Much Ado
August 23 was full of errands and then a trip to my brothers. His roommate, Karen, took brother James and I to Lebanon to meet our cousin Ted. Ted and I were born a day apart in the same hospital in Benham KY. He has been an electrician, then worked for Kentucky Power & Light and retired to a several acres (complete with five cows!) in Cookville.
The next morning Ted, James and I went to Columbus OH for the memorial service for our last aunt (sorta). THE last aunt (Ruth) is still with us in Texas but has dementia and her niece doesn't encourage contact. The aunt Ruth we were going to Columbus for and Texas aunt Ruth were born on the same day and married brothers. Both were good women and important in my growing up.
Columbus aunt Ruth is the focus of this saga. She and uncle Bob were married long ago. Our mother said when Bob and Ruth were married they came by our parents house and were going to play cards but our grandmother Martha knocked on the door. Although they were adults the cards were put away because Martha thought all card playing was sinful. In any case, Bob was in WWII and then went to Columbus with a WWII buddy and worked for years in the insurance business. Ruth worked too and one of the jobs she had was at the historical museum. As our mother said, "She had a head full of sense," as well as being kind and a delight to be with. She and Bob worked the crossword puzzle together every day. They had three sons, Glenn Douglas, Gary Dean, and Gregory Dennis, all successful.
We checked in to a La Quinta and went down High Street. When Kirk was at Kenyon we had an afternoon on High Street that I really enjoyed...it's a college hangout type street. I was impressed with a bar that had the typical acoustical tile ceiling, but art had been done on them. Many were team/sports related, so I note the ones that were in honor of someone's death or other interesting change.
We went to a restaurant on High Street I hadn't tried, Buca di Beppo. Each person buys a big bowl of pasta to share with the group. Quite interesting.
In my Lynetta way I wound up talking to the people at the table next door. I told them how much I enjoyed going to Germantown and then couldn't remember the word "topiary" I enjoyed so much! I have seen single topic topiaries such as the buffalo on Hillsboro Road, but the Columbus one is of Seurat's art piece of a group looking at boaters. In ending our conversation the wife told me her husband is Canadian and is thinking of applying for citizenship. I've heard so much about the supportiveness of Canadians for immigrants I advised him to stay in Canada until this horrid period here blows over.
In any case, while it is a double-edged sword to attend a funeral, it was good to see cousins rarely seen under other circumstances. Cousin Wanda, now the oldest of the clan, told stories of how Aunt Ruth had taken her in and (my words!) citified her and helped her find a job. Glenn told some funny stories before cousin Ryan took over.
We all went to Ruth and Bob's favorite greasy spoon for more story telling and catching up. I have no clue about the latest generations I am sorry to say. We're really spread out.
The next day we went to the cemetery. Ted wanted to get there early so I had time to go poke around. This facility has only markers on the ground for easier upkeep. The ones of young children made me sad, of course.
My favorite marker had a woman's name and the phrase, "Her records are in heaven." Nothing like a mystery. Are these phonographs? Her tax payments? Fan letters or letters from a religious authority stating how she should be in heaven? The mind boggles!