Christ Church High Table

All Dressed Up….and Somewhere to Go

Entrance from Quad and Christ Church Cathedral

How exciting to attend High Table after the first day of class! The small select group for Monday night gathered with some of our tutors and staff at a sherry reception prior to dinner. Fascinating students included an Amsterdam couple who have participated eight years. A Texas grandmother brought her 16-year-old granddaughter to Exeter College for two weeks of pre-law while she took two courses at Christ Church. As the rest of the people entered the Great Hall, they followed tradition and stood until the High Table guests sat at their nameplate.

After we were seated, the director of studies David Beard who started The Oxford Experience twenty-seven years ago delivered the grace in Latin. Here is translation: “In the neediness of our human condition, which invites your compassion, almighty God and heavenly Father, we give you reverent thanks for the food which, in your kindness, you have lavished on us for the sustenance of our bodies; and we also beg that we may use it without greed or excess and with enjoyment. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

High Table is just what the words imply. The table sits on a platform or dais above the main floor. It is at the top of the Great Hall furthest from the screen passage. During the Middle Ages, the lord of the castle could indeed “look down” on his household. His servants or subjects had designated seating in vertical rows of perpendicular tables according to status. Nobility and high ranking guests sat at High Table. They were served first and had the best quality food and drink. In 2017 at Christ Church, everyone in the hall enjoyed the same delectable food with turkey saltimbocca as the main course. Harry Potter or the Hogwarts teachers were not there! However, the Harry Potter films built a replica of the Great Hall in their London studio.

High Table on Dais at Christ Church

Many members of Christ Church were there in spirit. Ninety-two portraits grace the four walls of the Great Hall. Henry VIII oversees all as he is positioned on the High Table end of room in the middle. He founded Christ Church in 1546 as a dual foundation of college and cathedral. Cardinal Wolsey established Cardinal College in 1525 and his foundation is the original of Christ Church. His portrait is hung to the right of Henry VIII. Queen Elizabeth who united Christ Church and Westminster in 1561 is to the left of Henry VIII. The bust of the Queen Elizabeth II is below Henry VIII. I sat facing these formidable characters and felt their presence.

Other famous scholars of the college include Thomas Locke philosopher, John Wesley theologian, William Gladstone statesman and Lewis Carroll writer. Thirteen prime ministers studied at Christ Church.

William Murray, over door, Student 1723, First Earl of Mansfield

For me, the evening was steeped in great history, tradition, friendship and conversation. As shadows flirted with the exquisite stained glass windows, the ambiance of the Great Hall changed. A new reflection here, a new reflection there! That is what education is all about. Members of Christ Church have sat at High Table in centuries past conversing and debating the challenging issues of the era. I know 2017 is no different. Later in the year a second female portrait will keep company with Queen Elizabeth in the Great Hall that being Professor Pallot who joined the college in 1979.

Evening End Revelation

As I left High Table and meandered through the hall prolonging the magical evening, I followed a row of portraits. In my mind’s eye one caused me to pause. I saw the sixteen-year-old pre-law student all grown up, and she was gazing at me with a faint smile. I returned her smile, but I was beaming!

Blessings!
Linda

 

My Lineal Descent to American Revolutionary War Patriot

Today’s  4th of July post is dedicated to Nathaniel Thurber, my great-great-great-great grandfather. In 1998, I learned that I was a descendant of a patriot who served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War and helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. Nathaniel Thurber, son of Daniel Thurber, Sr., and Lois Peck Thurber, was born on April 13, 1761, in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Thurber family history dates back to the 1600s  to a small parish called Stanton, County of Lincolnshire in England, 129 miles from London. As Thurber families left England, they settled in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Nathaniel enlisted in 1776 and served as a private in the Revolutionary War until 1779 in Massachusetts as well as at the Burning of Bristol, Rhode Island. He married Polly Shores in 1792. They had six children including son James who served in the War of 1812.

DAR Headquarters, Washington, DC

With my interest in historical preservation, patriotism and education, the Daughters of the American Revolution was a perfect fit for me. So I embarked on an extended journey to prove lineal descent through such documents as birth, death and marriage certificates, church records, census reports and obituaries.

My Lineal Descent

Nathaniel Thurber, my patriot and great-great-great-great grandfather, 1761-1842
James Thurber, my great-great-great grandfather, 1791-1877
William Thurber, my great-great grandfather, 1827-1866
Laura Thurber Roasa, my great-grandmother, 1865-1944
Gladys Roasa Barr, my grandmother. 1891-1964
Rosemary Barr Mohr, my mother, 1918-2009
Linda Mohr (Me), 1950

My Application is Approved

A longtime dream of mine came true as I was officially welcomed into the National Society  Daughters of the American Revolution at the Seminole Chapter meeting in West Palm Beach on October 11, 2008.

The DAR insignia pin is a beautiful gold wheel. I wear it over my heart with tremendous pride for what those who have gone before me have done. I love the meaning behind each part:

THE HUB: Each loyal Daughter’s heart
EACH SPOKE: A thought of those from whom we part
THE TIE: A noble life well rounded out
EACH STAR: A deed of kindness as we go about
EACH FLAXEN THREAD: A cord of love to bind us closer day by day
THE DISTAFF: A rod of love to guide us all the way

10-Year Membership Honor

I celebrated my 10-year membership in 2018 and proudly added this pin to my DAR ribbon of pins.

My contribution to DAR Seminole includes:

Chapter Chairmanships:  Women’s Issues 2010-2012 & 2012-2014, Bylaws 2014-2016, DAR School 2018-2020

Chapter Service:  Librarian 2012-2014, Vice Regent 2014-2016, Librarian Appointed 2017-18, Chapter Director 2018-2020

Other:  Meeting Reservations 2009-2010, Benefit Registration 2013-2019, Women’s Issues Essay Contest State Winner in Career Category–Encore, 2014, Doing Life with Parkinson’s 2015, Wrote and Read Tea Time with Grandma Poem for Seminole Tea 2018, DAR School Project Second Place State Winner 2018, 10-Year Member 2018

President General Van Buren’s Call to Challenge: Think Big

On June 30, 2019, Denise Doring VanBuren was installed as President General at the National Society  Daughters of the American Revolution’s Continental Congress. In her Rise and Shine for America themed speech, she challenged Daughters to dream big dreams, think big, achieve great things, don’t settle for mediocrity, and look for meaningful service opportunities. We can’t shuffle along satisfied with the status quo if we are to achieve our Society’s full potential she emphasized.

As I considered  President General VanBuren’s message, I am blessed to live in America where I have the freedom to contribute in a manner that reflects who I am. I will always be grateful to my great-great-great-great grandfather Nathaniel Thurber who played a part in securing my freedom.

For more information about DAR contact me or visit DAR website, 

Blessings!
Linda

 

The Oxford Experience Begins

Christ Church Campus

As the Chinese proverb goes, a journey of a thousand steps starts with a single step. Sometimes, a journey starts at the train station as my trip to Oxford did. London Paddington was a bustling station and Sundays were no exception. Travelers stood in mass staring up at time table boards that eventually indicated a platform number from one to fourteen. An inbound train might only be in the station minutes before departure. So a stampede followed the instant the platform was known. I dashed off to platform 1 and a kind man offered to lift my suitcase onto train. Oh, the perks of being a senior! Or maybe he recognized my Parkinson’s masked face!

Tom Gate Christ Church

I like to ride trains and have done so on other trips using a BritRail pass. It is an easy and efficient way to travel. Sixty-three minutes later I arrived in Oxford and taxied to Christ Church, one of thirty-eight constituent colleges in the University of Oxford system. I was about to embark on The Oxford Experience where I would be a student for six days. The impressive point of entry is known as Tom Gate. After being greeted and given a welcome packet, a scout (member of domestic staff) escorted me to the Meadows building. My private suite was on first floor which is second floor by American standards. The view looked out over a meadow, and I thought I was in the country. The exquisite blue sky was a beautiful backdrop for my photo shoot of architecture.

Later in the day following a short orientation meeting and wine reception, we had our first meal in the Great Hall of Christ Church. As I entered the hall, I was mesmerized. I commented later to a dinner companion, that if The Oxford Experience had ended at that moment, it would have been worth it. I am still at loss for the right words to describe my feelings. Being in a room where Henry the VIII and countless other historic figures have dined, was a pinch me I’m not dreaming moment!

Great Hall Christ Church Founded 1546

A little background on great halls….They can be found in palaces, castles and large manor homes in the Middle Ages and in country homes in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Colleges at Durham, Cambridge, St. Andrews and Oxford also have great halls for dining. In the Middle Ages, the hall was a living space where the household of family and servants ate and slept together. The hall was typically a long rectangle room, roofed in timber and entered at a screen end with a high table at opposite end.

Great Hall Christ Church

After dinner, we were escorted to our classroom by our tutor Nick Doggett (which is what the professor is called) for a short get acquainted meeting. The aerial photo at top of this post gives you an idea of the massive space Christ Church covers. We were hopeful we would find our way the next morning for the official start of class. The eclectic class of twelve students included three married couples from California. The rest of us gals represented New York, Ohio, Florida, California again, Germany and New Zealand. Many of us have had (or still have) education careers. Two are architects, and I suspect they will add an interesting perspective to the Country Homes course. Class dismissed!

Blessings!
Linda

 

My Traveling Companion, Parkinson’s

The Chesterfield Mayfair

As my British Airways flight touched down at 6:30 a.m. at London Heathrow, I said to anyone awake, “I’m home.” I have always experienced this feeling in my favorite city in the world. As the taxi cab driver made his way to The Chesterfield Mayfair with me delighting over all the familiar sights and sounds, my happy soul acknowledged again, “I am really home!”

My Serenity Retreat

In a few days I will head to Oxford for the primary focus of this 2017 jaunt. But I simply could not bypass the opportunity to return to London for the eleventh blessed time.  I go where I want to go and do what I want to do (most of the time). But Parkinson’s is always with me. So my travel philosophy is keep it light, keep it simple and keep it handy. I will stay at The Chesterfield Mayfair for several reasons. It’s located in one of most beautiful areas, is within walking distance of Gray’s Antiques and is authentic British. I also have a history with The Chesterfield Palm Beach as that is where I held my book signing party in 2007 for Tatianna-Tales and Teachings of My Feline Friend.

I luckily arrived without jet lag and spent Friday morning having a wonderful English breakfast in the hotel, exploring the area on foot and getting access to my room around noon. My little cozy bedroom was a joy. Later I headed to Gray’s Antiques where multiple dealers have their wares. I’ve joked that my car automatically stops for garage sales, thrift stores and antique shops in the states. When I am in London, the vintage markets call to me and off I go on foot.

Buttons and Brooches

I found some sweet little Scottie dog buttons for one of my eBay customers, and I added a brooch to my personal collection. Love brooches with faces! I’ve always appreciated how the “hustle and bustle” in London is offset by peaceful parks and wide open spaces like my favorite St. James Park. This trip I sat in a park at Berkeley Square a few minutes from the  hotel. According to Anna Quindlen, “London opens to you like a novel itself…. It is divided into chapters, the chapters into scenes, the scenes into sentences; it opens to you like a series of rooms, door, passsage, door. Mayfair to Piccadilly to Soho to the Strand.”

I would not be in London and not go to Portobello Market on Saturday. It is billed as the largest street market in the world. My feet agree! The eclectic one mile market includes antiques, vintage stuff, collectibles, food, clothing, flea market items and more. As my cabbie dropped me off at 9 a.m., my heart is racing and I can’t wait to begin the hunt. What will I find today?

Treasure Hunting Begins At Notting Hill

I walked miles and ate at a little Italian café where one cook prepared all the food just a few feet from patrons. So entertaining! I bought lots of buttons for resale from a lovely British couple. They have had a button booth for 21 years at Portobello. They take a bus and train every Saturday morning for an hour to get to their shop. They have attended National Button Conventions in America—yes, there are such meetings!

We spent more time talking about Parkinson’s than buttons. He had seen me pass by the booth earlier as I was checking out the area and thought I had PD just like his wife. Of course, he was right. Although many people are surprised to find out I have Parkinson’s, some see clues. Perhaps it is the way I hold my arm or walk slower or have a stern look.

Little Art Pictures

I arrived back at The Chesterfield after an exhilarating market day, welcomed an impressive room service dinner, repacked my suitcase cubes and prepared for my next adventure.

Blessings!
Linda