Back to the Ha Ha House…Moving to the fixer upper that “J” found for the sisterhood has not been without challenges. Let’s look in as the girls arrive and begin to relax and settle in.

Lav: Hey Yram…you wanna know what I think?

Yram: Please try not to think, Lav. It’s your fault we live in a haunted house that no self-respecting ghost will live in! 

Lav: Really? How embarrasing is that? Do all the Ha Ha girls know we live in an unhaunted house? 

Yram: No…and you’re not going to tell them! It’s bad enough this place is falling down around us, but we were all counting on checking out the ghosts.

Lav: I won’t tell…mummy’s the word!

Meanwhile, A I who was overevesdropping outside the window, recognizes the dilemma and beings she’s an Aggressive Informant, decides to ghost hunt…

A I: Jeez…how good are you two at haunting?

Dog: Haunting? Woof! I thought you said hunting!

Phsycotic ghost: I’m feeling faint.

Meanwhile, in the unhaunted garden.

Windy Lindy: Hi there! I’m looking for Airy. We heard this lovely haunted house isn’t haunted so we came out here to see if we could dig up some ghosts. Now I can’t find Airy. Jeez…maybe a ghost got her.

Voice: Hey Girlie! I saw your friend earlier. She seems a little flighty.

Windy looks around, but sees nobody.

Voice: Don’t bother looking. You can’t see me. I just came back to check on my property. I was hoping some ghosts had moved  in. The place was too drafty for me, so I busted out and moved to a condo in Florida. 

Windy: Yay a ghost! Airy Heart and I are pilots. Our airplane is in the shop. We’re waiting for the parts to get here so we can wing it again. 

Florida is full of blue hairs. It must be getting overly haunted by now. Why don’t you come back here? This story won’t go anywhere if we live in a spooky house without spooks. Although, things might pick up when the Ha Ha Sisterhood starts telling their divine secrets.

Voice: Secrets? I’m in. 

Meanwhile (again)…most of the Ha Ha (s) have arrived and a few of them are currently meeting in the parlor to discuss plans to fix up the fixer upper.

J: This place was a steal! Funny…I didn’t notice the hole in the roof when I stole it! Is that a dog on the couch or am I seeing things?

Pattycake:  No worries about the roof, J. It’s not raining. I don’t see a dog on the couch.

Airy: The hole will make for easy take offs and landings when our airplane gets fixed. I don’t see a dog on the couch, either. When can I tell my divine secret?

*************************

Voice:(sinisterly) Ha Ha Ha this is MY house and I have a secret! Ha Ha Ha! It’s going to send them all running!! That’s my dog on the couch. His name is Duke.

Have you ever wondered why hats became popular among Queens?  You’ll know why when I tell my bone chilling story.

Moderator: Now it’s getting verrry interesting

KK: I’m bored…and hot! I wish I had a dog.

PG: We’re hiding from the dog that isn’t on the couch. 

Secret time…All meet in the living room. (Ghosts don’t like living rooms.) We’ll go in alphabetical order. Where is A I?

I’m not going…not even for a bone chilling story. Do I look stupid?

Murdo rerun

Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot. . .Camelot? I think not!

An accounting of two years ago…

In July of 2016, it was as if by magic that Murdo became Murdoelot. For us it was a place that time forgot. Cousin Val and I were ‘royalty riding’ on the back of a red convertible in a reunion parade. We were Murdo Girl and her sidekick, Queen E. Val was in her $60.00 crown and lavish purple dress, (which she returned later because the lining wasn’t fit for a queen), and I was decked out in my red Kitty Reynolds’ gown and tinfoil crown. It was a magical time for sure!

If I remember right, people ran into the streets to greet us. They were screaming, “Murdo Girl!” I heard the chant over and over. I can close my eyes and still feel the love. I’m sure Val heard, “Queen E.” a couple of times, too. Both of us continue to relive that brief, but unbelievable experience as often and in as many ways as we possibly can. I even went all the way back to Murdo last summer and visited the convertible now housed in the Pioneer Auto Museum. It is my fervent wish that when I draw my last breath, there will be sufficient funds in my estate to stuff me and sit me on the back of that car. Now that should draw a crowd, don’t you think? Cousin Val can join me, but she’ll have to get a new dress in the meantime.

Cousin Valerie on Sanderson’s horse, Rex, (I think) and another parade in Murdo. Both shots taken a lot of years ago.

Anyway, I have other memories of those brief days in Murdoelot. I was standing in the Harold Thune Auditorium still wearing my red gown and crown when someone came up to me and asked for my autograph. I wish I could remember who it was. If you are out there and happen to read this, please know how much it meant to me to sign whatever it was you had me sign.

I took both of these memorabilia shots today. The sign was made by Marilyn and Sam Seymour. I love it! My mascot, Odrum is wearing a 2011 reunion hat.

My other regret of the day was that I didn’t wait for Mrs. Peters to turn around so I could hug her and tell her how much I admire her. Do you think someone told her I was dripping in sweat?

It was hotter than fire in there. I think it was because Coach Applebee made them put a plastic tarp on his precious floor. Sorry Coach…I have a high regard for you too, but that was just weird.

Because I’m Murdo Girl, and I had to remain dignified at all times, I didn’t drink, but I did hang out at the Buffalo Bar quite a lot. I just love crowds surrounding me. I drank so many diet cokes, I didn’t sleep for a week. They have the best steaks in the world there. My brother, Billy, eats one every day when he’s in Murdo. Billy hates diet coke.

Val and I saw our cousins Mark, Andrea, Greg, Jeff H., Terry, and some of their spouses and kids. We spent time with Aunt Elna and Aunt Irma, who just turned 98 last week. It was great to see many old friends and teachers. The Lindquist girls are the sweetest people in the world and lots of fun. Dean’s 80th birthday party was a real blast! Karen, Tammy and Kim are pictured below.

Judy Dykstra Brown presented me with an appropriate gift that I will always treasure, and Patti Dykstra Arnieri gave me a “Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow” pin to replace the one I lost. Who knew you could get them on Ebay? The Collage includes cooking, writing, a saxophone, music and money. The money represents my banking days. I didn’t have any, but I got to touch it.

Don Edwards and Bob Iverson at Dean Lindquist’s 80th birthday party…Breakfast with Ralph and Paul Thomas, Judy Dykstra Brown, Patti Dykstra Arnieri, and Jerry Elrod. Val and me with Suzanne Brost.

Although they weren’t able to stay up very late, we really enjoyed hanging out with Don Edwards, Eddie Jackson, and Eddie’s adorable and fun wife, Mari. I got to see one of my very best friends, Karen Snider and met her husband, Doug. Karen has always been very grateful that when I moved away, I gave her my job at the Draper State Bank.

My childhood home (You can’t see it.)

I was able to stand on the ground that covers my childhood home. The old basement house is buried under the tree at the Range Country Lodge. Val stayed in room #1. It doubled as the office when my parents owned what was then the Chalet Motel. Val and I reminisced about the times we cleaned that blessed room. I spent many hours in there renting out units and assuring people when they walked in, that it really was the office and not someone’s room.

When we fired up our rented nonconvertible on the day we left, Val and I wiped a tear or two from our eyes. We were only consoled by the fact we got to stay with Cynthia Edwards that night in Rapid City. She has a fabulous karaoke machine. I sang the whole “Four Seasons Greatest Hits” album. That Val can dance and Cynthia can sing and dance.

Well…it’s only three more years until the next Murdo All High School Reunion. Until then, I’ll keep my gown and myself preserved as best I can in hopes that Queen E and I can once again adorn the back of the red convertible and ride the streets of Murdo. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get up there under our own power. Maybe Deuter will drive us around the rather short route, twice.

Let it never be forgot that once there was a spot for one brief shining moment that was known as Murdoelot….plagiarized by Murdo Girl

**The above is all tongue in cheek. I’m really very shy. That’s why I take most of the pictures of me myselfie. I’m too embarrassed to ask someone else to photograph me. I don’t even think about anyone else reading what I write… Do you?

We’ve had a lot going on for a very long time. Most recently, we’ve had fun times with friends at Jamaica Beach outside of Galveston, and time at home with our son who came two weekends to build our steps and put in a new door for us. He brought six year old Charlie with him, so I got in some really awesome playtime with a very special granddaughter. As you can see we’re still working on minimalizing the garage.

********************

I thought it might be fun to check in on the Ha Ha Sisterhood.

*****************************************

It didn’t take long for the word to get around town that the Ha Ha(s) spent a day at the Loco funny farm only to be told they weren’t certifiable due to lack of commitment. They were devastated…for a few minutes. You see, the philosophy of the sisterhood is a single, if somewhat jumbled up, thought. If one crazy door slams in your face, another even crazier one will fly open. Knock on every door you come to until you find one that isn’t locked. If you think it’s locked, push harder. It could be stuck, or it could be the wrong door.

Lav: We need a place to live. Someplace that’s really big where we can all be together.

Yram: That’s a great idea, Lav. We should find a big old house in a secluded place where we can all live and tell our divine secrets to each other. How are we going to find a place like that?

Lav: How about we gather the sisterhood and have a meeting of the minds?

A meeting of the minds??? Is she kidding??? This might not end well…

This is the door they knocked on…

Three days later…Moving day…

J: Hi all! I’m the sister who found this fixer upper. It needs a little updating, but it’s a great space for us to tell our divine secrets.

Pattycake: Right, J… I’ll fire up the cauldron and bake us a nice cake.

Airy: Okay…we’ll start cleaning.

Windy: Do all the Ha Ha (s) have a broom?

PG: Check… I found a huge broom closet. When do I get to tell my divine secret?

Yram: I don’t have any secrets. I have everything printed on my T shirts.

**********************

What will the future bring for the Ha Ha Sisterhood?

Will Pattycake make Angel food or Devil’s food cake?

Will the divine secrets be compelling or dispelling?

Will the fixer upper’s walls tell all?

Will the fixer upper be on HGTV?

Wait!! Is there a ghost among them?
As we await the arrival of the remainder of the sisterhood, we will ponder these burning questions. I don’t know about you, but I’m a little spooked.

(Give me a break. I’m waiting for my brain to engage.)

This is Yram Sicnarf. I was asked to report on our Funny Farm experience, so I have written a little piece for the paper. It seems some of the loco locals think the Funny Farm isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I would be willing to bet they are just repeating some insane things they have heard others say and haven’t even darkened the unhinged door of the Nut House. I promise to tell it like it is. After all, they don’t call me a crack up reporter for nothing.

***********************

Lav rode her horse, named Loopy. Airy and Windy rode in their airplane which is temporarily grounded. They have it on the back of KK’s flatbed truck, which isn’t running with a full deck either. TC, AI, PG, PC and the Ha Ha Sisterhood, rode on the back of the hay wagon kindly provided by the Nut House. (I pulled it with my 1951 Willys Jeep.)

*********************

A day at the Funny Farm, By Yram Sicnarf

It was a barmy day as our group made it’s way to the only certifiable Funny Farm in the state. We figured as long as we were there, we might as well get certified.

Anyway, we made good time and arrived at the gates of the farm shortly before lunchtime. We were greeted at the door by a sweet young lady who said she was Daffy. We assumed Daffy would be the one to register us, but she had us sit in a waiting room and wait for the person who would admit us. That part was a little unpleasant. With the evergrowing Ha Ha sisterhood and all, we’re a pretty large group. One of the Ha Ha’s said she wished they could sit on the nice padded walls instead of the hard old benches. I tell you, those girls drive me bonkers sometimes.

Finally, a very nice looking man came in and said he was there to help us, but he wanted to get to know us first. This upset Lav just a little. She told the nice looking man she was worried about getting Loopy. (We had to leave the horse tied up outside,)

Windy, who is an animal lover said she was touched. The nice man told her she was in the right place.

Airy asked when we would get to eat lunch. She said she was so hungry she could even eat Patty Cake’s fruitcake. He didn’t hear her right because he said she really shouldn’t say fruitcake in a Nut House.

The Ha Ha Sisterhood asked if they could have their picture taken. He said he needed a break, so we could go to the building with a sign out front that said, Unstable. We assumed that was where they kept the horses, so we headed that way. We were gratified when we walked in, to see it was full of people eating lunch. We sat down and waited for someone to take our order.

A nice lady came over and said she was Kookie and handed us all some crackers. Airy said she was hungry for something more substantial and Kookie said there were nut cases in the hall.

Nuts sounded pretty good so we left the Unstable and started wandering every hall we could find looking for the nut cases. A I said she was feeling a little weird, so we went outside and sat under a tree and ate Patty Cake’s upside down cake. We had a great afternoon. We were all entertained by the divine secrets of the Ha Ha Sisterhood, and a group of ladies came by and serenaded us with their rendition of Crazy Arms by Ray Price. They were so cute with their arms all tied up.

By this time it was getting time to head back to town, so we went to find Daffy to thank her for everything. We told her we thought the Farm and and The Nut House were better than we had heard, and the only suggestion we had was they should put their nut cases in a place where people could see them.

So off we went with Lav on Loopy, KK driving the flatbed with Windy and Airy on the back in their airplane, and me in the Jeep pulling the hay wagon with all of the Ha Ha Sisterhood, TC, AI, PG and a few squirrels that were hiding in the hay. They must not have been able to find the nuts either.

I will conclude by saying, it’s a great place to clear the cobwebs out of your head and meet people just like you and me. We will be  going back soon. We forgot our certificates.

Update: PG called to see if they would mail our certificates. The FF said we weren’t certifiable. We weren’t committed enough.

 

 

 

 

Yram wakes up early Saturday morning and decides to walk uptown to get a cup of coffee before the book club meets. She hasn’t read the book yet, but something tells her it most likely won’t be an issue. She notices the town is pretty quiet. In fact, it’s downright silent…almost eerie. “Where is everybody?” Yram wonders. She has walked almost a block when she wearily sits down on the court house steps. (The book club meets in the court house.) Suddenly, she hears a click, click, click, click (4 clicks). Upon further investigation she decides it’s coming from north of her in the direction of Main Street. Tentatively, Yram gets up and walks toward the clicking sound. Her heart is beating and her pulse is pounding. (Or is it the other way around?)

Before she can see where the clicking is coming from, she hears a loud roar. Well, not really a roar. It sounds more like a truck engine that’s choking on something.

As she walks toward the click and the choking, the subjects of the noise come into view. It’s Lav on a horse and behind her is KK driving a flatbed, and on the flatbed are Windy Lindy and Airy sitting in their broken down airplane.

“wouldn’t it be easier to walk than to sit in your broken down airplane that’s riding on a choking truck?”

Yram looks at Lav and says, “Why are you riding a horse, Lav and where are you going? The book Club meets in five or ten.”

“We’re going on a hay ride,” Lav says. “There won’t be anyone at the book club meeting, Yram. Every letter of the alphabet, even all of the Ha Ha’s are going on the hay ride.”

“You’ve heard of the Ya Ya sisterhood?…We’re the Ha Ha Sisterhood.”

“We’re all going to the funny farm,” says the Ha Ha Sisterhood.

“Willingly?” Yram asks.

“Yes,” says PG. “Right now we’re trying to round up some Murdoites. AI is meeting us at the nut house.”

“The nut house?” Yram asks. “You’re kidding, right?”

“We wouldn’t kid you,” yells Windy Lindy. “The nut house is at the funny farm. Now let’s get going. I don’t like flying so close to the ground.”

“Flying on the ground is spooky, I think,” says Airy Heart. “I sure hope we get our airplane running again. I sure would hate it if I had to change my name. I like being Airy. My name used to be Bleeding Heart. I fainted all the time then.”

We live on the funny farm, but we’re moving. It’s just getting too crazy.

“I made a pineapple upside down cake,” says Patty Cake.

“Perfect,” says Yram. “We’ll all go to the nut house at the funny farm and ride around on hay while we eat upside down cake with the Ha Ha Sisterhood. Sounds like a blast!”

**************************

Back when I was a kid growing up in Murdo, I used to ride my skateboard down the court house hill. Times sure have changed. I wonder where all of the Murdo people are today? Probably hiding…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMM

Have you ever belonged to a book club? I joined one a couple of months before they took a summer break. I really enjoyed it, so I thought maybe some of my friends would like to start a new club. They say if you’re a book club member you are considered sort of elite. Other members will always invite you over for coffee and chitchat, or maybe give you rides places. Sometimes, they even read books. It makes sense. I know garden club members who wouldn’t know a petunia from a dandelion.

I’ve rounded up a few people and talked them into joining my book club. If any of you wish to join us, just message me or comment and I’ll add you to my member list. We have plenty of letters left in the alphabet. People were supposed to use each letter only once, but I had no idea so many were slysdexic. One member reads in seven different languages. Too bad none of them are English. PC will be reading every other page and baking cakes for us in between. PG and a few others have advanced themselves to the audio books. Funny…we haven’t read one book yet and people are already changing the rules. Q’s favorite thing to read is a menu. KK just wants to look at the pictures.

Anyway, you will be asked questions in the meetings and be expected to give thoughtful answers. No fair reading the comic book version or watching the movie. We have spies. You will be caught.

Now doesn’t this sound like fun? What book shall we read?

Below are a few members of the PC BC. You are allowed to use one letter of the alphabet to name yourself.

PC                             KK                         AA                           PG

TC                            Q                           AI                          WL

Y                                        A                                      L

I see we don’t have many rule followers. Oh, well. Lets have coffee! Patty Cake, I mean PC, cut the cake!

 

 

Hello there! I’m Yram Sicnarf, crack up reporter, extraordinaire. I’m back in Mabank on a special assignment. I have snagged an exclusive with Lindy Bergh and Airy Heart. They are the two pilots who keep showing up in the news. They take folks to England and other places with a royal presence. They used to drive everywhere, but they got too many speeding tickets, so they fly now.

Word has gotten around Mabank that I’m wanted in several states. They assume I am famous not notorious. Really…what’s the difference? Let’s let sleeping dogs lie, if you will. No use going around blabbing about restraining orders and plagiarism charges.

I think I see their airplane! Now where is my microphone and recorder? Oh, here they are. I sure wish I had a photographer. I’m not a very good drawer.

Yram…running up to the airplane just as the engines start up and the propellers start to whirl: Hey! wait for me. I’m Yram Sicnarf the crack up reporter! I’m here to interview you and splash your names all over the front page of every newspaper from Kemp to Eustace!

Lindy Bergh: It’s my birthday. We’re on our way to Jeanette’s house to celebrate. Hop in crack-up. We’ll talk on the way…shoot!

Airy Heart: You can ask me a question. I know everything. That’s just the way I am. I can even play the piano and sing my answers. I made a cherry salad for the party. Everybody loves it. What did you bring? Talk fast…it’s a short flight.

Crack-up, I mean Yram: This plane is flying upside down and headed for the lake. Is there a problem, Lindy Bergh?

Windy Lindy: Oh, am I flying the plane? Hold on, I’ll turn us over. We’re almost there. We’ll land behind Pat’s car.

Windy Lindy, Airy and Yram bounce a couple of times and amazingly, land right behind Pat’s car. Yram grabs her microphone and recorder and they go inside to enjoy all of the festivities.

*****************************************

The article in the next day’s paper:

Windy Lindy’s Birthday Bash, by crack-up reporter, Yram Sicnarf

After a harrowing flight across the mammoth Cedar Creek Lake, this reporter was looking forward to letting her hair down at the much talked about birthday bash for Lindy Bergh.

Here’s how it all went down.

After a delightful potluck luncheon, Lindy opened her cards and blew out her candle. (I couldn’t help but notice nobody showered her with a gift.)

The main event was followed by a rather lengthy discussion on two very interesting topics. *People who faint at the sight of blood, and *How to get out of a speeding ticket. (I tried to bring up restraining orders, but the ladies looked at me like I was from another planet.)

I hung around waiting for Lindy and Airy and finally decided to pick up a few dirty plates. I heard someone say not to worry about the dishes, so I dropped them so fast, every glass on the table rattled.

Guess I’ll head out for parts unknown. I like adventure and adventure likes me. See you around…I wonder which way parts unknown is…

Queen E: Shall we pick her up, Presho Girl?….PG: No, let’s not go there.

Happy Birthday, L J…Looking good!!