For as long as I have been a member of our ladies group at church, I have had a part in helping serve the November birthday party at the Homme Home for the aging in Wittenberg. As I look back, I really don’t have a clue as to how many years ago I began, but if I were to guess, I’d say about 30 years.
The party takes place on the second Tuesday of the month, so it is near Veterans Day, and this year it was on Veterans Day. I admit it was difficult to motivate myself this year. Not only do I have a couple of aches that I didn’t have in the past, but with the snowy and icy weather, I just plain did not want to go.
But, I knew I had to go. After all, I think I am the youngest one of the group. The day began by taking the pie ingredients to church. Since we are asked to not bake things in our own kitchen, we have been gathering together for the past few years. One of our ladies is an expert in making crusts, so she brought and supplied the crusts. All we needed to do is the filling.
I made custard pie, but there was an assortment of pies that were made. Banana, lemon, pumpkin, apple, blueberry, cherry — all the old-fashioned favorites.
The Sweetly Addled Sinners and Saints kitchen band was taken out of retirement for this day only. At one time we were active in traveling around the area giving performances, but due to our aging group, we decided to cut back and only do the one at Wittenberg.
The birthdays were honored, as were the veterans who were present. Then the kitchen band got into action. The piano keeps the tune, while the band members play pie pans, kettle lids, gravy shakers and bells. There is an egg-cordion made from egg cartons, and a trombone made from a curtain rod. We didn’t have the hum strum this year, but will try to track it down for next year.
As the leader of our hat- and apron-wearing group, I get to roam the room and try to get some response from the audience. I tell silly jokes, or stick the microphone in someone’s face if I see they are singing all the words. I noticed one woman was singing “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” so I let her voice lead the song. One reason for that is, me singing in a microphone will really make people laugh, or cry, or say enough already.
We sang songs such as “The Old Gray Mare” (kind of fits me some days). The “Hokey Pokey” always brings them alive, and I invite them to do the actions as well as they can. Meanwhile, I am “putting my right foot in, and my right foot out, and turn myself about” etc. That song is a workout for me, and we do a full seven verses.
The entertainment concluded with “Onward Christian Soldiers,” and then we served the pie. When one man finished his pie, I asked him, “Now be honest, what did you like the best, the singing or the pie?” With a big smile on his face, he said “the pie.” I can’t say I blame him.
So I enjoyed my day with my church ladies, and being able to bring a little joy to the residents of Homme Home. Matthew 10: 29-30 says: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”
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