Back in 2002 when I was still married and our family lived in The Preserve, my mom's older sister came for a visit for Justin's confirmation. Aunt Marie was quite a character, I really got a kick out of her. This was her first visit to FL, and quite possibly the furthest away from home than she'd ever been. It was great fun having her because this trip was so special to her, all that we did with and for her being greatly appreciated.
One reason she has been on my mind lately is because I had to search through old photos to find a baby picture of myself for a Ladies' Group event. In that search I found a photo of Mom and Auntie Marie looking at a scrapbook together at a picnic we'd had. It was the first scrapbook I'd ever completed, one made for my Auntie about her visit to FL. It was special to me and I hope it was to her, as well.
My friend posted on FB this a.m. about being lulled to sleep by the frogs croaking out in the yard. That, too, reminded me of Auntie Marie. When Auntie was here in Orange Park, she was simply blown away by the racket the frogs made. They especially enjoyed our pond which was still getting finishing touches put on it before the confirmation party. She would go onto the back patio to listen to them start their singing and then to hear them end their song as abruptly as they'd begun. Once when talking with her daughter in WI on the phone, Auntie took the phone outside so Barbie could hear the frogs, who were, of course, quiet. So my auntie tried to coax them into singing for my cousin to hear. She'd go, "Ribbit! Ribbit" and wait for them to join her. They failed to join her song but she kept it up. Talk about funny!!
Barbie with Auntie, Justin, and me in 2011
Because work was still going on outdoors to ready our property for the pending celebration for Justin's confirmation, workman would be wandering around outside the windows. Auntie and Mom would sit at the table in the dinette and watch all the activity from there. Mom knew our guys, especially Michael, who'd been with us for a while already. He was around so frequently that the ladies got used to having him there. At one point when my relatives started to arrive, my brother-in-law looked up and saw this man in our yard. He wondered who it was and Auntie said, matter-of-factly, "Oh, that's Michael, the houseboy..." To this day I cannot think of Michael without thinking 'the houseboy'! He got married a couple weeks ago, which brought my auntie's description of him to mind yet again. Isn't it funny how these thoughts come in groups?
