As always when the cousins are in residence, the Red House was a-bustle last night.  Food preparations in the kitchen involved several of the women; Grandpa Jim and Silas (age 5) and Gin (age 4) were rehearsing the pre-dinner entertainment in the dining room; Anna (great with child) and her sister-in-law Robin carved apples to be used as candle holders “for the holiday table;” and the rest of us visited and enjoyed periodic reports on progress from all fronts.

At various intervals I snuck a peak in the dining room to see how the proposed puppet show was coming along.  The stage – made from the box from a new toilet seat I think Jim (the Stage Manager) said – involved a forest scene complete with bonfire and a ramp for the red vehicle which had something to do with transporting the Po-Pos.  The Po-Pos (of course!) were hippopotamus sock puppets belonging to Creative Director and Main Puppeteer, Gin.  The truck was the property of Artistic Director, Silas.

Finally, all was in readiness!  The show began with introductions of the personnel by the Stage Manager and some shy bowing.  Gin disappeared under the puppet stage and the Po-Pos made their entrance.  Si stood to the side and laughed in appreciation of his sister’s clever dialogue, much of which was in a foreign tongue that only the two of them understood.  At each lull in the action, the Stage Manager suggested that it was time for the truck, but the Artistic Directior kept insisting “Not Yet!”

Eventually, the truck made its entrance, the Po-Pos were carted away, and the show ended with clapping and cheering by all of us.  “A little weak on plot,” was Grandma Beeg’s critique.  “Well, it was their first puppet show,” explained Mom Abby.  The rest of us were still clapping and cheering.