Jingle Bells

Yesterday evening, Chesapeake Bay Daughter participated in a handbell concert on the court green in neighboring Gloucester County.

Above is a shot of the old Boutetourt Hotel, which skirts the historic court circle and now houses the Gloucester Museum of History.  I took this photo while sitting in the comfort--and precious, precious warmth--of my vehicle before the event, which included the lighting of the official Christmas tree.

According to the Gloucester website , the  Boutetourt building has been in existence since at least 1774, when a paper described it as "the tavern at the Gloucester Courthouse."

My mother, who's from Gloucester, wrote a little something on the Hotel Boutetourt that I'll share sometime, which is to say after I make sure she's OK with my sharing it.  In that essay she describes the co-owners of the hotel, sisters named Miss Hilda and Miss Gussie.

But let's return to the handbell concert, already in progress.

There was lots and lots of standing.  And waiting.

And it was cold. Very, very cold.

Below is a shot of the court green before the festivities began.

You can't tell from this picture, but it was downright frigid.

Did I mention there was waiting?  Lots and lots of waiting. In cold that felt like the Siberian tundra.

After days, weeks and months an hour or so of waiting, the concert began.

The crowd erupted in tears cheers. Although there were requests of "Free Bird" shouted from the audience, the handbell choir stuck to traditional holiday favorites, like Oh, God-- Rest, Ye Merry Gentlemen.

(That's exactly how CB Daughter said it when I asked what they'd be playing.  I said, "I don't think it's Oh, God." But that was before I knew how cold it was going to be.)

 Below is a shot of Chesapeake Bay Daughter pretending like she's not suffering from frostbite. Behind her is the street which I walked down many, many times in my youth with my grandmother who lived on Corr Street.

My grandmother had no driver's license, so we'd walk from her house to Tuckers, the very best toy store ever, and then on to Leigh's Market, or the Colonial Store or the Safeway for groceries.

This particular area holds many warm memories for me, and to see my daughter performing so close to where my grandmother lived warms my heart. And warmth is good, especially when you've been standing for three days a long time in the cold.

Click here to read about one of Chesapeake Bay Daughter's previous concerts that proves why CBW is on Miss Manners' Most Wanted List and may never be allowed into Ware Church again.

Click here to read about one of Chesapeake Bay Son's concerts which, among other things, proves CBW has attention deficit issues and a severe lack of patience.  And also why Abingdon Episcopal Church won't be in any hurry to have her back.

What did you do this weekend?
Were you cold or warm?