December Festivities

 

As usual, December festivities included the Chamber holiday mixer, United Democrats of Northwest Missouri dinner and the Sisters' Party.  

 

Chamber Party

Sister Dot was sick so Barney and I had to go  to the Chamber Party without her. *boo hoo*

Thanksgiving

Because Dot and Barney's home is on the Symphony Holiday Homes tour this year, I had Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Never before in my life had I prepared and hosted a Thanksgiving meal but I had so much fun that I have volunteered to do it again next year, including left-overs on Friday.

Art

 

"My Black Cat" was purchased by a Boehringer scientist who developed a vaccine for cats with diabetes. Makes me happy to know that "my cat" has a good home.

 

 

MWSU Convocation

Doris Kerns Goodwin was the guest speaker at this year's fall convocation at Missouri Western State University. I wasn't able to attend the morning speech but did go to the luncheon. Goodwin is the author of "Team of Rivals," a biography of Abraham Lincoln. The Steven Spielberg film "Lincoln" was based on Goodwin's book. 

 

Cousins Connect

My cousin in California, Donna Joyce Bush Karver, and her husband recently read a book about a Scottish family that immigrated to Utah in the 1800s. Her husband commented that the early McIntyre ancestors may have had a similar experience when coming to the United States. Knowing that I have been researching our family's history, Donna Joyce called me in late September and asked if she could visit me and discover her Missouri roots.

Donna Joyce and I have visited each other in the past so, of course, I said "sure," thinking that she meant to come next year in the spring or summer. But a few days later, she called again to ask when in THIS October would be the best time for her to come. *LOL* Actually, October is the best time to visit Northwest Missouri: crisp, clear mornings, pleasantly warm afternoons, and a hint of chill in the evenings. So, the timing was ideal for Joyce (as she is known in California) to connect with her Missouri cousins (me and sister Dot) and learn about her McIntyre ancestors.

The itinerary for the week focused on local and family history, including a trip to Dearborn, MO where our grandparents lived in the olden days. So, by the end of Donna Joyce's visit, we cousins had reinforced our shared connections.

Julia and Eugene's wedding

 



Cousin Joyce, my friend Joyce, Dorothy, Barney and I attended the re-enactment of the wedding of Julia Comstock and Eugene Field at the Christ Episcopal Church.

Afterwards was a wedding reception/dinner during which the audience tried to solve the mystery of the missing gold jewelry Field had intended to present to his bride.

Barney and Dorothy came to my house later for a drink with Cousin Joyce.