An Unexpected Gathering. Involving A Minx.
The back story:
1992. An event almost destroyed me.
1996. In April I was homeless.
That month I left Newport, Rhode Island, with a backpack. I had no idea of where I would end up. I was, as I thought about it, a feather on the wind of god.
In June I learned about a speck of a town in rural Kansas which was, reportedly, rebuilding a ghost town along ecological principals. This sounded perfect and I reached out.
Calling a phone number I found, a bored-sounding young woman asked about my qualifications.
“I’m a skilled draftsman, architectural designer, and I can also do plumbing, electrical, gardening, painting, and carpentry.”
Pause. “Oh, thank goodness you’re not another massuse. Yes, PLEASE come and call this number and ask for Emily.” The number was provided.
I called. And Emily invited me to rural Kansas.
2023. For months my friend Susi has been tantalizing me with a plan to bring two people to the Cross House: Emily and Elaine.
Yes, that Emily. On July 5th, 1996 I had arrived on a bicycle in a small rural Kansas town (Matfield Green) and met Emily and, later that day, Elaine. Elaine soon hired me to renovate her house in Matfield Green using salvaged materials and insulating with straw.
But, years later our lives diverged and we’ve not seen each for a great long time. Twenty-seven years after arriving in Kansas, Susi wanted a reunion.
The plan was that Susi and her guests would arrive at 11AM, and that they would get a quick tour before we settled in the parlor to get aquatinted again. It was expected that they would depart around 12 or 12:30. I was looking forward to the encounter.
But…drum roll, please…this is sooooooooo not what happened. All because of a minx.
Susi arrived a bit early and I met her at her car. She brought a bunch of food. Oh! We came into the dining room and she pulled out of her magical hat bowl after bowl of delectable things to devour. Oh! She also brought out…oh, the horror…paper plates and plastic utensils.
I slapped away these offending items and began grabbing from the china cabinet china plates and china bowls and, from the butler’s pantry, crystal water glasses. Placemats were also rounded up as well as cotton napkins. In a flurry I set the table for four.
“I think there might be two more guests though,” Susi calmly announced.
OK! Two more place settings were created. So, six for lunch.
Others started arriving, all bringing more food. Oh! As well as…oh, the horror…more paper plates and plastic utensils, all of which I slapped away.
When a bottle of wine appeared, crystal wine glasses were added to the table settings.
“I think there might be two more guests though,” Susi calmly announced.
OK! Two more place settings were created. So, eight for lunch. Three along each side of the table, and one at each end. No problem!
“I think there might be, ahh, two more guests though,” Susi calmly announced.
OK! Two more place settings were created. So, ten for lunch! Three along each side of the table, and two at each end. No problem!
Even though the AC was going full blast I was now dripping with sweat. My life had, quite unexpectedly, become overtaken and consumed by china, flatware, placemats, napkins, and crystal. Yes, I am that gay.
When Emily and Elaine arrived I gave each a quick hug before resuming my command performance.
With ten people now milling about…we sat. And had a great time. I was highly pleased when I overheard several guests comment, with evident pleasure, how elegant everything was. “I love this!”
Anne took this picture. Elaine is to my right. Emily is far right. Susi is in the white top. I will update this image when I can confirm other names!
We all then gathered for a tour of the house which everybody seemed to enjoy. Well, I do give a good tour. A little after 5PM everybody save Susi departed and I was able to give Emily and Elaine a long hug. The two changed my life.
Susie stayed until 7PM. She laughed off my scolding. “You minx! You knew all along that TEN people would be coming by and that it would consume much of my day!”
Her smile broad, she replied: “Yeh. But I was afraid you would panic if I told you the truth.”
Well, what choice did I have but to forgive such presumptions! For, I had a great time and Susi also came with a gift…
…a hand-made tile by Susi with…drum roll, please…BATS! I adore adore adore this treasure. This is the third artwork of bats in the house by Susi. Long-term readers of this blog will understand the bat significance.
A big hug to all, and a special hug to Emily and Elaine.
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That was wonderful! Kudos to Susi for knowing how to keep you from worrying. I love the bats.
BTW Ross, I began to think Gandolf was going show up, so count your blessings.
How fun for you. Well, fun in the end after resetting the table several times. Doesn’t it feel great to be able to whip out service for 10 in a dining room that can accommodate them? What a great way to spend a day off and you certainly deserve a day off. Days in fact.
Did you set an extra plate for Elijah?
That is a wonderful tile. The design and glazing are just delightful. Bat girl has friends now.
I don’t know, Ross, you can’t be THAT gay, there aren’t candles on the table!!!!!!! Besides, having china, silver, and crystal are nescessities in my book. Especially the USING of said items!
You had the kind of day that I love, a small group of friends having fun yakking and eating. It just doesn’t get better than that!
I just realized that I don’t know if you’re supposed to have candles with a day-time meal on china. Hmmmm……
Julie, yes, I am…of course…that gay. Look closely at the image. There are three candles in the center of the table. Of course, dahlink!
Love, love, love that you got to throw a party with dear friends (and get a much needed break)! And to be gifted with your beloved bats is just icing on the cake. Bats symbolize very good luck and fortune. How perfect!
The feeling of uncertainty with the sudden lifestyle change must be very scary. Welcome home to good friends, and fancy meals.
Susi was playing upon you the trick that Gandalf played on Beorn in The Hobbit!
What a delightful interlude after working so hard on the necessary carriage house renovations. Sounds like great fun. Young people don’t buy good china when they get married, they are missing out. The dining room with the fireplace, built in china cabinet and chandelier in view is elegant and it’s not even finished yet. The tile is precious coming from a good friend. Cheers!
Love seeing you at the table having a grand time!!
I love seeing the house come alive with people, food, drink and good times! I ran into my friend Nancy Marshall (opposite of Susi) at Home Depot yesterday. She was telling me about the visit to your house. I had no idea that was her in the photo! She loved the tour and the day at 526. Hope to see you again soon.
I did so enjoy the day with Ross and friends, as well as seeing you and Phyllis in Lawrence. What fun to see the pictures of you, your young family and then the reunions. The house Rob and I shared in our earlier life was torn down, despite its historical significance. For Ross to take on this re-creation of the Cross house is a gift to treasure.
I attended that elegant, entertaining, delicious lunch where creative folks told wonderful stories. Thank you Ross, Susi and all.
Thank you, Nancy! It was so very unexpected but so very enjoyable!