GraciousJaneMarie.com's MarthaBear.com

GraciousJaneMarie.com - Roses, Recipes, Romance

Word spread that the long awaited and much anticipated publication of Jane Marie's historic romantic novel, The Goodbye Lie, set in her very own town of Fernandina, Florida on Amelia Island was finally here.  Naturally, friends, family and critters wanted to do something special for their beloved author.

Since Martha Bear® was Senior Ursine Editor of Gracious Jane Marie, the free monthly newsletter celebrating heart & home with roses, recipes and romance, in addition to being advisor and dearest friend to Jane Marie, it seemed natural for Martha to call a meeting. 

"Listen, everyone. Listen, please.  We have all read the advance copy of Jane Marie's new book, and we've gathered here in the Pine Tree Place to plan a surprise book launch like no other."

Heads bobbed and tails wagged in agreement.

"But how can we make this party different from all our other parties, Martha Bear®?" asked Wink E. Bear, the proprietor of Teddy Cares Grocery.  "You know I'll be happy to make hors d'oeuvre trays with Jane Marie's favorites like Bacon Stuffed Tomatoes and Cheese Straws.  I will also whip up some special Critter Crunchies for those who prefer such, but what else can we do for Jane Marie?"

"We can have falloons (balloons)!" suggested Spew, the cross-eyed kitty with the slight speech impediment.

meet the Florida Felines

"Good idea," encouraged Airborne, Martha Bear's advisor (even bears need advisors) and companion in his most gentle voice.

"I saw some noisemakers left over from New Year' Eve that were 70% off down at the five and dime," Antuneio Toad told everyone.  "And I'm sure I have enough time to write a special song dedicated to The Goodbye Lie.  Maybe it will one day be the theme song for the movie!"  Realizing he was getting well ahead of himself, he returned to the present.  "Our very own Amelia Island Toad Choir of tiny toadlets will be happy, I'm sure, to volunteer a little extra practice time for Jane Marie.  Oh, and we can even feature a soloist. Let me think.  Who would be good enough to ...?"

"Cluck-- cluck, cluck.  Please, let me do it," screeched Mrs. Squawkhouser, the singing chicken who was known more for her ability to spread gossip than for her dulcet tones.

"On one condition," offered Antuneio. "You have to promise not to tell Jane Marie about the party.  You know how she loves surprises.  Is it agreed?"

"It will be most difficult.  Mmm.  Mmm," the chicken agonized, understanding the depth of the situation. "I will tape my beak shut and wear mittens over my wings so I can't write any notes, but I won't tell.  I promise."

"Whew!" said all those present.

"Your three bearlings, Martha, can make potato stamped decorations and paper chains like the children did in Jane Marie's story," suggested Mr. Buzzbee, the feline with the light gray eyes.  "I'd help, but since cats have no thumbs, it's hard to hold a potato."

 meet Martha's bearlings

"I can be in charge," offered Art, the bearling who loved to draw on walls.

Martha Bear® said excitedly, "I will let Jane Marie sit on my special bear chair, the one she's personally hand painted it with flowers!"

"And we can serve Brunswick Stew," suggested Next Door Maggie.  "That's in the book too."

 "Then how about cornbread with apple butter?" Martha Bear® said. "Jane Marie put that yummy combination in The Goodbye Lie, and I know it would go well."

"I want chaulkwit (chocolate) cake," announced Button, the calico baby kitten.

 meet Button, the kitten

"I didn't realize you could read anything, Button, let alone read an epic novel like The Goodbye Lie that mentions Aunt Noreen's Chocolate Cake," said a very surprised Wink E Bear.

 meet Wink E. Bear

"I dint read it in the book," replied the sweet furry thing who loved to play in water and who had only recently learned to talk. "I can't read. I just want chaulkwit cake."

They all giggled.  Discovering that her talking made observers laugh, Button continued, "I like to wash my paws in the toilet water."

All laughter ceased at this most distasteful thought.  Martha Bear® instructed her curly furred bearling, "Poodle, please take our precious Button into the powder room and bathe her in the sink."

Button squealed with delight.  "A bath!  A bath!"

Eyes widened in surprise that a cat should like water so very much. 

Martha could only shrug her wide bear shoulders. "Now, back to business everyone.  Why don't we just prepare all the recipes mentioned in Jane Marie's book?"

"Goodie.  And will you invite the rest of the feline staff, Madge and Parnell from Tallahassee, along with Jane Marie's daughter, Barbra, and her husband, and relatives and friends from all over, too?" asked Next Door Maggie whose white hair sparkled in the sunlight that peeked through the needles that shaded the Pine Tree Place.

"Of course, Mags," Martha Bear® explained. "But as editor extraordinaire, Nancy, Jane Marie's dear sister, is first on our out-of-town list."

"Will Aunt Nancy's doggies, General Dogsbody, Blondie and Haggis be there?" asked Pickles, Martha Bear's number three bearling.

 meet our Canine Staff

"Oh, please say the whole Whickers mouse family can come, Mr. Whickers, Mrs. Whickers and Satin, Suede and Harry, I mean, Little Cheese," pleaded Poodle from the powder room.

 meet the Whickers family

"Yes, yes, yes!  Make no mistake anyone.  We will have a manor full, inside and out.  We'll have to get the flowerbeds weeded.  We'll have to inspect for any cobwebs and dust bunnies.  We'll have to ..."

"What about Uncle Teddy O™?" asked Button who was turning fuzzy with each swipe of Poodle's drying towel. "Can he come, Martha Bear®?"

meet Teddy O™ as Bear with No Name

Martha Bear® scooped up the still damp calico kitten and rocked her in her strong bear arms.  She sighed, thinking how pleased she was that she let her bearlings adopt such a darling kitty.  "It wouldn't be a complete gathering if Teddy O™ weren't here." 

Three bearlings and one tiny kitten cheered.  Those who were older smiled politely, already concerned about whatever Teddy O™, that most rascally bear from Belgium by way of Oklahoma City, might do.

Plans progressed as several hectic days passed.  It was decided Jane Marie's celebration would be a costume party.  Guests were encouraged to come as a character  from Jane Marie's book.  To add to the fun, there would be a short "Readers' Theatre" presentation.  Those participating would be given a scene to act out.

The day of the surprise party arrived.  Marketing Wizard Bruce, Jane Marie's husband, had been in on the scheme and taken her off for a romantic getaway in town at the Florida House, the oldest tourist hotel in the state.  The Florida House was mentioned in the book, and it was agreed that this over night would bring the total experience of The Goodbye Lie alive for the woman who had written it.

Visitors were stashed everywhere, in the linen closet, under the sink, behind the armoire, beside the umbrella stand, in the cookie jar, on the rattan shelf in the bath - the size of the visitor being the only limitation to finding a good hidie-hole.  When Jane Marie crossed the threshold of Stately Martha Manor, "Surprise!" could be heard from the north end of Amelia Island to the south, followed by a cacophony of whoops and whistles.

Shocked, yet not quite speechless, "What - what is everyone doing here?" she asked as she began hugging, kissing, petting and patting everyone who was supposed to be hugged, kissed, petted or patted.  I'm so glad to see you all!"  Possessing keen powers of observation, Jane Marie immediately noticed that almost everyone was dressed in period costumes circa the 1880s.  "But what is all this?" 

Martha Bear® answered over the joyous noise. "This is a launch party for The Goodbye Lie!"

"A launch party.  How very wonderful of you all!" and tears of appreciation streamed down Jane Marie's face.  Most other eyes began leaking then, too.

About that time, the bearlings and Button could be seen pulling a precariously balanced five-layer cake in their little red wagon down the hall and into the parlor.  "Make way," each called out. 

Martha Bear® looked to Wink E Bear.  Wink E looked to Airborne.  Airborne looked to Mr. Buzzbee.  All wondered who had ordered such a grand cake, obviously from a bakery. 

"I hope each of you has brought your sweet tooth along this day," said Jane Marie.  "We need a serious effort to do justice to this cake and to the two others I see over there on the beautiful buffet table."

"Oh no," Button called out.  "You can't eat ..." 

Poodle quickly covered Button's pink kitten lips with her bear paw.  "Shh!  Don't spill the beans."

"What beans?  I thought we were worried about spilling the cake?" questioned a confused baby kitty.

Suddenly, from the top of the yellow and pink and green festooned layer cake, Teddy O™ popped up.  That most mischievous of bears was dressed as a sailor though no one could quite figure what sort of sailor he was supposed to be.  The gathered guests awaited explanation.  The bearlings and Button didn't wait though.  They began yipping and yapping, pleased to be part of their Uncle Teddy's surprise for Jane Marie.

When no one applauded his entrance, Teddy O™ exclaimed, "Do I have to draw you duffuses a picture?  See these gold paper stripes on my T shirt sleeves and the magazine picture of a fried egg on my sailor's hat?  The stripes show my rank as an officer and the fried egg shows I'm the captain.  I'm dressed as Waite Taylor, captain of the luxury passenger liner, Gentle Comfort.  I'm one of the most important characters in Jane Marie's story!"

As a whole, the group exclaimed, "Oh!"

 Airborne flew to Teddy O's ear and whispered.  "Sorry Ted, but the fancy naval insignia demonstrating rank is referred to as scrambled eggs, not fried eggs."

Teddy O™ laughed.  "The yoke's on me!"

Martha Bear® went up to Teddy O™, who was clearly pleased with himself and feeling very handsome in his homemade costume.  "But Teddy O™, you didn't plan on reading the part of Waite Taylor in the Readers' Theatre, did you?  Wink E Bear is performing that role."

Being the ever generous and gentle bear that he was, Wink E called out, "It's alright, Martha.   Teddy O™ may take the part.  I'll just be a spectator and enjoy the show."  Martha Bear™ smiled, much relieved at the avoidance of a distasteful confrontation between the two very attractive male bears. 

"Show?" asked Jane Marie.

And Martha Bear® explained how they would read and act out selected scenes from the opening pages of The Goodbye Lie.

As the festivities progressed, costumes were admired and critiqued.  The dogs had come to the party dressed as the visiting royalty they wished Jane Marie had mentioned in her book because they had been looking for an excuse to wear their matching tiaras.  Everyone else exhibited a keen sense of antique fashion.  Satisfied costume-wise, the guests selected yummies to fill their tummies.

Eventually, Martha Bear® called out, "Please find a seat.  We're about to begin the entertainment."

Airborne, as director, cued all the players.  He pointed here.  He pointed there, and one by one, all manner of voices, called out, "Readers' Theatre.  Readers' Theatre.  Readers' Theatre."

Nancy, as narrator, stepped forward and began: 

"It's sultry summer in 1882.  In the tiny Southern town of Fernandina, Florida on Amelia Island ..."  

Applause and cheers interrupted the production.  

Once calm was restored, "I want my tiptoes to touch the roof, Daddy.  Please push me a little harder."  Script in her tiny hand, Georgette Chameleon, as Little Marie, swayed to and fro on the mantle in simulation of swinging, the yellow braids of her homemade yarn wig doing likewise.

"Creak, creak," squeaked Art, the bearling who had won the honor of being sound effects master.  "That's supposed to be what a swing sounds like when it's hanging from a plank in the ceiling of the barn," he explained in a less than soft whisper.

Jane Marie giggled with pure delight.

Nancy continued, "The child strained to reach the ceiling to add her personal scuffmarks to the scarred plank, the same as her older brother and sisters had done over the years."

"I want a swing in our barn!" announced Button.

"Shh!" replied Mr. Buzzbee softly.  "Besides, we don't have a barn."

"How come we don't have a barn, Jane Marie?  Can you make one?  What's a barn?"

Everyone chuckled at the calico baby. "I'll tell you all about it later, angel.  Let's all just enjoy the play, shall we?"

"Yea!  Let's go play!"

Explaining into Button's tufted ear, the youngin' was satisfied momentarily and settled on to Daddy Leo's lap.  Jane Marie was pleased to see her dog-loving father stroking Button's back with an occasional chuck under her chin for good measure.

 meet Leo

"Um?  Um?"  Nancy said as she tried to find her place.  Recovering quickly, "Little Marie's father, Carroll Michael Dunnigan, had built a chair swing in the barn for his youngsters so they could actively play, even when it rained.  He rarely refused his children anything if he felt it would not harm them and if it was within his power to give." 

Dressed in a string tie and having dumped what looked to be an entire can of talcum power into the fur atop her tiara-crowned head, Michael Dunnigan alias General Dogsbody, the large female dog from Oklahoma replied, "To my mind," he (she) told his wife, Miss Ella, played by Mrs. Taffy Whickers, proud wee wife of the proprietor mouse of Martha Bear's General Store and Online Emporium, "There's no such thing as spoiling a child.  That's why they're put on this earth." 

Taffy Whickers as Miss Ella adjusted the large bow she'd tied around one ear because it was cutting off the circulation.

"What's an earth?" asked Button.

Daddy Leo, a former science teacher, refrained from a detailed explanation of the planets until a more opportune time, saying only, "It's the huge ball of dirt on which we all live.  I'll show you a picture later," promised the gentle father of four.

"OK. Don't forget."

"Now, Michael," acted Taffy Whickers, "if our children receive all they ask for, how will they contend with life when things don't run their way?  They've never known real hardship or consequence."

"Nonsense!" barked General Dogsbody as Michael.  "Would you wish on them what we've been through?  With the war behind us, we're finally all living in hog heaven.  Now stop your fretting.  They'll cope.  Dunnigans always do."

"Well, in any case, I'll see if I can't hurry up dinner," replied Taffy.

"I'm hungry, Jane Marie," Button said aloud.

"Pickles, please pass that bowl of Critter Crunchies, would you?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Thank you.  Here Button, have some of these, but try and chew softly, won't you.  Please continue General Dogsbody."

"What, do you mean, 'Dinner will be a while'?"

"Yes, Michael.  If you ..."

"What's for eats?" came a booming bear voice from down the hall.

Nancy looked at her script as did all in the play.  Nowhere did it say, "What's for eats?"

Then came the explanation as Teddy O™ walked center parlor in his captain's uniform.  "How does everyone do?" he asked in his deepest voice as he tried to exude charm.  Bowing at the waist, he removed his sailor's cap with the picture of the fried egg still attached, but somewhat wrinkled.  "I understand you make some fine vittles, Miss Ella.  I believe some cornbread would tide me over until your pot of beans is finished cooking.  You know how your husband hates hard beans."

Taffy Whickers thought fast to fill the stunned and silent void.  Teddy O™ wasn't following the story exactly, but he had referenced the beans mentioned in Jane Marie's book, so she adlibbed. "Why yes, Captain.  I do have some hot cornbread just waiting for you all on the sideboard.  Would you care to come inside and have some?"  So we can get you off the stage, she thought.

"No thanks," Teddy O™ said, not referring to his script at all  - it appeared to have been mangled and scribbled upon.  "I was just a wondering where art the lovely Breelan, thine good looking daughter.   Hast a danged tornado plucked her from the shore and up into the clouds?"

Hearing the name of her part after having given up trying to find her place in the story, Martha Bear®, as Breelan Dunnigan, entered from the kitchen dressed in a long pink gown and what looked to be a brown wig made from an old chenille bedspread.  Smiling in the glare of the floor lamp whose shade had been removed to brighten the "stage," the large white ursine adlibbed as well.  "I'm here, you handsome rascally captain you.  Why, wherever in the world have you been keeping yourself?  Wanta make some bread?"

Nancy jumped in, in a futile effort to pull the play together.  Looking at her sister, the author, she said, "Yes, bread making was a common activity in 1882 on Amelia Island.  Many's a boy and girl found their passions rising as they kneaded the dough, much as baking bread fills with air bubbles to lift the crust of even the hardest of hearts. " She added under her breath, "Whatever that means."

The audience began to giggle.  The giggles turned to chuckles and the chuckles turned into turned knee slapping chortles.  Someone shouted, "The End," and applause broke out.

Antuneio Toad led his high pitched singing group of twelve tiny toadlets and solo artist, Mrs. Squawkhouser, into the parlor serenading all with his recently composed theme for The Goodbye Lie.

The Goodbye Lie,
The Goodbye Lie,
Your heart will love it.
Give it a try.

 It can be silly,
In parts that's true.
But oh so epic,
With romance, too.

"But wait," pleaded Teddy O™.  "I haven't kissed the girl yet."

"Sorry pal," Wink E Bear told him over the falsetto toad voices and the appropriately named screech, albeit in tune, of Mrs. Squawkhouser.  "You've missed your chance."

"Say, Teddy O™.  What happened to your script?" asked Airborne. "Did a dog eat your homework," he teased.

"You might say that.  And after I'd gone to all the trouble of rewording my part.  Nancy's Haggis chewed it up and got doggie-spits all over it.  I tried to dry it in the clothes dryer, but it just sort of curled up and turned brown.  I once saw that dog chew on a brick!"

"She sure did," Nancy verified. "Haggis is an equal opportunity eater.  She'll eat anything!"

Sitting there in Martha's special bear chair amongst the commotion and singing, Jane Marie was overwhelmed by all the attention from her family and friends.  She openly wept with appreciation.

Seeing her tears, Button immediately recognized them as water and dashed up to lick Jane Marie's cheeks.

"Salty!" said the little kitten.

"Yes, Button.  Just like the Big Pond [Atlantic Ocean]."

"Good idea! Let's go swimming!" yelped the baby cat.

"Can we all go, Mama?" pleaded the bearlings.

"It's Jane Marie's party.  Whatever she says is fine with me," replied Martha Bear® as she watched Art, her boy bearling, bring Jane Marie a full roll of toilet tissue to dry her eyes.  He knew, as did everyone else, Jane Marie was a weeper from way back.

"It will be okay," Art told the author. "I'll show everyone how to swim."

"Me, too!" cried Button.

"That's a fine idea, children.  Let's go down to the wave pool and cool our toes.  The night is so pretty and warm; the moon will light our way.  Come on!"

And so the happy gathering moved the celebration east to the Atlantic Ocean where the Man in the Moon and the constellation Ursine Major, Big Bear, watched attentively, pleased the party had come outdoors so they, too, could enjoy the camaraderie of those dear ones whom they'd been watching over for many years.

And one friend in particular, Jane Marie, raised her face to the sky and blew a kiss heavenward, thankful that she was so very blessed.  

Our Bear Stories

↑
What's this?

Why not wear something special to your next party?
  handmade crystal & gemstone jewelry

click on the photo to enlarge
Anna Ivanova N103

Who was Anna?

 

click on the photo of Teddy O™ in his version of a naval captain's hat to enlarge