 comes from Rabbi A.J. Heschel: 

Just To Be is a blessing.

Just to Live is holy.

This Moment is the marvel.

May we All Live this Marvelous Moment in Peace.

Posted in Sunday Report

Almost summer…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Happy Fathers’ Day to those who celebrate! My Dad’s been gone 26 years now, but he lives in me, in my music, in my reading and writing, and he eggs me on when I’m being hilarious. When I miss him, I put on his favorite songs and we sing along.

Bobby Mayne, 1947, 19 years old

It’s been very summer-like here at the Acres. The days float by in a lazy daze…mornings in the garden, afternoons working on the tan, researching and writing in the evenings. We broke up the routine this week and headed out to the racetrack.

If you didn’t know, Churchill Downs, in Louisville, KY, shut down their track and moved the remaining races of their Spring season to our humble little track, Ellis Park. Ellis has been going downhill for many years due to owners who are not really horse people, but Churchill bought it back last year, though they haven’t really done much to fix it up. They were caught off-guard having to open up a month earlier than planned, and it looked pretty bad Friday, but I have read that they got some help in and are catching up, getting the tents put up and the picnic tables out. I only lost 70cents, so that’s a good sign.

After watching a few races, we crossed the bridge over to Henderson for the W.C. Handy Blues Fest. It’s been a while since we attended and it felt good to be there.

Ellis Tinsley…just one of the great musicians at the Handy Fest…

We’ve had little rain, so our water bill will be astronomical. I love the peaceful feeling of watering my plants, praising them for their growth. We’re struggling for bees in the veggie garden, but my anise hyssop is about to bloom — if that doesn’t attract them, I think I’ll buy some cocoons next winter.

This week is Willard Library’s Genealogy “Almost-Midnight Madness”. I’m registered for morning speakers on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There will be free swag and food trucks, as well as new info to help my research.

It’s supposed to rain today, but I think it will be later on this evening before we see the precip. Hope your week has just the right blend of sun and clouds!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

Pomp, Circumstance, and a long-shot

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

I have been so obsessed with the Coronation that I paid little attention to the horses this week-end, but in the end, I did my usual win-some, lose-some with my wagers without even over-thinking.

I am still in a daze over the opulence of the Crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. I was up at 2:00 am, donned my tiara and thanks to YouTube got to watch the BBC coverage. They didn’t talk over the service like the Americans do, so I truly felt like I was in church.

I love High Church Liturgy, vestments, soaring ceilings with walls of stained glass, choirs and trumpets, and especially Handel, my favorite-of-all-time composer – and not just because we share a birthday, or because The Messiah is brilliant. Indeed, I just love the movement of an Amen or Alleluia that can be made to last measure upon measure! Andrew Lloyd Weber had composed a lovely setting of a Psalm, Debbie Wiseman contributed new music for a gospel acapella group, and there was plenty of Boyce, Rutter, and other quintessentially British tunesmiths.

I cried a couple of times, but big tears were flowing as Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” filled the Abbey. The King had stripped down to his undershirt (surprisingly not a wife-beater) and gone behind a stunning screen to be annointed; he was looking a little fragile yesterday and the sight of him so bare was a lesson in the humility of this good man. I share this with you, and I hope you watch it with a tissue handy, and remember this is Live, just before Charles and Camilla were crowned. (The dude in the kilt is Lt. Col. Johnny Thompson, the King’s equerry, and a very popular man amongst us Royal Watchers)

After a little nap and some lunch, I got dressed for the Derby and made my bets via TwinSpires. I talked with my kids and the name Mage came up, but I only bet him to show…at 18-1, I thought he’d be doing well to get that far. Congratulations to Mage, who did return about $13 on that $2 bet; it was my favorite, Angel of Empire, who almost made it, but cost me… I’m down $7 going into the Preakness, second race of the Triple Crown.

It was Thursday before we finally got my tomatoes in the ground and they were very shocked with the transplant. I fussed over them and they seem to have pulled out of it, especially with today’s rain.

The bell peppers, basil, yellow squash, and zucchini were planted on Friday along with some watermelon and cantaloupe seedlings.

We did a little re-arranging and I now have a spot for potted herbs in a partial shady spot that I think they will love.

I’ve been so wrapped up in all of the above that I feel quite relieved to have it all behind me. May is a busy month, as usual: #2 grandie will have her 15th birthday on the 9th, Mothers’ Day is the 14th, Samantha’s Dance Recital is the 20th, and Jojo’s Academy of Music will have the 1st Annual Piano Recital on the 27th.

I have to plant more seeds, and I’m planning another trip to Ronnie’s for extra plants just because. I’m still looking for anise hyssop; there’s a native plant nursery over in Posey County that has them, so that will be a nice little outing.

Somehow the gloom and rain don’t seem so bad today, though I’ve got to get outside and tie up the squash. Have a great week!

Peace

Posted in A Very Disney Birthday, Jubilee

Birthday Day

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Disney World is Not just for kids, as I have shown you. In fact, we’ve walked nearly 12 miles since we arrived and I haven’t had anyone carry me, so far, like I see all these little’uns.

Yesterday we broke camp at Fort Wilderness and moved over here to Pop Century — our home-away-from-home. The weather is very hot and humid, so I’m glad we’re not camping the whole trip.

And now the Big Day has dawned and I’ve completed yet another trip around the sun, my 70th. Park Hopping is my cardio and I’m feeling pretty fit. We’re scheduled to ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind around 4:30 at Epcot today and have most of the day free to do whatever we feel. Celebrate!

It seems appropriate to quote Walt Disney…

To finish up the Judith Viorst poem, quoted in Sunday’s post, re: turning the big 7-0:

……In the meantime,

Let us consider

Drinking wine,

Making love,

Laughing hard,

Caring hard,

And learning a new trick or two

As part of our job description

At Seventy.

That’s a pretty good job description for any of us, don’t you agree? I’m so grateful for all of you, truly appreciative of all my readers, whatever your age… Join the Jamboree and celebrate with me!

Hope you youngsters are able to keep up with us Class-of-’71-ers…

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

and the Jubilee Jamboree begins…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

After a particularly gray, gloomy week here at the Acres, we’ve escaped, driving south toward sunshine and balmy temperatures. As if that weren’t enough, it’s Birthday Week!

We were off to a great start Friday evening with a Game Night Party to celebrate Samantha’s 8th and my 70th. We played the new Life Goals card game and learned the Clue card game. Both of us Birthday Girls won, and though the Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game was very competitive, the victory went to me.

If it’s noon, we’re driving through Chattanooga, a highway that makes me nervous. There’s something about runaway truck lanes that puts me on edge. If you’re reading this later in the afternoon, we’ve hopefully made it through Atlanta without too many stops and are cruising down the looong state of Georgia. We’ll stop tonight around sunset and spend the night in a campground. Goldie has been remodeled since our last outing and I believe we’ve got the layout just right for our needs.

I recently discovered an old (2005) book of poems by Judith Viorst, titled “I’m too young to be Seventy And other delusions”. She so perfectly put into words so much of what I’m feeling about this aging thing, and I’ll probably be sharing some of the poems with you this year. The title poem, “At Seventy”, starts like this

Instead of “old”

Let us consider

“older”

Or maybe “oldish”

Or something, anything

That isn’t always dressed in sensible shoes

And fading underwear.

Besides which, seventy isn’t old.

Ninety is old.

And though eighty is probably old,

We needn’t decide that

Until we get there.

I’m considering this trip a reset, a re-boot, a rejuvenation, a kick-off celebration of my long-ish life and overflowing blessings. I’ll be in touch, and we’ll see how that poem wraps up.

Peace

Posted in Jubilee, Sunday Report

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! ‘Tis a Jubilee Year!

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Time, Time, Time…see what’s become of me: in February of this year, I’ll turn Seventy…

I’ve been planning a year-long celebration of this momentous occasion ever since last February when I turned 69, wading bravely into my 70th year. At first, I thought I’d begin the festivities on my actual b-day, but now have decided that the entire year must be one of Jubilee. I share passing this landmark with nearly everyone who went to high school and nursing school with me, so I’m in good company. I’m hoping that all my friends – regardless of age — will come together for a Sonnystone Garden Party in July. Mark your calendars for that second week or so, and watch this spot for more info. If that doesn’t work for you, let’s just meet up for lunch sometime this year!

In addition to planning this gala, I’m looking forward to finally taking that Long Drive in Goldie, visiting the New Yorkers on St. Paddy’s Day, and more WDW (of course). I hope to get the Family History printed and there will be changes to the blog. It’s time to pull out the mandolin and brush up on some chords. Bring on fresh piano music! Refresh my reading challenge and strive again for 24 books this year. Maybe Windsor, England? Amtrak sounds like fun. Jubilee years are packed with pleasure, so here we go!

Resolutions? Ha! I plan to stay healthy, happy, and Curious… There’s still so much I want to learn, especially the stuff I thought I already knew…

Peace

Posted in A quick look back, Christmas 2022

Looking Back

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

We had our Family Christmas Wednesday and the Love was Everywhere!

It has been a wonderful year here at Sonnystone! Various and sundry ailments kept us from traveling as much as we would have liked, but we did go to London, a long-time dream! Our gardens weren’t award-winning, but I’m proud of the “new” firepit area that we designed and planted. Most important, we enjoyed the company of Family, Extended Family, and Friends throughout the year. I hope one of them was You, dear reader, and if not, why not?

Onward to 2023, my Jubilee Year!

Peace

Posted in Celebrations at Sonnystone

Breaking News: #2 grandie graduates 8th grade

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

How bittersweet it is to watch your grandchildren grow up! As I watched the graduation ceremony, a montage of images slid through my mind, beginning with the first time I ever held her, hopping through 14 years of smiles…and some tears…and plenty of growing pains…and achievements beyond her own expectations.

Covid wiped out Olivia’s 6th grade year and she was home-schooled for 7th, so her experience of middle school has been brief, but full, as she was active in choir and on the Math Academic team. She received the Presidential Scholar Award and some other Civic Award. She was chosen to speak on “Looking Ahead” at the graduation ceremony; she seemed so grown-up as she delivered her remarks. She had also spoken at her 5th grade graduation, so I couldn’t help but compare and contrast. She is Remarkable, Super, and My Grand-daughter, so I’ve been tearful for the last 24!!

Olivia Mayne Casey, my sweet little buddy and occasional sparring partner, has been known to read this blog, so here’s to you, Nova!! I know you know, but I’ll say it anyway…

Peace

Posted in Christmas 2021, Christmas at Sonnystone 2017

Boxing Day

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

It’s the Second Day of Christmas and I’m expecting the delivery of my turtledoves anytime now. Boxing Day in the UK was originally about opening the alms boxes to give to the poor, but has devolved into a shopping day. It’s also St. Stephen’s Day in the Catholic church, the day that Good King Wenceslas looked out where the snow lay round about…

Last Monday was the anniversary of my daughter’s birth and we were in NYC to celebrate. After luncheon at The Community, we proceeded to the movie theatre to see “West Side Story”. (We Loved it, we cried, we marveled…you really should see it.) Then we trooped back to the apartment to sing and blow out candles; I’m Sure her wishes can come true.

We had a super time on Christmas Eve with the Jrs. After a good meal replete with mashed potatoes and gravy, we opened presents. Then it was off to the movie theatre to see “Encanto” which was encanting…(insert punny emoji)

We called the grandies on Christmas morning; beyond that it was just us, two old kids, exchanging presents, drifting through the day, content with grazing the leftovers, amicably sharing. The Day was balmy, so we walked through the woods, planning a pruning spree next month; walked around the gardens discussing plans for the 2022 upgrades; walked down to the campfire circle and envisioned a wall of forsythia between us and the neighbors’ pond… I hope your Christmas was just as heartwarming as ours…

We may or may not have visitors from Manhattan this week, depending on Covid testing. I think Emma may have gotten caught in the blizzard out there…

Peace