September - I am back

 My two weeks in DE and PA were filled with friends and family.     I've known Debbie since  sixth grade.  Here we are at Glencairn Museum

Yea for my sister Lori.  She put  up with me for a  week.  Had lots of fun.  Here's a lovely trek to Longwood Gardens

Old high school friends  unite on Janet's patio.    It's Cindie,  Janet,  and me - lots of laughs

And me, Mary Ellen, and Joan at the Michener Art Museum.    Smiles here,  but we were quiet in the museum.  Did  not want to get kicked out.

More fun travel posts  to follow.  There's so much to see and do in the  area.  

Finally Friday Assortment

Winter solstice Friday. Let's reflect on  friends, family, and tidings of comfort and joy

In November, I caught up with my PA gang - Helen, Trish, Joan, and  Mary Ellen.  Lisa lives in NC and was not in town.  I am SO lucky to have these gals in my life since junior high,  high school,  and college. Dang!

Newest Faries - Levi.  He was born on  November 6th. Didn't seem too excited  about Thanksgiving turkey. My guess is he'll snooze  through  Christmas too. Enjoy the winter naps baby boy. 

Here's what I do  when up in PA  in the fall. My sister suggested we try to attack the leaves and crap under the rhododendron. I am still able to wield a rake efficiently. 

Let's  remember dear ones.   My Aunt Janice and Uncle Bill,  Uncle  Rick, my  mother, grandparents, Ray's grandparents.   My friend, Kearny, passed away back  in the spring  from pancreatic  cancer. 

It's a tough time of year for many. 

Still  kicking at 92, here's  my dad with  his Christmas haul.  Goodies from his lunch  ladies - former  work friends. They  spoil  him and know  he has a sweet tooth.  I am very fortunate that  he's around and  I try to go  visit several times a year. He's like a tiny elf now. 

Enjoy this Christmas  weekend.   Cheers and memories galore. 

 

Monday Moments - Bishop Estates

Gorgeous Saturday after Thanksgiving, we visited Bishop Estates Winery - a one hundred year old converted barn property

Joan, Jim, and Helen sipped wine around the fire pit. Live music played. Food trucks had long lines. Very festive atmosphere and tasty wine

Fun decorations

Dramatic silo picture

 You get the idea. I had a grand time - an afternoon of laughs, chat,  and camaraderie with old friends. 

Finally Friday - friends!

Last Saturday 12/12/20 Some social distance good cheer with long time friends Linda, Julie, and Tom (see below)

These pics were taken after a splendid afternoon on Linda's patio - sunny, high 50s, and no wind. Perfect for our annual gathering to celebrate Christmas and friendship.  Tom, the house elf, fetched food from Chili's. 

We were inside only to gather up stuff to leave and snap a few memory photos. 

They are way too happy - both retired this year and now eagerly await the pandemic end so they can hit the road.  Adventures await

Now today, I will be celebrating Joan's birthday (right) with my PA gang via Zoom.   Mary Ellen caught up with her a few weeks ago. 

Nov 2019 seems so long ago. Here's Lisa, Me, Joan, and Helen enjoying book club and an old fashioned indoor afternoon. 

But we've managed to hang out long distance. Friday's are Fun - I plan to have cake in Joan's honor (but I won't eat it in front of her on camera - ha)

Have a good weekend everyone and catch up with a friend for a laugh. 

 

Wednesday Wisdom - Friends

When we’re together the energy and adoration are striking. But underneath that, there’s a subtler sense that we’re intertwined, knit together. My friends inspire me to pull myself together, to shake off whatever might be trying to rattle me that day, or to own what I’ve done well. Just being around them is often all the propping that I need.

This quote is from Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer   page 179 and it applies to my long time friends back in PA.  I've know some since junior high, others high school, and three from college days.

This is wisdom. Friends are the rock. 

Wordless Wednesday

When I was back East to visit my father, I was fortunate to have a weekend with good friends at Spring Lake, NJ.   Helen has a lovely shore home that's on a pond, and also not far from the beach. We enjoyed fabulous weather, fresh salt air, toes in the sand, and plenty of laughs.

plus the bonus of the eclipse

Good times.  Happy September now...will fall crispness arrive soon?

Monday Moment

Two Sundays ago I was in PA and I got to join my friends for brunch and book club.
From left to right - Trish, Me, Mary Ellen, Lisa, Terri, Joan, and Helen. What a crew

This is a moment and the whole afternoon was filled with moments - laughter, chatter, concern, and our lives.

I've known Joan and Helen since junior high, Terri and Trish since high school, and Mary Ellen and Lisa since college.  No matter what, when I come back to PA we just start the conversation where we left off.  So much history...

I am beyond fortunate to know these wonderful women.

I hope you have have friends with those kinds of moments.  That is priceless and golden

Have a good week!

Long Time Friendship

All Sides of  Life 

by Joanne Faries

 

white haired and stooped

silver haired and slowing

two men breakfasted every Thursday

corn beef hash and wheat toast

pancakes and bacon

one coffee, one orange juice 

smiles on the side 

regular place, regular booth, regular chat

neighbors

originals to the neighborhood

catty-corner back lawn

past the one with the added hedge

no fences

history on their side 

kids, church, couples bridge

dinners, New Year’s, and Halloween

until the women passed

one sudden heart attack

one lingering cancer

widowers now retired 

no one by their side 

breakfast tradition began

only missed by vacation

an illness, snowstorm or two

years rolled by, friendship grew

common ground trod

eggs or French toast variation 

biscuits on the side 

one met a lady friend

moved to senior home

the other stayed with his roots

Thursday breakfast remained

tradition upheld

until the call came 

farewell from bedside 

my dad’s good buddy

gone now, sad to say

fifty-five years of friendship

hard to fathom these days

no more breakfast tickets

hearty laughs or retread tales 

stay at home on Thursdays now 

stay inside

 

 

 

(Dedicated to Mr. Thompson - he shall be missed - and to my Dad)