Re: It was quite a holiday!


Oh how I wish your parents could have recorded that angel's speech! No photo at least? That was a great report. 
 
Thanks!
 
Joan
 
- previous message -
Dear Eleanor,
Thank you for sharing your Christmas memories and taking the time to post them. I really enjoyed reading them. Merry Christmas!
Best wishes for the new year!

- from original message -
Dear neighbors,
It was quite a holiday!  I hope you can say the same. No. 2 daughter came from her home across the sea, we rented a car and drove the endless turnpike to Massachusetts to celebrate with the rest of the family. We laughed a lot, ate too much, starting with the cookies made from my mother’s traditional recipes—fondly remembered flavors of my youth—anise, ginger, sesame, citrus, a wee bit of rum, chocolate and especially butter!
We exchanged gifts, some silly, some I will cherish forever, though maybe never need. What do you give an eighty++ grandmother who wants nothing? Chocolate!!!
Attending Christmas Eve service sitting between my two daughters surrounded me with a warmth and security I had not felt in a long time. Not since I was a little girl sitting between my parents, to keep me from squirming I believe.
I closed my eyes and it was 6:30 PM on Christmas Eve in a little German Lutheran congregation on the East side of Detroit. The fathers in their best suits, the mothers with an extra splash of Midnight in Paris all over themselves. The children lined up according to height in the basement Sunday school room ready to troop up the stairs, through the pastor’s study (the only time we would ever see this room, an ordinary study, btw,) except for the few boys who would some day be married in the little church. Like the children on Christmas Eve, grooms, about to be married would enter the Sanctuary from the Pastor’s study [snip]
--------------
The message is available in full at Message https://groups.io/g/clevelandpark/message/220958 


Re: It was quite a holiday!


Dear Eleanor,
 
Thank you for sharing your Christmas memories and taking the time to post them. I really enjoyed reading them. Merry Christmas!
 
Best wishes for the new year!
 
Michael
 
- from original message -
Dear neighbors, 
It was quite a holiday!  I hope you can say the same. No. 2 daughter came from her home across the sea, we rented a car and drove the endless turnpike to Massachusetts to celebrate with the rest of the family. We laughed a lot, ate too much, starting with the cookies made from my mother’s traditional recipes—fondly remembered flavors of my youth—anise, ginger, sesame, citrus, a wee bit of rum, chocolate and especially butter!
We exchanged gifts, some silly, some I will cherish forever, though maybe never need. What do you give an eighty++ grandmother who wants nothing? Chocolate!!!
Attending Christmas Eve service sitting between my two daughters surrounded me with a warmth and security I had not felt in a long time. Not since I was a little girl sitting between my parents, to keep me from squirming I believe.
I closed my eyes and it was 6:30 PM on Christmas Eve in a little German Lutheran congregation on the East side of Detroit. The fathers in their best suits, the mothers with an extra splash of Midnight in Paris all over themselves. The children lined up according to height in the basement Sunday school room ready to troop up the stairs, through the pastor’s study (the only time we would ever see this room, an ordinary study, btw,) except for the few boys who would some day be married in the little church. Like the children on Christmas Eve, grooms, about to be married would enter the Sanctuary from the Pastor’s study [snip]
--------------
The message is available in full at Message 


Free for pickup - IKEA sleeper sofa #FFPU


Still in good condition 
 
Sara
sarabethweiner@... [sarabethweiner @ gmail dot com]
 


It was quite a holiday!


Dear neighbors, 
 
It was quite a holiday!  I hope you can say the same. No. 2 daughter came from her home across the sea, we rented a car and drove the endless turnpike to Massachusetts to celebrate with the rest of the family. We laughed a lot, ate too much, starting with the cookies made from my mother’s traditional recipes—fondly remembered flavors of my youth—anise, ginger, sesame, citrus, a wee bit of rum, chocolate and especially butter!
 
We exchanged gifts, some silly, some I will cherish forever, though maybe never need. What do you give an eighty++ grandmother who wants nothing? Chocolate!!!
 
Attending Christmas Eve service sitting between my two daughters surrounded me with a warmth and security I had not felt in a long time. Not since I was a little girl sitting between my parents, to keep me from squirming I believe.
 
I closed my eyes and it was 6:30 PM on Christmas Eve in a little German Lutheran congregation on the East side of Detroit. The fathers in their best suits, the mothers with an extra splash of Midnight in Paris all over themselves. The children lined up according to height in the basement Sunday school room ready to troop up the stairs, through the pastor’s study (the only time we would ever see this room, an ordinary study, btw,) except for the few boys who would some day be married in the little church. Like the children on Christmas Eve, grooms, about to be married would enter the Sanctuary from the Pastor’s study.  
 
We were fascinated by the vestments that hung  in a narrow cabinet in a corner and the silver chalice and several salvers in a cabinet with glass doors brought from Europe before anyone now living could remember. We were all eager to get a closer look but no one dared to step out of line. The line wiggled and squirmed but it held.  
 
All the while the organist was playing every Christmas hymn in the book. The pastor in his flowing robe and with the proper colored stole draped over his shoulders comes in and creates a momentary calm. He smiles (pastors are always good with little kids who are not his). He tells us we are celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus like folks all over the world this night. Some of us think that is special.  Some of us think that is awesome! Some of us just want to get this over with to get home and see our presents. We all knew that Santa was putting our presents under the tree while we were suffering all this anxiety lined up the cellar stairs into the pastor’s study. Back then, while the bombs were reshaping the geographic boundaries of Europe, Santa, or the Christmas Child, (das Christkind) still brought presents to most of us on Christmas Eve.
 
When the organist pulled out all the stops and lit into "Oh, come all ye faithful,  joyful and triumphant…" the littlest child stepped into the sanctuary  and we knew the show had begun. If the path to the rear of the church seemed daunting for a three-year-old, a patient parent or perhaps one of the ushers took her hand--it was usually a little girl--and led her part of the way around the back of the congregation, all standing and singing their hearts out, then down the center aisle where a loving Sunday School teacher was waiting for her and pointing out where she should sit.  
 
At some point two or three  little boys would get into a shoving match to see how fast they could all three reach the same spot in the pew and sit down. If there was a tableau, and there usually was, the children in costume came toward the end. The three boys  portraying the Wise Men preferred to call themselves The Wise Guys, usually brought up the end, and rightfully so. After all they came from afar following yonder star.  
 
The Pastor, clever fellow that he was, had taken an empty oatmeal container and punched a series of holes in the pattern of a star into it, placed a small light bulb behind them and propped it between two organ pipes. From there it shone brightly on the congregation below, watching for their children to come marching in line like the docile little sheep they were supposed to be.
 
Only one character was missing from this assembly, the angel who appeared to the shepherds as they lay keeping watch o'er their sheep by night. One year it was me! Olivia de Havilland could not have brought more drama to the role. I was in fifth or sixth grade, had long braids down my back. My mother had never yet cut my hair. We unraveled those braids and brushed out the kinks the best we could, I was dressed in a white junior chorister’s robe and a bit of tinsel was wound around my head sweat-band style. The wings were dispensed with. They would have just gotten in the way. It was quite clear who I was supposed to be.  
 
I was settled in the  pulpit and did not have to march in with all the rest but I had to crouch down in that pulpit through the whole agonizing service. At the singing of each carol another character or characters walked into view and stood on his tiny X marked on the carpeting of the altar. The heavenly host was just the organist with all the stops pulled out again. The congregation was too small and did not have the voices necessary to do Handel’s Hallelujah justice.  
 
On cue I jumped up from my heavenly crouch like a racehorse from it’s gate. "Fear not!  For I bring you glad tidings of great joy…”  I shouted. I had memorized that entire passage from the Gospel of Luke, King James Version. The only version at the time. Nothing rhymed, it was heavy stuff. None of the other kids had to recite anything like it. I did it perfectly, and loudly with a spotlight shining in my eyes. My mother said practically the whole congregation was startled, even she jumped back a bit and she knew what was coming. I was pleased. I had my 10 minutes  of fame very early in life.  
 
All the older ladies told me that I had scared them, sort of. The men, mostly other dads, would not admit to that. Mostly they said stuff like: "Yah did great, kid.” "Yah had us goin’ there for a minute, kiddo.” "Like a rabbit outta a hat!" I hated that one. I was never given a role in the tableau ever again. The Angel, when she appeared at all, stood quietly and elegantly beside the manger and raised her arms slowly toward the end as if in some sort of benediction.
 
Which brings me to the manger and the baby Jesus, the pièce de resistance of the whole affair. There was no baby Jesus asleep on the hay. He was a goose-necked desk lamp with a low wattage bulb in it nestled down in the hay.  
 
Poor Mary had to stare adoringly at that light bulb for a long time. Joseph could at least look away occasionally. I think Mary feigned prayer with her eyes closed most of the time. Or maybe she was really praying for the end of the tableau and the end of her ten minutes of fame for the year. Mary was everybody’s sweetheart and she repeated the role well into high school. 
 
I was never asked to repeat my Oscar-worthy performance again, I think because my mother let me cut my hair into a cute little pixie cut. And we all know there were no mischievous little sprites around on that cold winter’s night that was so deep, there’s nothing deep about pixies.

Eleanor 🌸 O.


Cut & Paste Error - Here's the Missing Category, BEST ANIMAL STORY, dropped from the Cleveland Park Listies 2024!


by Peggy Robin
 
A little editing error -- a whole category of the 2024 Cleveland Park Listies got left on the cutting room floor.
 
Here it is:
 
In the category of BEST ANIMAL STORY, we had another runaway winner (both in terms of the vote and according to the story line of the fugitive parakeet), with the Listy going to Pam H. for her 3 posts telling the saga of Nico the parakeet -- reported lost on January 28 in Message , then found in Message on Jan 30., and then there was a sweet follow-up message on Feb 3 to reassure us about how well little Nico was doing back at home. That message included a link to a video clip of Nico, plus a list of lost pet resources.
Voters also showed some love (in descending order of number of votes) to: the "Acrobat Raccoon," the "Nesting Mourning Doves," the "Coyote Encounter," and "Coyotes with Mange."
--------------
Winners in the other six categories are in Message #220956   And now....the envelopes, please! Presenting the winners of the 2024 Cleveland Park Listies! -- along with information about next year's Listies & my wishes to all for a happy new year!


And now....the envelopes, please! Presenting the winners of the 2024 Cleveland Park Listies!


by Peggy Robin
 
The long wait is over, the votes are in, and the people have spoken!
 
The winner of the Listy for BEST GIVEAWAY goes to...
 
The Piano! by Stephen S, Message on August 28 -- a clear favorite over the 4 other worthy contenders. The giveaway eclipse glasses were a distant second, and the remaining three nominees (the dollhouse with furniture & people, the Barbie Dream House, and the four free tomato cages) each got a sprinkling of votes.
 
In the category of BEST ANIMAL STORY, we had another runaway winner (both in terms of the vote and according to the story line of the fugitive parakeet), with the Listy going to Pam H. for her 3 posts telling the saga of Nico the parakeet -- reported lost on January 28 in Message , then found in Message on Jan 30., and then there was a sweet follow-up message on Feb 3 to reassure us about how well little Nico was doing back at home. That message included a link to a video clip of Nico, plus a list of lost pet resources.
Voters also showed some love (in descending order of number of votes) to: the "Acrobat Raccoon," the "Nesting Mourning Doves," the "Coyote Encounter," and "Coyotes with mange." 
 
Our 5 nominees for a Listy for the BEST QUERY revealed a readership most intrigued by the Mystery Object, described and pictured by Sharon C. in Message on August 28, A close runner-up was the request for help in assembling a donated bike for a little girl from a refugee family, followed by "Sheets for Orangutans," then "Reptile Needs a Ride," and finally, "ISO Info about Stained Glass."
When it comes to BEST RESPONSE TO A QUERY, what could be better than success in reuniting the query-writer, Anthony, with his stolen bike? After Anthony asked Listserv members for any news of his Yuba Boda Boda Electric Cargo Bike (Message   on Sept 17), he was gratified by the offers to help -- and absolutely thrilled when Bill P. found it and arranged for Anthony to pick it up from the fire station (Message  , Sept 19). It's a double listy winner, as both Bill and Anthony reported on the way the Listserv helped to bring about a happy ending for a man and his bike.
 
The first runner-up was the message about the multiple experienced Paris train travelers who answered Sharon C.'s "long-shot" question on finding the elevator in a particular Paris RER station. Travel advice also took third place with Lisette's tips about getting around Amsterdam by bus, rail, bike, and on foot; while  Samantha K.'s tips to help protect nesting birds came in fourth, closedly followed by Kate M.'s message providing links to get free, expert planting advice.
 
The Art Critics of Cleveland Park (initiated by Ana E. in Message   on July 14) takes our Listy for BEST LONG DISCUSSION THREAD. While it was neither the longest discussion thread -- only three days, compared to twenty days for Ranked Choice Voting) nor did it generate the most messages (43 messages vs. 63 for RCV), there's no doubt that it was the most impactful discussion this year -- and arguably the most impactful discussion in the Listserv's 25-year history. Before the discussion started, ANC 3C semed on a sure path to support a proposal for a two-sided mural on the 7-11 building at Connecticut & Ordway. By the time the ANC meeting, a mere two days later --after so many residents wrote eloquently about the value of preserving the sandstone building facade, with its oval windows and its limestone Art Deco details -- sentiment has shifted and the vote was 6-2 not to support a mural at that location.
 
The mural discussion just nosed out "Going Carless in DC." Third place went to "We Should Put Up a Statue to...." Only a couple of votes separated fourth place, "Ranked Choice Voting" from the fifth place finisher, "Deadly Driving Continues." 
 
PHOTO OF THE YEAR goes to "Our Own Stumpy." Congratulations to the little tree and to Susan B., who took the winning picture. "Aurora at the National Cathedral" and "Juvenile Cardinal" tied for second place, with Bald Eagle" taking third (almost making a three-way tie for second, but just a few votes shy,) and "Pink View of the Castle" coming in fourth.
And now for the most eagerly anticipated Listy, the final one, POST OF THE YEAR. It's CANDY vs. POTATOES by Henry D. (Message   on Nov 1). Who'd have expected that any kid would go for two potatoes over a piece of candy? And who'd have expected that voters would vote for a quirky little Halloween experiment over these other four worthy contenders:  1) A charming holiday reminiscence; 2) a heartwarming story of a bike accident victim & the witness who made sure he was OK; 3) an essay contest that segued into a tale of how the audio book of Moby Dick can still thrill listeners today; and 4) a lyrical report on a hillside in bloom, backed by a soundtrack of songbirds. All five taken together display the breadth of Listserv subject matter, the expressiveness of the posters, the creativity of their ideas, and how a simple Listserv message can entertain and enlighten ....but someone's gotta win, and in this case, the voters have spoken and the word of the year is POTATOES!!
 
Interestingly, in every category each nominee got at least a couple of votes; no one was totally shut out - a testament to the high quality of all the nominated posts this year.
 
If you are the winner of a 2024 Listy, I will be in touch to make arrangements to get your Listy to you. Or if, like Henry D., you decline to receive a little golden statuette made of genuine, earth-unfriendly plastic, you can choose either a paper certificate suitable for framing or a vitual certificate, suitable for use as your screen saver.
 
Before we close, a couple of  reminders: Our Poster of the Year, who consistently posted lively, helpful, and eminently Listworthy messages all year round, went to Meghan K.; that award was given last week, December 21, in Message  .
 
We've already started collecting messages that seem worthy of a nomination for the 2025 Listies. We encourage every interested listserv member to make a note of any message, on any topic, you'd like to see considered for an award. Just note the message number, and/or the poster's name/email address, posting date, subject line -- whatever is sufficient to allow us to look up the post, and send it in any time before December 27, 2025. Of course, you don't need to wait for the end of the year to send a nomination. I keep a running file - just email me directly at clevelandparklistservmoderator@... [clevelandparklistservmoderator @ gmail dot com].
 
Farida W., your message about the hijacked Amazon gift cards is already in the running for the Listies in 2025!
 
Thanks to all the posters, nominated or not, and all the readers who made 2024 a banner year for good Listserv posts -- even as the year may have left many of us sorely disappointed in other respects. 
 
We wish you all good things and good messaging in the New Year 2025!
 
- Peggy Robin 
and the MAP (Moderator's Advisory Panel, made up of a few family members, some friends & neighbors, plus a couple of randos that got roped into this gig)
------------------------
The Cleveland Park Listies are posted annually on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local over the last 4 Saturdays in December.


A few more items FS/Free: Misc items including baby/nursing and wedding items #free #forsale


I neglected to add a few more items:
* snow shovel
* desk - from IKEA, has some wear but is usable. It's the IKEA ALEX drawer unit, 2 of these basic table legs, and the table top that I can't figure out the exact model from the IKEA website. color is black-brown. the drawer unit is pretty heavy and durable so you could just keep that
* spray paint - "moss green" satin finish link to product
 
Jessica
McLean Gardens
jessicacourtneylee@... [jessicacourtneylee @ gmail dot com]
--------
The original message with a long list of items is available at Message 


TAKEN: FFPU: king-sized quilt and 2 shams


These were posted earlier this evening for giveaway, but they have been taken. An amazing number of people share my love of this quilt!
 
Teresa


ISO John Oliver tix


I’m looking to buy tickets to John Oliver at the Kennedy Center either Sunday 12/29 or Monday 12/30. Please let me know if you have two or four to sell.
 
Thank you!
 
Tracy
troosevelt@... [troosevelt @ gmail dot com]


FS: Fireplace andirons #forsale


I have a couple of sets of fireplace andirons for sale. They come of course with the cast-iron log support in the back.

If you're interested, contact me off-line please - oohlikewowman @ yahoo dot com

Joe
North Cleveland Park


FS: cowboy boots size 8 $25 #forsale


Justin brand size 8 with registration number. Only selling because I need to pack very light. A steal at $25.

Maria on Macomb
beachbombshell@... [beachbombshell @ gmail dot com]
 


ISO Custom Pillow and Custom Bedskirt


Hi All:

I am looking for two things:

1). The name of someone or a company that will make a custom size pillow for a very long window seat. I think I have enough fabric.

2). The name of someone or a company who can make a custom size bed skirt for an antique bed that is a nonstandard height.

No rush, and Happy New Year!

Roberta
Devonshire Place
birdie20008 @ yahoo dot com


FS/Free: Misc items including baby/nursing and wedding items #forsale #free


I'm doing some cleaning and have a lot of misc items to part with. Many are unused and I am willing to give away for free, though if you want to donate (like $20-30 or whatever you see fit) to my kid's 529, that would be a nice gift :) 
 

Baby & nursing related items

  • Spectra S1 Plus pump (rechargeable / the model with battery) - you’ll need to buy the bottles elsewhere (ie Amazon) but everything else is in there (2 duck bills, 4 24mm and 4 28mm flanges, etc), though you might also need to buy flanges fit for you.

  • Mothers Milk tea bags - new box + a few more bags

  • Blessed thistle leaves - is an herb that is supposed to help with lactation

  • Body bean bags for a baby - I don’t know how else to describe this except it is kind of like a weighted bean bag you can put on a baby to keep them on their back? They were used in the hospital but I don’t think are recommended as far as safe sleeping practices…

  • A lot of vials(?) / containers where you can store breast milk, ranging in 60ml to 120ml. You should be able to run them through the dishwasher/sanitizer and use, in lieu of plastic bags for storing milk

  • Dish Wash basin - ie for baby bottles, just a simple plastic tub

  • Misc pacifiers, never used. A few are opened since I wanted to see how they look

  • Echinacea dietary supplement link to Amazon


Household

  • Refillable dog bowl, similar to this link to Amazon

  • Magic bullet blender - I upgraded to a better personal blender. This still works though is not very powerful

  • “Womens toiletry kit” - a pre-filled toiletry kit targeted towards women but the only gender-specific item is a deodorant stick, otherwise it’s shampoo, toothpaste, etc

  • 3 rubber spatulas, never used

  • 2 pillows - were used, could be used for a dog I guess

  • Medium sized cooler - dimensions are 10.5” W x 14” L x 13” H

  • Mounting putty link to Amazon

  • Plastic laundry basket


Misc

  • 12 pack of colored pencils

  • Coloring book

  • Rubik’s cube

  • Sleeping bag - red, mummy-type, barely used. Brand is Mountain Hardware

  • Inflatable mattress & pump - full size I think

  • White Votive Candles, 1.5" in diameter x 2" in height link to Amazon

  • Misc glass vases/containers - were used for candles at our wedding

  • 4x6 frames or table signs, Gold Border & Vertical Stand link to Amazon

  • Drapery for wedding arch - link to product, in cream/nude/ivory. Never used

  • Advice cards - like for a bachelorette party or wedding 

 
Pickup in McLean Gardens, though if you have a lot that you're taking, I can drop off
 
Jessica
McLean Gardens
jessicacourtneylee@... [jessicacourtneylee @ gmail dot com]


Free Moving Boxes #freeboxes


My sister recently moved to this area and has about 50 strong moving boxes, including several wardrobe boxes. They are free to anyone who can pick them up in Silver Spring/Aspen Hill.
 
Call Kelly at 305-213-3480.
 
-Mary


FFPU: king-sized quilt and 2 shams #free


Love this king size quilt and two regular sized pillow shams. They brought me a lot of joy when I needed it, but now my bedroom decor has changed. But these still have a lot of joy left to give! Call or text if you would like them. 
 
Teresa Gruber 
Bellevue Terrace at Garfield St NW
202-413-1762


Question about Rock Creek Park horse center


I would like to have horses in my life again, and thus want to schedule a tour of the Rock Creek Park horse center. Has anyone done this? Are they friendly? Is it worth it?
 
Carole
kenyasaxa@... [kenyasaxa @ yahoo dot com]


Free for pickup - fridge #FFPU


Works perfectly, great for a second fridge! 
 
Sara
sarabethweiner@... [sarabethweiner @ gmail dot com]
 


FS: 2 tickets to John Oliver tonight. 7pm #ticketsforsale


Two tickets for John Oliver tonight @Kennedy center
Orchestra Front left. Front row on the aisle
$400 for pair.

Shelley Lowenstein
Calvert Street
mosklow @ gmail dot com


ISO a relatively new, used laptop


If you recently upgraded your laptop or want to offload it, I’m interested in getting a laptop (2022-2024).
 
Let’s talk 202-320-7035c susigbf@... [susigbf @ gmail dot com]
 
Thanks
Susi


FS: Bike (unisex) and Skis #forsale


Scott Sportster Bike $200 OBO
 
This bike was purchased from the listserv a few years ago (for significantly more $) and then was never used. It needs a tune-up because it hasn't been ridden in years (front tire is not currently on) but is otherwise in great condition. It is a unisex bike and I would say best for people over 5'3.
 
Elan Element skis $100 OBO (not sure length but I am 5'2 and they were correct size for me)
 
Purchased locally a few years ago and used once. Great beginner ski.
 
I can send more photos or you are welcome to come look at either of them. Email me directly spd2w@...
 
Thanks!
Sara
38th Street NW
spd2w@... [spd2w @ yahoo dot com]