Welcome To Gloccmorro
One of Zed's and wife Anne's favorite places on earth was their summer lake cabin on Lake Freeman in Monticello, Indiana.
When they bought it in the early 1950's it was just an unfinished shell on just over an acre of wooded, swampy land. The property was at the very end of the "Snow Ditch" canal - as far as you could go by boat. Perfect, quiet waters to fish, wade and swim.
The surroundings were ideal for weekend and vacation get-a-ways for all of the family and friends they would host over the years.
Zed, being who he was, came up with a hand-written "invite" to send those who wanted to visit, complete with map, list of essentials to pack and of COURSE a poem!
They lovingly named their lake retreat "Gloccomorro", after close friends and family would ask "How are things in Glocca Morra?" - comparing their lake retreat to the fictional place in the song of the same name. I am sure though, Zed being the kind of guy who would be respectful of copywrite law, changed the spelling to something more appropriate!
Interesting, though I remember hearing him say the name came from the song, I had not heard it. Here it is if you'd like to take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFjd55po0dw
How Are Things in Glocca Morra
Author: words by E.Y. Harburg; music by Burton Lane
- From the movie "Finian's Rainbow"
I hear a bird, Londonderry bird,
It well may be he's bringing me a cheering word.
I hear a breeze, a River Shanon breeze,
It well may be it's followed me across the seas.
Then tell me please:
How are things in Glocca Morra?
Is that little brook still leaping there?
Does it still run down to Donny cove?
Through Killybegs, Kilkerry and Kildare?
How are things in Glocca Mora?
Is that willow tree still weeping there?
Does that lassie with the twinklin' eye
Come smilin' by and does she walk away,
Sad and dreamy there not to see me there?
So I ask each weepin' willow and each brook along the way,
And each lass that comes a-sighin" Too ra lay
How are things in Glocca Morra this fine day?
Gloccamora - Our Little Corner of the World
As promised, there is a poem about "Gloccamora"!
In this little corner of the world
that we call Gloccamora
where the sun shines today
and we know it will shine tomorrow.
but clouds to come 'you say'?
and wipe the sunshine away
like at the theatre, with curtain descended
doesn't mean the show has ended
to us it means the curtains are about to part
and this wonderful show is about to start
there is always an ingress and egress you know
otherwise there wouldn't be much of a show
you come on stage and say your say
then - you just fade away
drink in the beauty of life
and try to put aside all the strife
it's ok to just be you
if that is really what you want to do
and if you do not hurt anyone on your quest
at least try to reach a modicum of success!
Tap roots are important to spring forth from
and that's the part Gloccamora has done
Helped Nana and I shrug off struggle and strife
and go back next week to the rest of our life
Yes, to us Gloccamora has been good
and helped keep us happy - as it should
now time for us to move on, the key for you to hold
to bring you happiness, forever to behold
Love to you all! Nana & Boppy
