Salem

I jinxed us when I noted the great weather we've been experiencing. we woke to rain, well, not Florida rain, but New England drizzle. Good thing I packed two umbrellas, as Barbara's jacket has no hoodie.

The weather kept us abed later than usual, plus the Peabody Essex Museum did not open until 10, so need to get up and about early. We arrived just as the Museum opened and I tried to smile when I discovered that all those wonderful treasures I rememebred (the mummy, the Shinto shrine, the scrimshaw Lord's Prayer and more) were packed away in storage. One docent even had to hunt for a man who recalled the elephant tusk doorway! Everyone assured me that many would be back on display once the new wing was completed by the end of this year.  (I knew I needed to be adult about it, but I felt like someone had gut-punched me. "You really can't go home again" was my mental mantra while Barbara and I wandered the exhibits that are there - mostly Oriental art and 18th century furnishing. None of the wonders Salem's world-voyaging captains brought back to entice and amaze their neighbors. The world is dimmer place now. Only twice did my heart-memory kick - first when we visited the lounge of Thomas Crowninshield's yacht Cleopatra's Barge, which is memory serve me he intended to rescue Napoleon from his exile; second - when I accidentally walked into the East India Maritime Hall, though all that remains are the ships' figureheads.

At the Museum, I did see two things that tickled my fancy. One was a pair of porcelain sculptures from China (I think Nagasaki) when the Dutch were trying to gain a toehold in the Orient that caused me to quip,"Who knew? Even back then Republicans and Democrats were belligerent." The other was walking into the restroom to find a geisha getting herself ready for a performance in the Chinese House exhibit in the museum.

From the museum, we walked past the Salem Witch Memorial and its adjoining burying ground, but could find no graves from that era. I explained to Barbara about Danvers being Salem Village and where Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor lived.  Later in the day, we took a brief tour of Wadsworth Cemetery in Danvers, but, once again, I could not find those three 1630's gravestones that so mesmerized me as a child. Though I did find "snowballs" again. I still have no idea what type of flowering shrub/tree they are, but I immediately regressed to age 8!!

Then off to Central Wharf. There we found the Friendship, returned to Salem after a three year absence. We couldn't board her, nor could we view the Customs House as both are closed until Memorial Day. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the walk down the wharf line and the view of the harbor until the windy rain drove us away.(Still not Florida rain.)

On our walk through the sculpture garden, I spotted this very cool tree. Any ideas as to its name?  The pic on the right is a close up of its leaves. I really do need to become more of a plant person. My friend Jean has the right idea - find an app that names plants by their leaves. Unfortunately, I never think of that when I'm home, because I just call her and she knows! Helps to know a Master Gardener!!

Back in Danvers, I began to feel a bit more of "home" as Maple Street School and the Congregational Church appeared. The Achenbach's house looked the same. Summer Street still has its maple trees, though it's now almost a subdivision. 39 looks pretty much like a remember it, though smaller. All the homes that dot the fields and groves were no real surprise. The Prep looked the same, but more so. We lunched at Putnam Pantry. As we were leaving I remarked to Barbara that I was so glad it looked and smelled the same. The woman ringing up my purchases said how pleased she was to hear that as often people complained about new paint or different furniture arrangement. I told her that the Pantry was part of life younger life as Wink and Sally Emerson had been parental friends and my first ride in a luxury car had been in Wink's Avanti. She laughed and said, "They're my grandparents!"

The day ended on a definite high. Deb Siegel Kumar was one of my Interact kids who graduated from Middleburg High in 1988. She lives in Beverly and when she read on FB that I'd be in the area, we agreed to meet for dinner at Nick's Famous Roast Beef. We did and it was wonderful! I feel like I have re-found a kindred spirit! The time sped by and I wish we'd had longer together. Plus the sandwich and the onion rings were as fabulous as I remembered!

A day that began in drizzle with disappointment ended in bright sunshine with a feeling of camaraderie. Yes!!