Tag: Christmas with the Sonnystoners

Posted in Christmas with the Sonnystoners, Sunday Report

11 days before Christmas

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

This has been the Most Peaceful Christmas Prologue I’ve experienced, probably because we’re all older and have less expectations. Or maybe I’m just at Peace… Or it could be I’ve lulled myself into a coma eating sweets and savories…

It feels a lot less hectic since I don’t have to cook for a group, and I got my shopping done early. Samantha and I have enjoyed the music at the EPO Peppermint Pops last Sunday, and the ballet at yesterday’s Children’s Nutcracker performance.

I am very appreciative of our Philharmonic Orchestra for their Classic and Pops concerts, and the Dance Theatre that worked with them to produce the Nutcracker. Eville is very lucky to have these organizations.

This week we’ll wrap up the wrapping — damn, I’m funny! — and get the place dusted and shined. I’ve got to get my hair and nails ready, and I’m still looking for boots, but no stress. Samantha will be here next Saturday to help with the baking and we’ll make snickerdoodles and roll out some dough for cookie cutters.

Oh, and my daughter, has a birthday on Saturday. We’ll celebrate appropriately…

Have a great week!

Peace

Posted in Christmas with the Sonnystoners, Sunday Report

Ghosts of Christmases Past…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

I’m hurrying out the door to pick up Samantha – we’re going to the Philharmonic Orchestra’s Peppermint Pops again this year and I can hardly wait to belt out the Hallelujah Chorus! In the meantime, here’s what we were doing nine years ago…

December 6, 2016, starring Nova (mostly) This was made for me by 1Drive, so it ain’t my usual perfection, but it will do….

Nova sang at the Eville Music Academy Winter Concert last night and did a Super Job! I know because her Dad sent me a video…sadly, I was unable to attend. So this little video is to thank her for being herself – she’s The Best!

Since I’m being so lazy, I’ll throw in a re-blog of the same event, three years later with her sister…

Countdown to Christmas: 16 more days…

I’m still working on Christmas presents, so there’s time to straighten up and get on my list!!! You’ve got my number and surely you know where your phone is! I’d love to hear from you!

Have a great week!

Peace

Posted in New Year Day Special Edition

First Post

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

What a Wonderful Christmas we had in NYC!!

It feels to me like we missed New Year’s Eve. We got back from NYC on the 29th, and my cousin arrived on the 30th and spent the night here so we could take her to the airport (about 5 minutes away) on the 31st. I thought she was leaving yesterday morning, but her flight was actually in the evening, and was then delayed, finally leaving around 9pm. By that time, I was so physically and mentally exhausted that I just crashed as soon as we saw her off. I didn’t get my mind on preparing for this New Year, so today I’m going to make some lists as I put away Christmas decorations.

For now, I leave you with my old stand-by to welcome this turn of the page.

New Years
by Dana Gioia

Let other mornings honor the miraculous.
Eternity has festivals enough.
This is the feast of our mortality,
The most mundane and human holiday.

On other days we misinterpret time,
Pretending that we live the present moment.
But can this blur, this smudgy in-between,
This tiny fissure where the future drips

Into the past, this flyspeck we call now
Be our true habitat? The present is
The leaky palm of water that we skim
From the swift, silent river slipping by.

The new year always brings us what we want
Simply by bringing us along—to see
A calendar with every day uncrossed,
A field of snow without a single footprint.

……May our footprints in 2025 be gentle…

Peace

Posted in Christmas with the Sonnystoners

Happy Christmas Eve!

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

We had a Super Christmas Celebration with Michael, Jess, Nova, and Samantha on Sunday, starting off our morning at Nellie’s North before heading back to Sonnystone to open presents. We then trooped off to see Moana 2 – which I really enjoyed, as it supports all my beliefs regarding Ancestors and their presence in our lives.

Now we’re ready to drive down to Nashville for the night, catching an early-morning flight to NYC. Very Excited, to say the least, and still watching out for Santa and his reindeer to fly by…

Wherever you are, whatever you celebrate, I am beaming Peace and Love to you — Reach out and grab it!

Peace

Posted in Special Edition

Yuletide Greetings, Friends!

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

According to National Geographic, The winter solstice marks the exact moment when half of Earth is tilted the farthest away from the sun. It usually happens on December 21 or 22, at the exact same second around the world. This year, that exact moment was 3:21 this morning, so Today is the Winter Solstice, celebrated by Humans since the dawn of time at such Sacred Spots as Newgrange, Stonehenge, and the Nasca Lines, where folks would gather to welcome back the sun.

How did the Ancients know it was the solstice? I don’t know, but I think it had to do with shadows. If you stand outside in the sun (hopefully it’s shining where you are) at noon today and look at your shadow, it will be the Longest Shadow you cast the entire year. I’m going to check that out today.

One of the most enduring Winter Celebrations is Yule, begun in Scandinavian countries but soon co-opted by the Brits and made familiar to us in their madrigal “Christmas” songs. To Welcome the Light, there was feasting and singing, and a Yule Log — the bigger the better – was lit outside, with the festivities lasting for several days.

We still write our wishes on a log and send them up in the smoke of our fireplace, and of course we’re feasting and singing. But for me, this is the New Year, the Beginning of a new chapter, and a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.

I’ll also be baking today! Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and snickerdoodles are the menu!

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

A jolly week…

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Ah, the joy of rising before the sun comes up! – Put that in the category of “things I never thought I would say”, but waking up at 5am several days this week to transport the Jr girls to their appointed destinations was kinda fun. Of course, I made up for the loss of my beauty sleep with a beauty nap, so don’t worry about me..

Last Sunday, Samantha and I attended the Eville Philharmonic Peppermint Pops concert and it was a real Winner! It’s been a while since I was able to sing-a-long with the Hallelujah Chorus and I gave it my all, singing all parts but in baritone range…I’m sure the folks in front of me were impressed!

Yesterday evening, we were treated to the Evansville Music Academy Winter recital, where Nova sang, “The Challenge”. She did a wonderful job and looked lovely.

Samantha came over today to lend a hand with cutting out some sugar cookies, and to play some Christmas duets with me. She was uncharacteristically not hungry, so I’ve had to bear the brunt of eating the cookies with little help…alas!

Next week, we’ll be having our Christmas with the Jrs–that’s right just Six More Days.! Time to pick up the pace, but maintain the Calm and Bright.

Peace

Posted in Sunday Report

17 more days

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

The decorating is done! Well, we still don’t have the ornaments on our main tree, just waiting for some grandie-type help with that, but the rest is in place.

We have added a tree this year, a $1 rummage-sale find. bought it for the lights, which we removed and put in Goldie, and because I have this box of vintage bulb ornaments that I knew would look great on an aluminum tree.

We had an aluminum tree when I was a youngster, from age 8 to probably 18! It was a full silver with the four-color lamp projecting red, green, gold, and blue on to it like a screen. I would spend hours staring at the tree, listening to the Goodyear Christmas Albums. I still listen to those albums, and still turn out all the lights except the Christmas tree and stare.

Our Mr&Mrs Claus collection is displayed in the diner this year. We’re always on the prowl for more, but it’s been a while since we found any.

After updating the decorations at the Eaton gravesite, we met up with cousins Lana and Charley for lunch yesterday. We’d hoped cousin Jeff would be able to tag along, but he was out of town. I forgot to get a selfie inside, so here we are grabbing a last-minute pic, saying, I can’t see a thing as we peer into the phone.

Today Samantha and I are off to hear the Evansville Philarmonic Orchestra’s Peppermint Pops! This will be her first encounter with Mayne tradition, taught well by my Dad, to arrive way too early, sit in your seat with a clear view of the stage until the last five minutes when Big & Tall guy with a large cranium supported by a thick neck sits directly in front of you and that’s all you see for the rest of the event. It’s a fact…

Next week we are running the Jojo and Grandpa Taxi service for the Jr. girls while their Mama is on a business trip to Maryland. Though we have to get up ungodly early, I’m pretty excited to be needed.

Peace

Posted in New York at Christmas 2023

Shortest Day, Longest Night

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Today is the Winter Solstice, and here in our neck of the Northern Hemisphere there will be 5 hours, 16 minutes of daylight — thankfully we’ve had some sun. Now begins the entrance of the Light, adding minutes of brightness each day until June. I always feel quite relieved at the Solstice, as if I’ve passed a test by still being in my right mind, such as it is. 

We flew from Nashville to NYC last Friday for our Annual Christmas in New York with the Jose’ Fam. On Saturday we headed to SoHo for some shopping, stopping first at a random restaurant, Jack’s Wife Freda. Great restaurant, if you ever have the chance. The girls picked out their Christmas presents, Melissa, Casey, and I went to a Maira Kalman pop-up, and we came back to the casa. 

That evening, the daughter and I went back to midtown and watched “& Juliet”. It was great, made you laugh, tap your toes, and even think. 

The next morning, we hit Radio City Music Hall for the 10am performance of the The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, viewing the show from our usual third mezzanine seats, sipping Jameson and ginger, singing along with Hark! the Herald! It was our 18th visit — would have been 20 except for the Covid — and it has gotten better each year, adding more great choreography. 

As is our tradition, we met the guys over at Bill’s Burgers, where they had already wrangled a big table. We had just ordered our food and gotten our drinks when Melissa got a phone call. I watched as she burst into tears, crying out Oh, No, and telling the person on the other end she’d be right there. She was melting with tears and grief as she told us that Michelle, Aunt Mich to the Emma and Eliza, had died sometime in the night. We knew little more than that for a long while after. Melissa took off to help Michelle’s husband and kids (who call her Aunt Mel). We sat there, stunned, and cried. Unbelievable.  · 

From Melissa’s FB page…

It is with deepest sadness and grief that we must share the news that Michelle Starrs Bissell, beloved mother, wife, daughter, and friend, passed away suddenly on the morning of December 17.

Anyone who knew Michelle knows that she was a beacon of kindness and love, a brilliant talent, an absolutely devoted mother, and so much more; a bright light to all she encountered. Please hold Abram, Ella, Ava, Susan, and all of Michelle’s dear family in your hearts; we appreciate your love & support as we begin to navigate this unthinkable loss.

Memorial arrangements/details to follow in the new year.

Yesterday was my daughter’s 49th birthday. She and her friend always celebrated together and had already planned to see some shows next month. Michelle would record “Happy Birthday” with her daughters and send it to her.  I wish I could take away her pain. Insert cliche’ here. 

The Wink grief had gotten me behind on Christmas gifts for the Jr girls, but we’re going to the Mall tomorrow for lunch and some shopping. We’re going to make snickerdoodles, too, so here comes the sugar-bingeing.

Sorry to bring ya down. I’m working on getting back up.

Peace

Posted in Christmas with the Sonnystoners

My Annual Appeal for Peace On Earth

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

The shepherds didn’t hear the angels say “Merry Christmas”, they heard them sing of Peace On Earth, Goodwill toward All. I’m no angel, but All I want for Christmas — Every Christmas – is Peace…

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem
By Dr. Maya Angelou

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes
And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.
Flood waters await us in our avenues.

Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche
Over unprotected villages.
The sky slips low and grey and threatening.

We question ourselves.
What have we done to so affront nature?
We worry God.
Are you there? Are you there really?
Does the covenant you made with us still hold?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.

Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you, to stay a while with us.
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Non-Believers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.

I Still Have that Dream; please Dream it with me! We are so Powerful when we are Together!

I have a dream that one day men will rise up and come to see that they are made to live together as brothers. I still have a dream this morning that one day every Negro in this country, every colored person in the world, will be judged on the basis of the content of his character rather than the color of his skin, and every man will respect the dignity and worth of human personality.

I still have a dream that one day the idle industries of Appalachia will be revitalized, and the empty stomachs of Mississippi will be filled, and brotherhood will be more than a few words at the end of a prayer, but rather the first order of business on every legislative agenda.

I still have a dream today that one day justice will roll down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. I still have a dream today that in all of our state houses and city halls men will be elected to go there who will do justly and love mercy and walk humbly with their God.

I still have a dream today that one day war will come to an end, that men will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, that nations will no longer rise up against nations, neither will they study war any more.

I still have a dream today that one day the lamb and the lion will lie down together and every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.

I still have a dream today that one day every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill will be made low, the rough places will be made smooth and the crooked places straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

I still have a dream that with this faith we will be able to adjourn the councils of despair and bring new light into the dark chambers of pessimism. With this faith we will be able to speed up the day when there will be peace on earth and good will toward men.

It will be a glorious day, the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy.

….Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

May your Day be Merry and Bright!

Peace…

Posted in The Way-Back Machine

Spirits of Christmases Past: 2016

Posted on by Jo Mayne Casey

Casey retired on December 16, 2016 and I was in NYC at the time, enjoying my last solo visit…

Grandie #4, Samantha, was born in February, 2015, but 2016 was the first Christmas she was fully interactive… As we began our New Way of Living, she was almost 2, already talking up a storm…

Step into the WayBack Machine, set the dial to 2016…

CHRISTMAS WITH THE SONNYSTONERS

A last hurrah to Christmas 2016

Date: December 28, 2016 Author: Jo Mayne Casey

Our plans to drive to NYC on Christmas Day were unavoidably changed, but that’s okay.  We’re free, now, to come and go as we please.  Here at Sonnystone, we’re still walking around going, wow you really don’t have to go to work, as we do the same old things we’d always do…put away the decorations, bring in the firewood (though it’s been unseasonably warm), and eat up the leftovers.

The Leftovers are from our Christmas Eve get-together with the Jrs.  Olivia and Samantha spent the night with us on the 23rd, and we met up with their parents for breakfast the next morning at IHOP.  (good enough, but I wish Eville had more diners)   Returning to the Acres, we quickly got down to serious christmas business:

Opening presents…

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Playing with new toys…

Not just New toys, but old games, too…

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New toys are great, but Samantha currently loves the harmonica the best.  Since she figured out how to make music with it a couple of months ago, she comes in pointing and asking  for it every visit.  She insists that I play one with her, and we’re quite a duo, but with or without me, she doesn’t let go of her blues harp.

We’ve got it all put away now and we’re busy working on the laundry room remodel…wait, did I say We?  I’m still putting everything back where it was (where was it?) before the holidaze, planning some trips, and vowing to not make any resolutions this year…like I never do.  

© 2020 THE NEWS FROM SONNYSTONE ACRES

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All