Dear Readers,

I get up and breathe the air of Cramer Hill retirement.  Bliss.   Should I go to the KROC CENTER just blocks away and walk in the pool?  Should I tackle the declutterment of the basement? Or, should I have a cup of tea and an egg with my new book?

You got it. I ‘m halfway through MAEVE IN AMERICA, ESSAYS BY A GIRL FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE, by Maeve Higgins.  It’s funny with a bit of serious thrown in.

Remember when you were in school and things were funny? Everyone told jokes?  You couldn’t stop laughing at the dinner table and your dad would say, “What’s so funny?”  I miss those days. The world is grim now.  So–please.  I love funny.

Funny happens especially with my grandchildren–needless to say, they are the dearest, sweetest, cutest, yummiest and funniest children on God’s green earth!  You could take that with a grain of salt because it’s a grandmother’s perspective.  Oh, you already knew that.  Sorry.

The other day I was playing “dolls” with my three-year-old granddaughter while her almost eight-month-old brother watched us.  He clutched his soft rabbit and listened to us act out scenarios that we made up on the spot.

Nora twirled Barbie who was wearing a fancy purple dress and no shoes.  She held her up, “She is the mother and she is taking her daughters to soccer practice.”

The daughters were tiny LOL dolls.  “We can’t find our soccer shoes. I mean, cleats.”  (I was the voice for the daughters.)

Soccer Mom Barbie (AKA Nora) said, “Look in your closet.  Hurry up. Don’t be late.”

In the imaginary car they go with their imaginary soccer ball, cleats and shin guards.

Nora looks around the room and Baby Nate loses his beloved stuffed rabbit because the rabbit must be the soccer coach.  His sister pops a pacifier in his mouth and Nate is good with that. Perhaps he figures there must be a reason that his friend was snatched away from him.  He’s an optimistic little chap even at this tender age.

“All right, get in line.  Pay attention.  No looking at birds in the sky nor squirrels in trees.  Keep your eye on the ball.”  I’m Soccer Coach Rabbit’s voice.   I say it sternly in my former teacher voice.

The two LOL dolls and elegant Barbie mom laugh appropriately.  I feel gratified at my humor being appreciated.  Thank you, Nora.

Then!  Soccer Mom Barbie lunges at the Soccer Coach Rabbit.  Does she feel that he spoke too harshly to the team?  What is this all about?  I remember sports moms–they can get excited.

Soccer Coach Rabbit falls back as the elegant soccer mom kisses him again and again.  “I love you!  I love you!  I love you!”

What could a grandmother say?

“Uh, are they married?”

Nora states, “Yes.  They had a wedding.”

Aaah, she’s going to be a writer.

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Love from Camden resident,

Marguerite (Wunsch) Ferra

P.S.  I love to receive comments.  AND!!!!!!

I hope to see you at our 50th class reunion.  You can tell me about your kids, grandkids, neighbors, dogs, cats, birds or pet rocks.  OR— BRING A JOKE FOR ME!

 Here’s the info: October 20th, Saturday night at Braddock’s Tavern. 39 South Main Street, Medford, NJ 08055  6:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. $75 for buffet and dancing.  Cash bar.  Check payable to Woodrow Wilson 50th Reunion.  Send to Alberta Wolf, 25 Bear Head Rd., Medford, NJ  08055.  Please send by October 5th.

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