“Tulips can captivate the world
and sweep away the winter blues.
Opening morning chalices, they sparkle
Like the diamond dew.”
By Gale Sweeney
Our tulips are almost spent, but Hubby has some great photos of them. Our hot-pink azalea bush, at the corner of our yard, is magnificent. We have two pink azaleas along the back fence, given to us by Hubby’s sister Peg and niece Terri. The plants did not do well last year, but they look pretty good this year. Last Saturday, Hubby went outside with several gallons of water, mixed with fish fertilizer, for them. They probably will perk up even more now with the fertilizer.
I must fill you in on Mother’s Day. Because some of our family sleeps late on Sunday or they participate in their church service, we decided that we would meet everyone at 3:30 p.m. for dinner. About 3:15 p.m., son Paul called to say that the restaurant we had chosen had a sign on the door that they would be closed at 4 p.m. on Mother’s Day. Traffic that day was tough, both on Morrissey Blvd and Gallivan Blvd. We decided we had better stay close to home to find another restaurant.
We had eaten at Sonny’s before and the food was good, so we decided we’d go there. Hubby, daughter Sue, son Paul, son-in-law David, granddaughter Erin, and I were welcomed by our waitress with a “Happy Mother’s Day.” Daughter Jeanne was sick as she had been the previous day when she was not able to attend a family funeral. Grandson Brendan had to work. Daughter-in-law Alex was, of course, with her wonderful Mom Sara.
Everyone poured over the menu. I saw the word lasagna and was hooked. Granddaughter Erin ordered the chicken, ziti, and broccoli, which is one of her Auntie Sue’s favorite dishes. We never heard a sound from Hubby as he enjoyed his roast beef dinner. The waitress even gave him the little end pieces of the beef to take home for our outdoor cat Louie.
As we laughed and joked at the table, I brought out two boxes of Devil Dogs. (I didn’t think it would be appropriate to bring a cake into a restaurant.) I gave one to each of us and one for Jeanne, one for Brendan, and one for Alex. Erin had come home from college that weekend so I gave her two to give her energy to unpack all her belongings. She just had to return to school on Monday to take her final exam.
When we went outside to get in our cars, we noticed how hot the afternoon had become. When we arrived home, who would come to greet us but Louie, the cat. Hubby hurried inside, got a paper plate, and put the remnants of his roast beef dinner down on the porch for Louie. Later that evening, I swear that both Louie and Hubby had smiles on their faces. They both love roast beef.
I was so sorry to find out that Mary (Wall) Puddister had passed away on Apr. 13. She was the wife of William and the mother of William, Thomas, and Paul. She was the grandmother of six and the great grandmother of four. She was the sister of the late Margaret, Joseph, and Maurice “Mo” Wall. Mary was also a member of the Pope’s Hill Neighborhood Association for years. If you see Bill at work, extend your sympathy to him. Our family sends its belated sympathy to Mary’s family, especially to our friend Bill.
I was also sorry to read that Carol Ann Callanan died on Apr. 24, at the age of 55. She was the daughter of Charlie and Joan Callanan. She was the mother of Jennifer Callanan and the Mimi of Andrew, Matthew, and Steven Jr. She was the sister of Chuckie Callanan and Mary Sue Moore; she was the fiancée of Wayne McCoy. Donations may be made to St. Ann’s Color Guard, 9 Blackwell St., Dor.,02122.
We’ve also had a death in our extended family. Hubby’s nephew Steve and his wife Judi lost her Mom, Sheila Harriman, unexpectedly, on May 4. I liked to chat with Sheila at the family parties held at Steve and Judi’s home. She was an avid reader. She would give her books to our niece Terri after she had read them. Terri would read the ones she wanted and would then give them all to me. This was when St. Brendan’s School had the “Got Books” container outside school. When the container was full, the school would get some money. Sheila and Terri helped the school a great deal. I send the sympathy of all our family to her daughters Pam and Judi, to their husbands, Paul and Steve, and to her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, and to her many nieces and nephews.
In the mail the other day, Hubby, daughter Sue, and I received a post card, asking that we keep free Sat. evening, June 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. Our longtime friend Sr. Elizabeth Calcagni will be honored that evening for her 42 years of service to the children of Harbor Point, Dorchester, Greater Boston, and to the final graduating class of the Notre Dame Montessori School. The post card asks that we consider a donation to the Sister Elizabeth Calcagni Scholarship Fund. A formal invitation will soon be sent. Graduates and their families are urged to attend. For info and to RSVP : ndmscelebration@gmail.com.
The other evening, I met our friend Kathi Sullivan at the Irish Social Club. I asked what she was involved in right now. She told me that she is involved with inviting everyone to a Benefit Dance for the SMA Fathers of Dedham. The SMA Fathers serve the African Missions. The dance will be held on Sat., May 30, from 8 p.m. to midnight, at the Irish Social Club on Park St. in West Roxbury. The first prize in the raffle is a round trip to Ireland for 2, arranged by Crystal Travel. (I’ll be sure to clear our calendar if Hubby or I win.) The second prize is two nights’ stay at the Irish Village on Cape Cod. (We can fit that into our schedule, also.) The third prize is a kitchen-sized flat-screen TV. (Out would go our old 12” black and white kitchen TV.) We’ll just have to go. The Andy Healy Band will provide the music. Admission is only $10. Call Kathi at 781-329-0584 or Fr. Darcy at 781-326-3288.
Also in the mail we received a letter from the president of Boston’s County Mayo Association, Evelyn Fennessy. She invited all of us members to the annual Memorial Mass in memory of deceased members of the association. Fr. Peter Nolan of the Holy Ghost Fathers will, once again, celebrate the Mass. Fr. Peter is currently at St. Theresa of Avila Parish in West Roxbury. The Mayo Mass will be celebrated on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 24, at 11 a.m. If it is a good day, there is nothing prettier than the grounds of the Irish Cultural Centre, in Canton. When the Mass is over, we often look out the windows and watch kids playing soccer. A lunch is provided after the Mass. I met President Evelyn at the Irish Social Club the other evening and told her that Hubby and I would be there. Hubby will bring his camera.
What a great time Hubby, daughter Sue, and I had at the Parade of Seniors luncheon, held at Florian Hall, on Thurs. afternoon, May 14. (Sue had volunteered to help.) Usually I sit with my pal Loretta at one of the two check-in tables. This year, two new volunteers were at the other table so Loretta was asked to sit with them because she has done the check-in so well for many years. Daughter Sue was asked to help me at the other check-in table. Things moved along beautifully and very soon the many seniors in the lobby were inside the hall, sitting at their tables. Paul Nutting and Millie Rooney, who were in charge of the senior luncheon, welcomed everyone to the event. Joe and Carol Chaisson, who had presided over the event for years, were there, mingling with the seniors. I understand that Carol chose to help by remaining in charge of the tickets and sending them out. (She did a grand job, as always.) There will be more about the Dorchester Parade of Seniors Luncheon in next week’s paper.
I loved this saying, which is very appropriate for the upcoming Memorial Day: “The land of the free because of the brave!”
The following quote is an encouraging one: “The best ideas come after you think you’ve run out of them.”
