Massachusetts Museum with bathroom-challenged 17th Century house
“.. when I flew every Monday and returned home every Friday.” I explained to Nazy. “I don’t know how I did it.”
“I took you to the airport every Monday and picked you up every Friday,” Nazy retorted. “I don’t know why I did it.”
“It was more fun when I was traveling as a platinum level frequent flyer,” I thought, painfully aware of my demotion to base metal (in)frequent flyer status.
Our trip began auspiciously. Traffic on the 101 highway moved the entire time. Movement on the 405 actually exceed walking speed (twice!). Our airplane had two empty seats — and they were next to Nazy and me. (We sat across from each other on aisle seats.) The airplane arrived early. It was all perfect.
“Using an assumed name so that United Airlines didn’t know that I was traveling, turned out to be a good idea,” I thought. “I hope that they don’t detect the subterfuge before we’re safely home.”
My sister Marjorie collected us at the airport. We stayed with her overnight and then went to visit my sister Sandi and her husband Brian for lunch. It was a wedding, so all my sisters and brother got together at Sandi’s where we also celebrated “The Fall Ball”; three of the siblings have autumn birthdays.
The wedding reception was held at Hamilton Hall in Salem, Massachusetts; the wedding took place right across the street in a garden. The day was beautiful. Getting ready was..
“… challenging, Nazy.” I explained. “I forgot to bring a belt to wear with my suit pants.”
“You wore a belt on the airplane..”
“Yes. That was a Western Belt — great for blue jeans.” I replied.
“You can’t wear that with your suit.” Nazy gasped. “It’s..”
“.. got so much silver trim that it sets off airport metal detectors from the parking lot.”
“I’m sure we’ll be able to find a belt in Salem.” Nazy concluded. But later, at the front desk:
“I don’t think that there is any men’s clothing store in Salem,” the clerk informed her.
“That’s absurd,” I thought. “I saw 22 Halloween stores on the way in.” [I’m not exaggerating; they take Halloween very seriously in Salem.]
“Don’t worry, Dan,”Nazy said, turning to me. “I’m sure we’ll find something,” she concluded as the shopping genes kicked in.
We found a men’s belt in a vintage store a few blocks away. Nazy got the belt which ..
“Is far too big,” I complained. “This thing is big enough to serve as a rigging on an elephant saddle.” I thought.
“Do you know where we can find a cobbler?” Nazy asked the sales lady.
“Apple cobbler?” I thought.
A few blocks in the other direction, we, eh, she found a guy who was happy to punch a hole in the belt. I tried it on and pointed to the spot where we needed the hole. Nazy suggested that we put several holes in different places. With my finger pointing to the right place, I objected.
“Who should I listen to?” The cobbler asked.
“It’s my belt.” I replied, pointing to the spot that I’d selected. “Listen to me.” I continued with ill-advised enthusiasm. He punched a hole. I had measured the hole by wearing the belt over my jeans belt. When I got back to the hotel and tried the belt with my suit it was …
“Woefully too big,” I thought, aware that a predictable..
“I told you so,” Nazy replied.
would be forthcoming shortly.
I took the belt back to the cobbler who summed up the situation perfectly.
“You should have listened to your wife,” he claimed.
“Thanks,” I said. “That’s always a good idea,” I thought. After 46 years of marriage, I should have known better.
Before the wedding, we had some time to see sights in Salem. The Peabody Essex Museum has, among a lot of other things,Yin Yu Tang, an 18th-century Chinese merchant's house that was transported from China and reassembled in Salem. The museum also hosts a collection of New England houses: we toured homes from the 1600’s (post-medieval) 1700’s (Georgian) and early 1800’s (Federalist).
Nazy at Yin Yu Yang.. Peabody Essex Museum
Although the homes became increasingly opulent (the Federal one had patterned floors made from sail canvas, wall paper imported from Europe and extremely complicated moldings) none of the homes had indoor plumbing or electricity.
The museum also had a fine collection of nautical paintings and models. My personal favorite was a ship paradoxically named after my daughter (Melika Eliza Adams) more than 100 years before she was born.
The guide for our home tour was eccentric: It was a beautiful, sunny day, but she was wearing knee high rubber boots that were a couple sizes too big. And, when one of group began explaining the origin of the saying ‘sleep tight’, our guide responded with an approach appropriate for a 3rd grade class room.
“Would you like to share that information with the whole class?” She whined.
Even though the guide was ‘strange’, she did note that New England grew and prospered because of world-wide trade, handled by sea from Salem. “They understood the importance of global trade in the 1700’s — a lesson that has been forgotten since the last election.” She concluded.
The wedding of my sister’s son Sean and Tara, took place in a beautiful outdoor setting on a spectacularly beautiful day (we brought the weather from California). The reception was held across the street at Hamilton Hall — named for Alexander Hamilton. (Alex has become quite popular recently.) It was a great event and we had time to see the New England based cousins.
More about our trip will be forthcoming in the next issue of The Weekly Letter. In the interim, a few more photos:
For last week's letter, please click here.
Nazy and Dan in Salem
Nazy at the rehearsal dinner … with nautical earrings.
