Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 -- Mattie died 514 weeks ago today.

Tonight's photo is a continuation of last night's blog posting. It was taken on August 30, 2008. Mattie's cousins were visiting from Boston. We were fortunate to be able to leave the Hospital unit because of our wonderful nurse, Miki. Miki set a timer on her watch, and periodically came down three floors and came outside to check on Mattie. Amazing no?! She understood the health benefits of having positive social connections and diversions. Will always be grateful to Mattie's nurses, who really know that childhood cancer is NOT just about the medicine! 


Quote of the day: I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars. ~ Og Mandino

I had heard about the traveling exhibit dedicated to Downton Abbey. Today we got to see it. Clearly the exhibit is based on the beloved television show, which transports you to post-Edwardian England, where the characters and the iconic house come to life. Visitors are immersed in the fascinating social history, culture, and some of the most memorable moments from the show’s six-season run.

Here is a short video clip on the exhibit. If you are a Downton Abbey fan, it is worth a visit. Today, I felt like I was surrounded by people of all ages who were affectionatos. I can't think of a TV show that united more people recently like Downton. 

A video clip: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crTBMc6PWB0

I am not sure why I am so surprised by this, but there were many props on display at the exhibit. Such as letters! I knew characters in the show were writing or reading letters, but it never dawned on me that the letters would look SO SO real, including a stamp! 

This letter started the exhibit. Just like it started the very first episode of the show. The letter conveys to the family that the heir to the estate died on the Titanic. 

With the exhibit were wonderful photos, props, and even live videos, in which the characters were interacting with visitors. 

Just like with the actual show, history from that actual time period was integrated into this exhibit. 

This placard said, "A lady's maid was an upper servant, one who worked both in the family's and the servants' quarters. They were usually skilled seamstresses, could occasionally speak conversational French, knew how to do complicated fashionable hairstyles and were, on the whole, ambitious. To be a lady's maid meant traveling with your mistress, seeing different houses, if not different countries, which gave you a greater scope of experience than the other servants. But the hours were long - from first thing in the morning to last at night - and while a mistress might confide in her lady's maid, it was rarely a two way street."

Each of the characters from the show was highlighted, along with a prop significant to the person. This was Mrs. Hughes, housekeeper of Downton.

Lady Mary. The oldest daughter of Lord Grantham. 

Lady Edith, the second daughter of Lord Grantham.

Loved the model of Mrs. Patmore's kitchen. The exhibit had an interactive game in which you were asked interview questions. You were given three options to each question and had to respond. After all your responses, the computer would then tell you what position in the house you would be hired for. I apparently would be hired as the "cook." 

The servant bells!

A model of the dining room set. 

Jewelry created for the characters. They were stunning. 

Head gear! I learned that a woman could not wear a tiara at dinner, unless she was married! In fact, the exhibit did a good job at highlighting traditions and etiquette. 

Lots of beautiful costumes were on display. Many of the dresses belonged to Lady Mary and Lady Edith. We also learned that these women (or women like them) may have changed outfits at least 8 times in one day! An outfit for every activity. 

In the afternoon, we visited Peter's elementary school. Which also happened to be the school Barbara (Peter's mom) taught at for 40 years. One of Barbara's students dedicated a classroom in her honor. So I snapped a photo of Peter with Barbara, in her classroom. 

This evening we went to Chris (Peter's brother) and Lisa home for dinner. Lisa baked me a special chocolate/lemon curd cake for my birthday! So the celebrations continue. The cake was extraordinary, without being heavy. It was a labor of love, but truly appreciated.