We had made the journey to the Minneapolis Airport last Tuesday taking our daughter, Ranell, to meet her plane back to her home in Yuma, AZ. After we said our good-byes, we started home, stopping at a couple places on our way. One of our favorite places is the Welsh Orchard just on the other side of Lake Cystal, MN. They were open, and we indulged in some fresh peaches and a package of their home made apple cider donuts. They are the best donuts I have ever had, and my car just turns right into that driveway when late summer and fall arrive.
As we continued on our way, we got a phone call from a friend who asked if we were home yet. I said no, but would let them know when we were, as they wanted to come out to the farm. About ten minutes after we arrived home, four cars came up our lane, honking loudly non-stop! Suddenly the occupants got out of the vehicles, all the while banging on pans until we emerged from our house. What in the world was going on? And who was making all this noise?
We recognized some very good friends who had come bearing smiles, laughter, and much food! As we welcomed them in, they all were carrying some part of our forthcoming supper, much to our surprise. One salad bowl was labeled “ fruit cocktail salad”….that was for my benefit. I hate that stuff! (The grapes must come from some alien planet…) I was greatly relieved to take off the aluminum foil and find a delicious broccoli salad instead.
What a fun evening it turned out to be. Wonderful friends, scrumptious food, and enough laughter to make the night just a delight. We never dreamed that fifty years after our marriage we would have ANOTHER shivaree. This one was a lot of fun, and much kinder to us than the first time.
In the summer of 1968, about three weeks after our honeymoon, about twelve young couples invaded our big old farmhouse near Brewster where we were living. Our old house rented for fifty dollars a month, and had seven bedrooms and two stairways! Our friends that evening brought food, fun and laughter too, but after they left we realized that they had been pretty sneaky doing their dirty deeds while we were oblivious and having fun. Our bed had been “short-sheeted”, and it was full of crushed corn flakes. The canned goods in our cupboards had all the labels stripped clean, so it made for interesting eating for several weeks to come. Many friendships from that group are still ours today.
As I was thinking about all of this fun and frolic, I decided to find out where the idea of a shivaree came from. The meaning of the English word comes from the French term “charivari” which means a noisy mock serenade to a newly married couple. The original shivarees in the past were given to married couples thought to be mismatched OR to people whose conduct was considered scandalous!
The English shivaree is thought to be borrowed from French traders and settlers along the Mississippi River. It became well established in the United States by 1805. Especially along and west of the Mississippi River. It forms kind of a boundary north to south, somewhat dividing the east from the west. Kind of a crazy idea, but one that inspires laughter and good, clean fun.
I think our celebrations have quieted down now, and we are on the journey forward into the future together. We want to thank our family and friends for blessing us with so many smiles and good wishes. (Yes, for those who have asked, we had a great time staying at our “honeymoon” hotel in Marshall last week. Nothing fancy, but very comfortable and we will enjoy the memories.) Thank you to all who shared love and kindness with us. It is so appreciated.
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