“Bunny’s Having a Pah-ty” - theHumm April 2024

By Glenda Jones

When we were kids and we’d drive past a house with lots of cars in front, my Mom would say: “Bunny’s having a pah-ty and we didn’t get our invitation”. I think it was from a song or a story, or maybe it was simply an expression from her bridge club, but it’s stuck with us.

The very word “party” stirs excitement. I haven’t hosted one in many years, but love the idea of getting friends together, spending days making favourite foods, setting out the best glasses, finding all the serving dishes, cleaning the house, making sure the pets are corralled. Wait a minute: did I say I love this idea? Indeed, I do love the idea, but it’s enough now to make me slap my forehead and run for a tranquilizer! I don’t know that I’m up for the challenge anymore.

After the last few years, we have gotten away from group gatherings in our homes altogether. A dinner party for four is as much as I can muster, and the very thought of a proper cocktail party in the afternoon is way out of my ken.

Imagine our pleasure then, to be invited to a proper afternoon wine & cheese party. We were welcomed like old friends, and the greeting felt like a home-coming as we met people we hadn’t seen for a long while, and new people we surely hope we will meet again. Our hosts were exemplary with introductions, remembering everyone’s name as if there was going to be a test at the end of the afternoon. Very impressive, especially for those of us who hear a name only to have it float to cyberspace before it registers properly. Everyone was made to feel at ease in their beautiful home and gorgeous garden. We knew we were going to have a good time.

A fine array of wines was generously laid out on the counter, accompanied by a tray of shot glasses for tasting without over-imbibing. What a concept! I must say, no glasses remained empty for long.

And now to the food. Imagine a banquet set for a king, imagine desserts fit for a queen, imagine every kind of good thing at any party you ever attended. Well, it was all on the table for our enjoyment. Sally and Rob (let’s not beat around the bush!) must have made many shops happy with their fine choices of cheese, meats, snacks, and so much more. It was obvious there had been major kitchen work going on for a few days to produce the splendid array of appetizers too numerous to mention. All to say, it looked like a photo shoot right out of Food & Drink magazine. However, it only took a few minutes before samples were being nibbled and plates assembled.

You know a party is successful when the guys gather in the kitchen, the women in a knot by the food table, and the noise level rises with laughter and new stories. There was a lot of catching up to do: holidays, new books, grandkids and dogs. Chairs got moved in closer, conversations were animated, and all the while glasses and plates were filled.

An event like this doesn’t just happen; it takes a whole lot of planning and a real desire to give guests a party to remember. I can recall apprehensively wondering if people would come, if they’d get along together, if the food would be acceptable, and all manner of other concerns. And then the doorbell would ring, and it was Game On. In a few hours the event would be over, we’d be tired, but content that it had come off as we planned. I hope that was how Sally and Rob felt when the dishes were done and the house was quiet. Perhaps the sound of good cheer was still echoing in the living room. For sure we came home exhilarated by the convivial company of the afternoon. Further, having done a party myself made me truly thankful for their efforts to make this friendly afternoon such a genuine pleasure for everyone.

This is going to be a summer of celebration at our house. I wonder if I start now, could I create a party to remember? You’ll know if I do. You’ll see the cars, and you won’t be driving past thinking Bunny didn’t invite you to the party. You’ll be here too.

IS THIS A PROTEST? - theHumm April 2024

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

You bet it is! And it’s the first arts protest theHumm has covered in our 24 years of existence. This creative arts protest is the inspiration of two residents of the new Artisan Village in Smiths Falls. Those of you who read the feature article in our October 2023 issue will not be surprised to learn that Bel Angeles is one instigator. Opal Adams is the other. Both of these small, non-white female artists continue to struggle against and overcome sign......

“Bunny’s Having a Pah-ty” - theHumm April 2024