Joyful Noise in the House

On Sunday, the Drew Crew assembled for a potluck at the house. By the way, it is a holiday in Nova Scotia so I have a 3-day break. I feel pretty good today and have been eating well.

The four men pictured above are childhood friends of my son Drew. This photograph was taken on the Levée Bus. On New Year’s day, a number of locations around Halifax and Dartmouth welcome citizens to celebrate the start of a new year with a drink and bite to eat. This includes City Hall, the Lieutenant Governor’s residence, the Archdiocese, Wardrooms on Armed Forces Bases, Legions, Ladies Lawn Bowling Clubs, Yacht Clubs, and Service Clubs. For years, a group of friends and myself rented a bus, hired a bagpiper, and served a between-stop drink from a keg on the front seat (disallowed a few years back). We assembled around 9:00 am at the Austenville Owls Club for an adult refreshment or two, loaded on the bus to head out for the day, and stopped at eight to ten locations to meet and greet others celebrating the day. At each stop, it is normal to have a drink or two and something to eat. Suffice it to say, the afternoon tends to get a little hazy by the time we’re back where we started at the Owls Club but it is always a good day and a source of many stories and fond memories. What started years ago with a collection of friends became more of a father/son event. After close to twenty years, we passed along the organization and leadership of the event to the younger generation.

On Sunday, the Drew Crew assembled for a potluck supper at the house. It’s been years since these guys have walked through the front door. All of them have spent many nights here in the basement. Like in the past, no one rang the doorbell when they arrived. They’re all just like members of the family.

All our children were raised with the requirement to address adults as Mrs. Mr. or Ms. It was not acceptable to call adults by a given name. I recall some of my friends saying it was okay if our children called them Bob, Sue, or Biff. Whenever that was suggested, I was quick to point out that I get to decide how my children address adults and frankly, if my children like you the label doesn’t really matter. So thanks for the opinion but I only allow my children to address adults with a respectful title followed by a family name.

However as my children’s friends proved themselves to be responsible and great kids, I allowed them to call me Mr. O, which was understood as a privilege to be earned. All of the Drew Crew earned that privilege and to this day often call me Mr. O.

As a first, the Drew Crew showed up with wives and girlfriends. At supper were: Jade and Drew, Christina and Kyle, Katie and Duncan, and Becky and Colin. Odds are those who listen to FM 96.5 in Halifax will be treated to a story this week as Colin can spin a really good story and is an announcer for the afternoon show. (Note: James currently makes his home in Ottawa and wasn’t in attendance.)

• Hors d’oeuvres (Katie) were in the Parlour at 5:30 with beer and wine.
• Grace a the table at 6:15.
• Opening toast by me after Grace.
• Soup Course - Cheddar and Green Onion Biscuits (Jade), Choice of Onion Soup (Phil), Lentil and Tomato (Jade), and Steamed Mussels (Duncan).
• Salad Course - Caesar and Kale (Janet). The toast was made by Drew.
• Lasagna (Christina and Kyle) and Veggie Chili (Janet). Drew nominated Kyle to make the toast.
• Desert - Chocolate Cake (Becky) - It was better than store-bought. Kyle nominated Colin for the final toast.

I started to fade at 8:30 and headed to bed. It was such a joy to have these folks in the house. They kept the party going to 11:00 pm.

Our bedroom is directly over the party so although I couldn’t hear the conversations, the laughter was infectious. I did sleep on and off and my nausea improved during the evening. I really look forward to when I’m able to do this event from beginning to end.

As always, thanks for your continued interest in my adventure.

Peace, Love and Laughter
Phil