Tag: Pennsylvania

Margerumalia – A Christmas Story in PA

Eric Margerum

Newsletter – December 20, 2024

This year for Christmas, Debbie and I drove to the Millbrook Playhouse in Pennsylvania to see our daughter perform in The Christmas Story. She played the mother of Ralphie who desperately wants a BB gun for Christmas. You know the one: “An Official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.”

I think we heard that wish expressed rapid fire at least two dozen times throughout the play by the time the narrator—the grown up Ralphie—says it for the last time. That actor lingered over the words with such heart and nostalgia that it brought a lump to my throat. Oh, the things that mean so much to us at that tender age, even in the face of friends and family who repeatedly exclaim, “You’ll put your eye out!”

I remember when I bought a cassette player for my car, complete with AM/FM stereo, for the drive across country to start grad school at USC, my dad said “It’ll get stolen!” He was right, of course, but like our daughter’s performance of Mother in the play, he showed compassion and practicality when I phoned home to ask for help. Ralphie didn’t put his eye out, thankfully, but the kindness showed to the son who has to learn his own lesson felt very familiar. 

The live play performance had a lot to recommend it over and above the movie. The comedic moments played out in Ralphie’s mind by the actors in the play were spot on, with heightened drama that bordered on the absurd and drew appreciative laughter from the audience. 

Now I’m going to brag on my daughter. Indulge me, Her portrayal of Mother was honest, genuine, and, when needed, charmingly playful. She also showed us how entirely capable this woman was, and intelligent, and good-hearted. A few days later, when we took her and her fiancé back to New York we all went to see the Broadway musical Suffs, about the women who fought for the right to vote. I told my wife afterwards that women like the mother in A Christmas Story would do a much better job of running the country than The Old Man (Ralphie’s father) ever could. 

I’ll tell you more about Suffs and my mother the mayor next week. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, I hope your holidays are jam-packed with wonderful experiences that you get to share with family and friends. 

TTFN 


* * * * *

My middle grade novel, The Most Amazing Museum of Los Angeles is available through The BookBaby Bookshop at https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-most-amazing-museum-of-los-angeles

Margerumalia – A Happy Day in PA

Eric Margerum

Newsletter – October 25, 2024

Gmail and Yahoo recently updated their security systems. Please take a moment to add my email address [eric@ericmargerum.com] to your contacts or safe senders list to prevent my newsletters from landing in your Junk or Spam box.

* * * * *

I’m going to draw the curtain on the Marcie Saga with this photo from Pennsylvania. Her forever Mama sent it to me a day after taking her home and it’s endearing to see Marcie thriving in her new home alongside the toy bell mouse we bought for her. A toy she chased enthusiastically all over the basement! We feared Marcie’s reaction to the long car ride, but she settled into the trip very nicely. 

I now have a taste of what foster parents might feel when a child moves out of their home. That was always the plan and there’s great joy in knowing the child is happy and healthy. I learned that a caring foster parent can’t help but feel the empty space left behind, longing for reassurances that the child is doing well. We’ve gone through that. 

A few days ago I opened the back door to give food to Tabitha (Marcie’s birth mama) and one of the orange kittens. He let me pet him about seven or eight times while he gobbled his food and quickly broke into a satisfied purr just like Marcie’s. Tabby watched with interest but kept her distance—she’s a survivor.

By the way, a couple of newsletters ago I set up a vote to find out your favorite image of Marcie for a children’s picture book. At the the time I joked that it was good preparation for the national elections. THAT was well prophesied! It was a dead heat between A, B, and C at 30% each with the original photo capturing the last 10%. Haha!

I hope you exercise your right to vote if you haven’t already. I did. 

* * * * *

I need to go create a poster for the high school play I’m directing, so I’m making this short. The cast of Elsewhere will perform on November 1st & 2nd and would appreciate your positive vibes for a successful run. 

TTFN!

* * * * *

If you received this email because it was forwarded to you by a subscriber, welcome. You can subscribe as well by following the link on my website: ericmargerum.com. A free story awaits you there.