WASP Labor Day Observed, in the Smith-Standish Household

Today marks the beginning of the WASP Labor Day weekend in the Smith-Standish household.  Normally we would spend the day in our home in Shaker Heights, however,  I am delighted to tell you that I am writing from my daughter Melissa Smith-Standish Dalrymple's home outside of Boston in the city of Wellesley, Massachusetts.  As I am a native of Wellesley myself, it is a true home coming for yours truly.

Edwin and I seldom enjoy hosting family holidays at our home any more because of the commotion that it brings about.  If we were holding this gathering it would be organized around a traditional Labor Day cook-out it would be held at Shaker Heights Country Club.  After all we pay our money for membership, and they have a pool for the grandchildren and the bar tender knows exactly how Edwin enjoys his Johnny Walker Blue on the rocks.

Really, it's much easier that way.

So this sojourn to my home town is a grand treat for us.

Melissa's cottage in Wellesley, within a stones throw of the Hunnewell Estate

Melissa and her delightful husband Jonathan live in a charming Tudor manor - one that rambles picturesquely, and has every creature comfort that one could imagine.  Both Edwin and I thought that when they first considered this house that it would be a bit too much for such a young couple and our three rambunctious grandsons, however Melissa has really stepped up to the plate, learned to speak Spanish and now has total command of that romance language and the household help.

Our other children - Paige, Bill, and our twins, Charles and Bruce, will join us on Sunday for a cook out and

I should mention that Bill's wife Bridgette will be joining us, as will Paige's husband Dr. Gerald Creighton and their children.  And Chip (that's what we call our Charles) is bringing his fiance, Bunny, and Bunny's son Ozzie.  And then there is our special treat: Bruce and his husband "Master John" have flown in as well.  I have asked Bruce to make "John" leave his chaps in the guest house.

And for a special treat, guess who is operating the grille for this festive event?  None other than Edwin!

I hope he doesn't do us all in with his rare steaks.


After our meal, we'll watch the children play, and then we'll set up two tables for duplicate bridge.  Last year "Master John" won the family trophy at the last labor day event and I am bound and determined to win it back at any cost.

At nine o'clock the children will go off to bed and the adults will gather in the den to plan out our holiday travel schedules to make sure that no one's feelings are hurt if someone can not be with the rest of us at the Country Club on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

And at 10:30, I will retire - and hopefully without Mr. Smith-Standish's cooking reminding me what I had for dinner.

Onto Fall; full steam ahead!

With deep gratitude,

Mrs. Edwin Smith-Standish