INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 18

 

“It’s a miracle, that’s what it is. Don’t you think so, too, Ivamae?” said Mrs. Boehm, raising her voice so that Ivamae (Grandma Findley) could hear. “It’s a miracle what Ina and Bertha accomplish. The costume for the Gingerbread Princess is beautiful, and just look at those six gingerbread boy costumes. However did they do it!” And there were knowing glances all around.

Six country housewives sat down at Ina’s dining room table. Each had her own sewing kit, but Ina put out extra needles and thread. Each had trims to share – rick-rack, lace, and bits of this and that – and these were placed in the middle of the table for all to use. Before they started, Ina read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke.

Then they set to work, and as they worked they gossiped. One said that she had heard that Mr. Smith (Shirley Anne’s father) had found work in Seattle and that they would soon return for the little girl and their belongings. Ina affirmed that she knew this to be true, feeling an inexplicable pang of sadness which she pushed to the back of her mind.

At noon, the ladies paused to eat their sandwiches and enjoy Bertha’s cookies. At 2:00, Jack pulled into the yard with the sleigh and suggested he should take them home soon so as to have them all home before dark. In fact, the sky was already dark. It looked like it might snow again.

As the seamstresses bundled up to leave -- all of them talking at once -- they thanked Ina and Bertha for this lovely day. They agreed that the opportunity to gather and do something for the school was special. And each said she would be at the Gingerbread Pageant Friday afternoon.

Ina’s heart warmed as she surveyed the little gingerbread boy costumes, every one of them beautifully embellished. What fun! Tomorrow she would have Jack deliver them to the schoolhouse when he picked up the mail. KW

INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 17

Blessed Sunday was here again. Today it was Ina’s turn to present the lesson at Sunday school, and she read the Old Testament prophecies of the birth of the Christ child. Thoughtful discussion ensued. Most participants were deep students of the Bible and found the lesson an inspiring reminder of the season.

 

Directly after the meeting, during fellowship, Bertha and Ina extended the invitation to Ina’s house the next day (Monday) to finish the costumes for the Gingerbread Pageant at the school. Mrs. Boehm and “Grandma” Findley said they could come for sure. Jack volunteered to provide transportation to and from. Details were discussed. Each seamstress knew to bring her own sewing kit, but the Dobson sisters also requested left-over trimmings if such were available to share.

After the mid-day dinner, Ina settled down to consult her lists. Tomorrow she would mail most of her cards except those to close family. She would write long letters to include in those. Tuesday she would have Jack carry all packages to the mailbox. Yes, that would work well. She and Bertha had already planned the food for the Christmas Eve gathering. Everything was well-organized and on time, including the costume work for the pageant.

Just then her reverie was interrupted by the ringing of the phone – and it was their ring. Once again the operator announced a long distance call for anyone from Mrs. Smith. Ina motioned to Shirley Anne who stood on a chair to reach the phone and speak with her mother. Daddy had found a job at a sawmill in Seattle, Mrs. Smith explained, and they would come fetch her as soon as they found a place to live. The call was brief.

The little girl’s face registered mixed emotions, but Ina hastened to reassure her. She would naturally want to be with her parents, but until they returned, she had lots to do. The pageant would take place on Friday, and on Saturday, she could go with Uncle Jack to find the Christmas tree.

In the evening, Shirley Anne practiced her part for the pageant with Ina’s coaching, but Ina noted that she knew her lines well through practice at school. Then the three of them listened to a radio program before bedtime. KW

INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 16

“Goodness!” exclaimed Ina to herself. “Time is marching on.” This was the last weekend before Christmas doin’s would begin in earnest, and there was still so much to do. Well, she would stand it all just fine.

It was snowing, so after her chores were finished, Shirley Anne put on her snowsuit and went outside to play. Before long there was a jolly snowman in the yard, and more than one “snow angel.” When she came in, Ina helped her remove her snowsuit and wet clothing, wrapped her in a quilt, and set her before the wood stove with a cup of hot chocolate.

Once she was warmed up, Shirley Anne suddenly remembered about the magic closet and ran upstairs to check it. Yes! She found something – an old copy of The Gingerbread Boy. She took it downstairs to where Aunt Ina sat near the window hemming a skirt. “Aunt Ina, look what I found in the closet!” said Shirley Anne. “Will you read it to me?”

“I’m busy right now,” said Ina, “but why don’t you sit here and read it to me?” Shirley Anne was only in first grade, but in the one-room school, children often learned beyond their grade because they heard the lessons of the older students. Shirley Anne read well for her age.

So, Shirley Anne commenced to read the story of the little Gingerbread Boy, especially meaningful now because of preparations for the Gingerbread Pageant at school. Ina helped now and then with big words. They both enjoyed the story and the together time.

As she finished, Shirley Anne observed that she might be the gingerbread girl; Aunt Ina, the little old woman; and Uncle Jack, the little old man. KW

[On our recent trip to the farmhouse, I retrieved my copy of The Gingerbread Boy, retold by Watty Piper and illustrated by Eulalie (Banks), published by the Platt & Munk Co., 1927. Watty Piper was the pseudonym of the publisher, Arnold Munk. This book was a Christmas gift to me by Aunt Lynn (my dad’s sister Myrtle) in 1951 when I was two years old. I was a young adult before I learned that the original folk tale didn’t end so pleasantly for the Gingerbread Boy.]

 

INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 15

Ina and Bertha spent another day whirring at their sewing machines, and in the afternoon, Bertha called Ina to compare notes. Shirley Anne’s costume was finished and the gingerbread costumes were sewn but in need of embellishment.

“I know,” said Bertha, “why don’t we ask at Sunday school if some of the neighbor ladies would join us in the finishing work?” Ina was in total agreement and offered her house for the event. They set the time for Monday at 10:00, and they would ask each “guest” to bring her own lunch with Bertha providing a tray of holiday sweets and Ina the coffee and tea. It would be fun! Why didn’t they think of it before?!!

Ina's house in the '30s

[Now, don’t worry about the extra work for either Ina or Bertha. They were both ready for this and looking forward to it. Bertha was an excellent cook, and Ina had the bigger house and was an excellent housekeeper.] 

To continue and go on – Shirley Anne came home from school excited about a sleigh ride this evening. (Yes, it had snowed – we should have snow now, don’t you think?) – and the snow was plenty deep for a horse-drawn sleigh. They would come by the house, and she could go with them if Aunt Ina permitted. Of course she could go, Ina said. Ina knew she would have a wonderful time with her friends. Wonderful times make for wonderful memories.

Promptly at 6:00, the sleigh arrived, and Ina had seen to it that Shirley Anne was ready and waiting, bundled up in her warm coat. She also provided an old quilt. She watched as little Shirley Anne was tucked into the group between her best friends, Molly and Esmay. The night was clear – perfect for a hayride – and the excitement was palpable. “Come with us, Aunt Ina,” called the participants, but she politely declined. She thought such frivolity was for the young. She preferred to stay warm, and she wanted to be ready to warm Shirley Anne and get her into bed when the sleigh returned. 

Shirley Anne came in late – very tired but very happy. She told Ina all about the fun – how the group had sung carols as they rode along, stopping here and there to serenade certain homes. At one, they were invited in for hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. Then, on the reverse route, the participants were returned to their homes one by one. The child was asleep before her head hit her pillow, her bed already warmed with hot water bottles. KW