The Day I Heard Mary Died
Beauty, Family, Photography, Poetry | Posted by Jannie on 23 July 2011 @ 11:41 AM 34 Comments
long after I got Jim’s call at the Krispy Kreme
long after Kalyani was there to catch my fall
I wrote a letter to Aunt Sue on my best stationery.
No sense having all those real-pressed-flower
fine cotton papers just hanging around in boxes
with no one getting any enjoyment out of them.
Aunt Sue has recently gone deaf
and I miss our phone calls.
She is Dad’s “baby” sister
for whom yours truly is named.
Dad also has one brother living,
Uncle Ken, on the adjacent farm
in the Canadian Maritimes
Aunt Sue lives near Toronto.
Uncle Wes, Uncle Wayne, Aunt Jean, Aunt Bess and Aunt Day have all passed on.
Used the last of my old humming bird stamps on her letter.
And that return address label.
I got the Smiley Face stickers as a surprise in a
Wonderful Package from this fine fine lady.
I’ll explain them in a post here one day.
So, one off my list, whooooohoooo. I’m on letters-writing fire now, people!!
This is Jo’s card I’m still writing on…
Pretty, eh? On linen-laid cotton.
Raoul Dufy’s “The Baie des Anges at Nice” — 1926.
Remember Jo — my “panpal” since 1994?
Remember us at that pub in England in 1999?
And here we are with her daughter Pascell, the first time they came to Texas…
What year was that, Jo? 1997? ‘98?
And Jo recently…
And after I was home from writing Aunt Sue’s letter that day I snapped this with my iPhone…
Mieshka had been with us 2 days.
There you have it for today.
With love, from Jannie Sue Muffin.
P.S. I see I actually had the date wrong on Aunt Sue’s letter. That Friday was really the 15th, not the 16th.
On 23 July 2011 at 12:54 pm Jennifer Susannah Devore said,
C’est si belle, Mlle. Jannie Sue
How it compounds the pain to learn of the death of a loved one whilst out and about on Jannie’s Excellent Donut Adventure. Similarly, I was mid-pint at the Salty Dog Cafe in Homer, Alaska when I learned of the death of my Aunt Neva … to wit, I, too, wrote a letter, but then and there on the sticky bar of the Salty Dog, on a Homer Spit carte-postale. No pressed flowers la-bas! (I believe my Viking even snapped a pic of my doing so.) Les lettres et les cartes-postales sont parfaites, n’est-ce pas?
On a more aesthetic note, j’adore the painting of la Baie des Anges. I have spent many a glorious night en Nice, on this particular spot; art never does it justice, but it’s always lovely to see, especially Dufy!!!! Quelle belle peinture!
Salut, doll!!
On 23 July 2011 at 12:59 pm Daisy said,
That pool shot looks lovely. Your stationery is indeed beautiful. I’m sure those with whom you correspond will be thrilled to hear from dear Jannie. Enjoy these summer days! They are going by fast!
Hugs from Daisy.
On 23 July 2011 at 1:31 pm Jannie said,
Dearest Jennifer Susannah Devore, O ye globe-trotting and girl-about-culture friend. I have only been as far south as Lyon, but since I’m planning on France, Italy and Greece in 2013, maybe I’ll get to Nice and such. Kelly is quite intrigued by Monte Carlo too. Jo has enjoyed Nice, so I thought of here when I saw that card. Homer, Alaska. Hope to experience Alaska one day too. Aunts are very dear indeed. As are special Vikings and Rose Bringing carpenter-car guys. Salut to YOU, Cherie, who art on my New Letters List.
Dearest Daisy, I’m now drinking fresh-squeezed orange juice, holy cow it’s good!! Enjoy your days too. Still thinking about your amazing Hockington trip photos post — what a gorgeous area!! Heading to the pool later today. Got that particular stationery at a store called “The Teazer” in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia in 1994. http://theteazer.com/ FABULOUS store!!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
On 23 July 2011 at 4:49 pm Lynn said,
Oh Jannie Muffin – you gave me a shout out – how lovely. I’m glad you are enjoying the stickers.
And how especially lovely that you used the good stationary – your aunt will love that letter. And your friend Mary would love this tribute.
xoxoxo
On 24 July 2011 at 3:30 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. great mix of fun items .. so glad some of your large family is still alive .. and I’d love to hear more about your farm .. but that’s me!
Stationery with your pressed flowers are just beautiful .. and your words always bring something extra to letters – I should know .. I’ve had a few …
I could do with a few days by the pool … I think I’d just sleep .. happy days and enjoy the rest of the time singing, recording and writing .. cheers for now .. Hilary xoxo
On 24 July 2011 at 11:39 am secret agent woman said,
One thing I miss most about both my grandmother and my great-aunt is our regular exchange of letters. I always loved to see one in the mailbox, and wrote to them both weekly.
On 24 July 2011 at 7:48 pm cloudia said,
Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
>
>
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On 24 July 2011 at 8:30 pm Glenn Buttkus said,
Prayers, salutations, white light, and
Funster-love, all bundled oh so
delicately with that Jannie flourish,
and off to auntie, with Mary still on
your mind, in your heart.
Your images are still scrumptious
and your affection infectious,
and thanks for reminding us
that there is nothing to lovely
as a new kitten in the crib;
Mieshka Funster will be such a
welcome addition to the Funsterland
follies, enit?
On 25 July 2011 at 8:49 am Jannie said,
Hey, Dearest Peeps.
I am diving into songland today.
So I’ll see y’all tomorrow!!
xoxxoxo
On 25 July 2011 at 12:27 pm Jo Mifflin said,
BOO
On 25 July 2011 at 1:29 pm Aimee said,
Very nice stationary! I hope Aunt Sue enjoys her letter.
On 25 July 2011 at 2:43 pm Sara healy said,
Jannie,
The letters you are writing are beautiful. I love the flowers in the first one and the painting in the second. Writing letters is almost a forgotten skill. It’s nice to see you doing this. Whenever I get pretty paper like what you made, I’m always afraid I’ll mess it up when I write. Yet, I have a scrapbook of my mom’s which has letters like this and they were written at time when people didn’t have computers or spell check. Cross-outs were done often,
I enjoyed this post. It has a comforting feel to it. Thanks:~)
On 26 July 2011 at 12:30 am Lane Savant said,
Hi Jannie, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doin’. How’re ya doin? Can’t stay, gotta run. ‘Bye
On 27 July 2011 at 12:11 am Talon said,
Guess what!!??? YOU are awesome, Jannie! xxx
On 27 July 2011 at 1:49 pm Jannie said,
Boo to all you too!!
Please forgive me for being away from here.
Working hard this week to improve my songs.
Had another fun open mike last night.
You all are really really really REALLY awesome!!
Back to songs now… doing up a new chart for “Everybody’s Beautiful” 10th time’s the charm!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo
On 28 July 2011 at 4:30 am Jo Mifflin said,
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2283548332021&set=a.2039079540454.125842.1348245243&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2283548932036&set=a.2039079540454.125842.1348245243&type=1
OK… So I’m not sure if the above links have loaded properly, because to be perfectly honest I’m not a technical wizard, but I do hope so. These are two poor photos (I had to take the pics from my phone of very shiny photos) One is of the hotel myself & Andy stayed in when we went to Nice for our 40th birthdays back in 2004 & the other is of the view from our hotel window of nice & as you can see its the same view as the postcard I will be receiving from you
The hotel was called HOTEL SUISSE & the back hallway that lead you to all the rooms was a rock face, very beautiful.
The road that lead behind the hotel is the coastal road to Monte Carlo & as you know we drove there to watch the annual circus event that the Monaco Royals have once a year to raise money for under privileged children, it was amazing… Nice is a very wonderful place with gorgeous plazas with many bistros & the coastline is one of the most spectacular I have ever seen.
Love you & your smiley face… xoxoxox
On 28 July 2011 at 4:34 am Jo Mifflin said,
YAY IT WORKED… SOMETIMES I AMAZE MYSELF XxX
On 28 July 2011 at 10:51 am Jannie said,
Jo — You amaze me!! Love ya!
Here with Kelly at piano camp recording studio all day. She’s playing drums in a band!!
xoxoxooxoxo
On 28 July 2011 at 11:07 am Jannie said,
Dearest Lovely Jo — my technical wizard. You did GRRRRREAT on those links!! And your comment was in moderation. But I got to ya relatively quickly.
Do you have an iPhone 4. I just have the 3.
I’d like an iPad, tho.
Maybe the Monaco Bunch could just GIVE the underpriviliged kids some loot — they have billions.
I am wearing my brand-new $18 hat.
Now going back to Mary’s song.
You are AWESOMENESS Personified. Forever. And ever.
whooo.
hoooo.
oxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 29 July 2011 at 1:56 pm K said,
I love it!
On 29 July 2011 at 5:09 pm brian miller said,
i need to write letters…i miss letters…to feel the words someone wrote…i know she appreciates it and hope the little enjoys gymnastics…
On 29 July 2011 at 6:12 pm Belinda said,
Dear Jannie, thanks for reminding me about how much more valuable a hand-written letter is. I love the idea of a pen pal — the anticipation of a letter, maybe with pictures, definitely with inky words. As much as I appreciate social media, I romanticize writing on paper — something I only do when I don’t have an electronic device handy.
This is such a special way of remembering the day you heard Mary died. It touched me.
Hope you’re enjoying the songwriting mode…xx
On 29 July 2011 at 8:24 pm G-Man said,
Jannie…
Some people miss you.
On 30 July 2011 at 6:38 am SnaggleTooth said,
You are so good to keep up with the letters. Tough to miss out on the fun of the phone calls for you n Aunt Sue. Very pretty paper n stamps!
Such a beautiful day around you to hear such sad news too- Colors the memory of whole day a diffedrent hue, doesn’t it?
Meishka is so pretty all relaxed. great pics!
I hope the week has been going alright in that heat for you! Maybe you’re getting storm “Don” rain this week-end?
On 31 July 2011 at 3:15 am Alice Audrey said,
That is fantastic stationary, and a great response to the communication issues.
On 31 July 2011 at 6:23 am Dulce said,
Ah paper and all its forms is something these modern devices can never compete with… Loving every piece here
On 31 July 2011 at 1:01 pm Jo Mifflin said,
Yesterday was a marvellous day
Firstly – I went out for lunch with the poopster
It was a delight to see on the mat & amazing to read all your info, thank you bubba, you bought a smile to my face, I even giggled out load while sitting on my swing in the garden, what more could a girl ask for, lunch & drinky’s with poop, a brew in one hand, a long awaited letter from a wonderful mate in the other hand & the sun shinning down on me….. Thanx 4 the stickers too… My promise to you is that they will be on the next letter you receive from me, bet ya feeling lucky 
Lub lu xoxoxox And give my love to Jimmy & Kelly OX
Secondly – we had a couple of cheeky vodkas
Thirdly – There was a letter on my door mat when I got home from my lovely Jannie Bannie
So did I rip it open & read ??? NO !!! I put the kettle on to make a brew & while waiting I admired the most delightfully decorated envelope, mucho plenty stickers
Glad you like me dropping by
On 1 August 2011 at 10:40 am Jannie said,
Dear, Dear, Dear, Wonderful Peeps who are here when even I am not, because I’m caught up it seems in the wiles of summer, and not getting to this and your blogs as I intend.
Two more weeks til Kelly’s back in school. Another summer flying.
And such a sweet summer.
hot too. Think it’s going to be 108 a couple days this week.
Soooo.
Everybody, I do thank you all.
JO — BOO back to you!!
AIMEE — I still have to send the photos, but I have them ready now.
SARA — I did wite out a word in that letter, but you can hardly tell. Letters bring me comfort. Would you like one from me?
LANE — glad you popped in. Did you arrive here by bike?
TALON — Talon’s back!!! And I’ve been MIA. But I’m glad to see you again.
JO — shall we meet at a bistro there one day? FIrst of November would be nice in Nice, I do think.
K — Thank you.
BRIAN — she does love the gymnastics. I’m back in Studio this coming Thursday, so hoping to put her in camp tomorrow and Wednesday.
BELINDA — yes, my dear I freed up my stationery horad that day. Who will be next? I’ll see after Thursday, when my mind is not on chord charts.
G-MAN — and I miss some people — boy do I!! But I’ll be back in the blogging saddle again soon…
SNAGGLE — nope, no rain AT ALL. So dry. I’ll write another letter or two Friday at the swimming pool again. Great place to do it, under that shady spot. Away from the pool tho. Little ones can shake out that water as dogs do. yes, Mieshka is SO pretty. And such a scamp. She cracks me up.
ALICE AUDREY, yes it sucks that she has gone deaf, it was quite sudden. She may pull out of it. I hope so. I do miss our chats.
DULCE, yes I have such a lovely stash of papers — stashed no longer. And so much more wonderful stuff yet to discover in shops the world over.
JO — well that seems to have arrived rather quickly. whooooohooooooooooo. Did you like how there were a few little stars and smiley-faces missing??
Sounds like a right AWESOME day you had. I love days like that. What’s the Poop up to? Teaching ballet?? Love to all you guys too — especially YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
On 3 August 2011 at 6:47 pm moondustwriter said,
Dear Jannie
I think of all the people I know; you are the one who knows how to touch people to the heart – it might be a letter, it might be a song, or a tear you have shed
love to you Jim Kelly Blue bunny and Mieshka
I’ve been off the radar too – missing people like u!!!
On 4 August 2011 at 4:22 pm Alice Audrey said,
My MIL has gone deaf, but still tries to have conversations on the phone. I’ve tried to get her to go to email, even had some relatives set her up with computer and ISP and show her everything, but she has no interest and won’t do it.
On 5 August 2011 at 8:05 am farouk said,
i like the way you combine pictures with words Jannie
that was a real nice post
On 5 August 2011 at 9:40 am Jannie said,
Dearest Moondust Writer, aka Angel Sweetheart… ahhh, thanks dear lady. This was kind of a long and rambling post, as I look back on it. But kinda nice, I think. Thank you, my dear! I do love those pretty papers, even if my handwritting is not as neat as it once was. My fingers are much better with a computer keyboard now.
Dearest Alice Audrey, next summer I’m getting my folks a computer and I hope Mom will be open to learning such newfangledness. Dad will have to show her some things on it, as I’m sure he will be open to picking it up easily. Sorry to hear your MIL cannot hear so well now. Maybe she will catch on to e-mail!
Farouk, ahh, thanks so very much. And great to see you!! Im clicking over to your site, RIGHT NOW — even before I take another sip of this yummy coffee! Even before I check to see what Alice Audrey wrote on my previous post… So here I go to your blog…
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 14 August 2011 at 10:29 pm Alice Audrey said,
One can only hope.
On 15 August 2011 at 1:00 pm Jannie said,
Dearest Alice Audrey, hope springs eternal, so some smart person once said!
xooxoxxo