50-something Moms Blog

The magic of the Hobart Shakespeareans

The floor was shaking, bouncing up and down. Really hard.  As the floor moved up and down so vigorously, I wondered how good the building construction was and whether the second floor classroom was about to make a sudden drop onto the first floor.

An earthquake? No. A roaring version of  ‘Loveshack,’ performed by elementary school students, rocking with electric guitars and dancing in wild choreography to lighting that would have made the Fillmore proud…all as part of  William Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It.’

HUH? Loveshack and Shakespeare?

Christmas Letter angst

About 15 years ago, I was one of those people who sneered at the generic Christmas letter that arrived with holiday cards. What? A basic form letter, one-size-fits-most, to keep in touch with friends? Banish the thought. I felt that my holiday cards were the means to stay in touch with many people, and the last thing I wanted to do was relegate them to some form-letter blandness. So, almost as if I were humming Irving Berlin songs, I wrote personal notes in each and every card I sent. Yes, it was somewhat more time-consuming, but I felt like people would appreciate the personal touch. I know that I appreciated the cards where folks who took the time to write even a small hello over those who only signed cards or tossed in their pre-printed round-up of the year.

A few years later, our twins arrived in late November. Besides having new babies, we launched into the holiday season where the twins wore adorable Santa and Mrs. Clause outfits to parties, and everything was merry and bright. Their big brother was well adjusted to the new siblings and life was good on the homefront. To be honest, I think I might have taken photos of the kids that were slipped into cards that year without much of a note. People would understand, right? I had new babies. I was busy! But it was the first step down the slippery slope...