The Storyteller | Mary Vee

What happens when twelve family members, most between the ages of 16 and 24 are accused of being hooligans? It started...many years ago... Read chapter one, where the hijinks begin, The American Citizen click here:  Chapter One Chapter two: Hooliganism in the Airport  click here:  Chapter Two Chapter three: The Cold Sank Into Their Bones  click here   Chapter Three Photo by Mary Vee As the evening hour swirled into the night, so also the -25 degree temperatures plummeted closer to -40. Winds raced into Moscow from the artic, carrying a sting and shiver never before experienced by the ten hooligans and patriarch plus matriarch which will heretofore be called bothriarchs. Sure the twelve had lived through harsh North American winters where freezing temperatures drew tears from the eyes, forced noses to run, and breath that looked like frost, but they’d never experienced this cold. A bitterness that seeped into their very marrow. Three black...

What happens when twelve family members, most between the ages of 16 and 24 are accused of being hooligans? It started...many years ago... Read chapter one, where the hijinks began by clicking here:  Chapter One Then on to Hooligans in chapter two by clicking here:  Chapter Two CHAPTER 3 Photo by Mary Vee Flying across the world with ten first time air travelers was much like containing crowds for the winning team at a sporting event. The travel time, including lay overs, would consume twenty-five tedious hours. The first leg, Detroit to New York and was not nearly long enough for Dud to rest after the boarding pass incident. Thank God they had to wear seatbelts. In some cases, passengers landing in New York City had to find a way to get from LaGuardia to Kennedy in time to meet their international flight. Anyone who has traveled in NYC, even if during horse and buggy days, knew getting the earth to stop turning might be easier. The patients...

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 ...