Saturday, January 20, 2007

A Wedding in Greenwich

In the early days of our marriage, mr. kenju and I were invited to the wedding of a college classmate of his, which was being held in Greenwich, Connecticut. It promised to be a terrific party, and there was no way we would miss it. We would go to NYC, stay with his parents and then drive to the wedding on Sat. morning.

We couldn't leave Norfolk until Friday after work, so we set out late that afternoon in our 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, pearl white with apple red interior. As we approached New Jersey, it began to snow; small flurries at first and then ever larger and larger flakes. New York is really beautiful in the throes of a snowstorm, especially at night. We arrived at his parent's home about 11 pm and soon went to sleep, being very tired from the trip but nonetheless excited about the party coming up.

Awaking the next morning early, we were greeted by the sight of snow at least 12" deep. Undaunted (as the young often are), we never considered not going northward to the wedding, so Mr. kenju put the wedding gift in the trunk of the car (which, as you'll remember, is in the front), and we set out a little early, to allow extra time in the snow.

We had to cross the Throg's Neck Bridge, which was icy, since the cars travelling over it earlier in the day had packed the snow down hard. It was also very windy up on the bridge; it is very high, which allows boats to travel under it easily. You may read about this bridge here:


As we began our ascent up the bridge, the wind blew open the trunk hood of the Volks, flattening it back against the windshield, which, by some miracle, was not broken. Mr. kenju stopped the car, and attempted to get out so he could secure the hood. The bridge was icy and the wind was so fierce, that he could hardly get out of the car to begin with, and almost fell on the ice several times before he made it to the front of the car. Adding to the aggravation, his hat blew off. Retrieving it was a real pain. Pulling the hood down against the wind was a feat fit for Superman, but he eventually got it down. Since the hood had been bent, he had to tie it down to the grill. Eventually, we got on our way again.
We arrived in Greenwich late, of course. The wedding had already started, and so we decided to go on to the reception site and wait for the party to begin.
I know this is a very long post - but there is more to the story. If you'd care to read on, go here:

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are doing no favor for our kids by indulgence. It is so easy to do when you grew up without certain things and you want to shower your children. It just isnt a good idea. It is a great disservice to them because they cannot grow into functioning adults when they have never had to wait, prepare, earn or wish for things.

I have seen 13 year old girls here with brand names that I never saw until I was adult. It always makes me think.

Anonymous said...

sounds like a "hair raising" trip over that there bridge, lady!!
Glad you made it OK!!
:-D

Anonymous said...

Is somebody taking up a collection for the paint to throw on the fine furs? (Just asking; count me out.)

Mr. Kenju is a real, real, real live trooper.

Star said...

Our first car wa also a Volkswagon Beetle

Anonymous said...

I just love adventures into nasty weather - always have. I guess it's a true test of one's mettle on Mother Nature's terms -

Michele sends her best,

Mike

carmilevy said...

The Throgs Neck and Bronx-Whitestone bridges were regular fixtures in my young life. My aunt and uncle lived in Long Island, and we would take these bridges often on our way to see them.

I can only begin to imagine what that experience must have been like. As soon as you said 12 inches and Beetle, I knew the ending wouldn't be good: those cars were a handful in nasty winter weather.

Shephard said...

I often refer to this new generation as "the entitlement generation" ...
Great story. I love the bridge's name.. it sounds like a bridge that really goes some place interesting.

~S :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

How was the reception, Judy...I thought the post went on, but couldn't find it! What monthg of what year was that? I remember a horrendous snowstorm at the beginning of January 1964 that was so bad, everything shut down in and around New York City....!

I know that bridge very well....and that trip was incredibly scary sounding! Mr. Kemju certainly had a lot of ingenuity to tie down the trunk...Lucky that there was rope in the car to do that! Great Snowstorm Story, my dear!

Eddie said...

Judy,
Our sons live both live a moderate to frugal life. They use coupons and go to sales and some of their friends wouldn't dream of either. The same friends are deeply in debt and always seem to have bitten off more than they can financially chew. Our sons, more than once have told the best thing we gave them is nothing much.

Anonymous said...

That sound slike quite an adventure. Sound slike r Kenju had to pitch himself against the elements and gald to hear that he came out on top.

I looked for the rest of the story but couldn't find it. I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about overindulgence though.

Anonymous said...

Wow! That's committment. I would have no doubt seen the snow and gone back to sleep.

And I walk several miles in the snow (both ways! Uphill! With no shoes!) in New York City when I have to get to work, so it's not so romantic to me anymore. . . unless it's, like, Christmas.

My parents got married in the middle of a blizzard. But they got married smack in the MIDDLE of Brooklyn, so the only people who were inconvenienced were them. They were supposed to spend the night at the Plaza, and that had to wait several years. Here from M.

Anonymous said...

Hi Judy! Happy Day. It's Sunday and I thought I'd drop by to see what's going on in your world.

I loved the story - and the second post as well, though they're two verrry different posts!

The bridge story impressed me. Like Carmi, as soon as you said "beetle" and "snow", I expected some kind of mishap. Your experience had me remembering the day I took my father's Isuzu Pup to work one Saturday morning during near blizzard conditions. It was so tiny and had so many rust holes that it was literally blown across the highway when I crossed an ice-covered brigde! I still remember being in shock and trying to pull the battered truck off the highway with my barehands.

As for the second post, I agree. My parents didn't give me everything. I had enough toys, but not all of them. I had functional clothes that were fashionably acceptable, but not the horribly expensive brand names. I was taught to earn money for the extras I wanted. Champs was brought up the same way, and this is how we are raising Sweet Girl. Everyone comments on how well she is dressed, but I don't spend a lot. I am a whiz at bargain shopping and second-hand shopping and she'll get to be that way, too.

I think part of the problem is the freehand we have with credit cards. A friend spent more than $3000.00 over Christmas, complaining the whole time about the fact that they had to exchange gifts with more than 40 people and how her child was getting more toys that she knew what to do with. By contrast, I think I spent about $400.00 and all of it was cash. Spent and done; I don't have the burden over my head - and, we drew names. Now, Sweet Girl may not have recieved as many presents, but the ones she did recieve meant all the more to her. I hope we can continue this way.

Anonymous said...

LOL! It's snowing here today, and I'm debating on whether to head out to the supermarket to pick up food for the football game later. There is an inch of snow on the ground, aferall!
Here via Michele's, and I'm so glad I stopped by. I love those b&w pictures.

Anonymous said...

Interesting post. And this buy now, pay later seems to be getting only worse. They want everything yesterday.
Working hard, waiting for material things and being wise with money all brought me to where I am today....NOW I can indulge all of my whims....and feel that I EARNED it. Which is something I don't see much of in the younger generation.

amarkonmywall said...

Great story. I have to say, the description of that ice and Mr. Kenju on the bridge sounded as though it could transition into some sort of Hitchcock movie.

Yesterday I saw a woman wearing a BIG and heavy full length coat, of several types of exotic furs, walking around here in Chicago. She as wearing it over jeans. The whole vision was repugnant to me.

On the other hand, baby Kenju in the post below is soothing and sweet and calms my brain and makes me smile. Have a great Sunday

Pat said...

Funny how what would be a nightmare now was exciring fun then!

Anonymous said...

Hey Judy! Michele sent me back again. I wonder if, now, you would have made the trip to the wedding? You can never underestimate the adventuresomeness of youth, can you?

srp said...

A VW Beatle, white no less, in a white snowstorm? I am surprised that the little car didn't get covered up with snow from the snowplows! Isn't it amazing how fearless we were when young?

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Re-reading those two posts was GREAT Fun, Judy. I remember when you posted them, and there were comments on each one by me.
Like you, I do not subscribe to wearing fur anymore....But, I did have a short Mink Coat...(1968 I think) that I loved at the time....I cannot imagine wearing it now....And haven't worn it for probably 25 years....!
GREAT POSTS, my dear.
I look forward to your Christmas Pictures.