On the plane home from the most wonderful week-end imaginable, I thought of my 80 years of birthdays. I have to say that two presented themselves as the most memorable. When I was seven years old and in school my mother who never came to school for anything because parents didn't do that back then, appeared at my classroom door with a shopping basket of popcorn on one arm and a platter of cupcakes in the other hand. The class erupted, as seven year olds will do, and the party started. What a glorious day that was and what a treat for me because work was so important to my parents and they were good at it. (They both worked at the McCoy Pottery which is a famous collecting name in antiques.) Mary Tapman and I had been in the restroom earlier in the day and she whispered that I was to have a party and I had NO idea what she was talking about. It was like someone saying there really is no Santa and then there he is with a load of popcorn and cake!
The second most memorable birthday lasted a shade longer, four days to be exact. Everyone was at the Claiborne Mansion when Beth and I arrived. They had been given their instructions on how to behave by my friend and Mansion owner, Cloe. They were not to go near Doris' lemon tree until she arrived. They were not to do anything that she would not approve of and so they teased me the entire four days for being 'teacher's pet', so to speak. I did not care, after all, Cloe and I are BFFs. Beth and I had the piano suite on the main floor because Cloe did not want me mounting the stairs and it was glorious. We left our bags in the suite and headed to the pool and lemon tree area and learned, quickly, the party had already started. We were so loud that the cats scrambled and the birds stopped singing and Cloe began to grimace. But we soon won her over and she plied us with stories for the entire trip and most of us enjoyed them. In fact, by the end we were all crying because we had to leave her and the Mansion and each others company.
After an afternoon of revelry, we got dressed for dinner and the promise of dancing and bowling at Rock and Bowl.
90° West, The Hottest Modern Country Band in the South!
was playing there. They have opened for many, many famous acts and I have to say they were fabulous. By the end of the night I was throwing them kisses and asking if I was too old to be a Roadie... the sisters had to drag me away. I can't help it, I love rock and roll .Saturday morning we had a Bloody Mary merry breakfast at the Broken Egg. There were ten of us for breakfast, the others could not move after the Rock and Bowl experience. Off and on there were fourteen or fifteen at various events. At 2:00 we had reservations for high tea at Windsor Court. The set up was special and the harp player behind my chair played happy birthday for me. Lovely and elegant--we had a variety of events as you can tell. One might think that to be enough eating for the day, but NOOOOOOOOOOO. We had reservations for dinner at the loudest restaurant in the world; seriously, I have excellent hearing and only the excellent food kept me in my seat. I have never been in a place where people and music were so loud and disturbing. The food was glorious and the company of fourteen loved ones made up for the ambiance and decor...but talking was impossible, eating? sure. Andy placed a notice under one of the pictures (he was home with the dogs and Mike and Nate) asking when we were going to stop eating and drinking and I answered, "no time soon, Andy."
Sunday morning I slept in and then had coffee in the courtyard and a visit with Cloe. That wonderful woman has had a life, believe you me. The Cincy ladies left because they had been in New Orleans for a few days ahead of the parties. Beth and I hung out in the sun, Johnna and Angela went to gamble and explore and about 4:00 we headed to Beth's mothers for a lovely dinner where many of the New Orleans family gathered. What a wonderful, wonderful evening we had there.
Monday Beth and I slept in and woke up to coffee and cake outside our door. I have teased the other party people about that to no end. (They never got that treatment.) No doubt about it, I am Cloe's favorite and don't you forget it, girls!
I will try to get the pictures on, but you know how that usually goes if you have read this blog. Many pictures are on my Facebook, however, if you are interested.
Have a wonderful week.
Doris
