The Storyteller | Mary Vee

What happens when twelve family members, most between the ages of 16 and 24 are accused of being hooligans in an airport? It started...many years ago... Scroll down to read chapter one, where the hijinks began. CHAPTER 2 Photo by Mary Vee The following moments in the airport must have been the inspiration for the opening of Home Alone. The family collage contained a myriad of ages from five months to twenty-four years plus an overwhelmed patriarch and a matriarch who knew to stay out of his way at this moment.  Although the packing limit allowed each person to take one suitcase, the chaotic moment resembled a failed football scrimmage after the whistle blew. The whys and wheres had not been explained, or maybe they had been, but the thrill blocked the tribe’s ears, especially since all, except two, had never flown on a plane, much less visited a foreign country. The patriarch was affectionately called Dud, even when he was in a frantic, sour mood.   His s...

Happy New Year This year starts with a tale, one that may last the year, I'm not sure. But I think you will really enjoy it. AND if you do, please invite others to read this story as well. Where Good Memories Are Kept It started once upon a time. Dud began his story this way because at times you, reader, might find portions of this tale highly impossible. But in full disclosure, this 1970's story was proven true. Not in a history book or even in a diary. The words had been hidden in the secret place where good memories are kept to cherish. Two months had passed since Jane and her husband said their wedding vows. They had the typical basic apartment furniture, a dining room table, recycled chairs, a hand-me-down sofa, and a bedroom set. The kitchen cupboard contained the usual minimal married-couple-in-college ingredients. On this crisp October day, they longed for a delicious big meal, no dessert required.  This was not the first time they'd popped in at ...

Today I will share yet another ghost story told on the River Rhine. When you think about it, most ghost stories technically are told like an Aesop Fable. They are short and have a lesson. The slight difference is: the fable's lesson is spelled out while the ghost story's lesson can be interpreted by the listener. So, here is the fourth ghost story I heard on the River Rhine: PHOTO by Mary Vee Vineyards along the Rhine River Once upon a time, seven beautiful virgins lived along the Rhine. Their beauty was known throughout the land.  They tended their vineyards in the day and celebrated life at night singing and dancing, never once inviting anyone to join them. Young men longed to see even one of these beautiful women and dance with her. None received the opportunity. Photo by Mary Vee Armor room in a castle on the Rhine River One day, seven Knights known for their kindness and heroic acts heard the story. They rode their ho...

This is the ghost story of the Enemy brother castles. The white castle to the left is the Liebenstein Castle. The brown castle to the right is the Sterrenberg Castle. Because of important accomplishments, the owners received Imperial Knight Status. Like many families, the children didn't get along. Two sons in particular. Although the younger was considered the braver, he was expected to stay home and care for the land. The older brother, a shy fellow, went to war. The older brother's war journey took him to Greece where he met a beautiful woman with whom he fell in love and married. The older brother brought his bride home. By this time the two brothers had separate castles. Due to their warring, a wall was built between the two, which can be seen in this photo. When the younger brother met the older brother's wife he immediately fell in love with her and she with him. But because she was married to the older brother, and because couples...

Would you like to take another virtual trip? We've gone to Italy, Israel, Jordan, and a boatload of other places. What a great time we've had! I will be the tour guide, passing on what I am learning, seeing, hearing, tasting, etc. Tons of photos!! Okay, I hear you. You want to know where we're going this time? We will be traveling up the Rhine in Germany, visiting castles, and a wealth of other European sites along the way.  I board the plane July 31st. I have my passport, haven't begun to pack, but I have my journal ready to go! You, reader, won't need a suitcase or documents.  I'm keeping the travel log on a new FB page created solely for this trip. Each day I will choose a few photos, perhaps a video clip, and explanation. You'll be tempted by the delicious foods, and weary from climbing castle stairs. Feel free to interact in the comment section on the page. Here is the link. You are all invited to join us.   Click here to join Mary...