Memoirs

Wes and I went to Mass at nearby St. Patrick’s church and when we got home he and Deb handed me a Mother’s Day card.  Lovely card but most amazing of all was that inside was the agenda for a writer’s summit!  It was a Storyteller’s Summit that the College of Communication and Journalism of the University of Florida had prepared.   There were well known authors, and editors and agents from Florida, Georgia and NYC!   I had a hard time processing the information that Wes and I would being going to spend two days together at a conference for writers!!   I could only stammer my thanks. (more…)

Feel good about the fact that I have made arrangements for what needs to happen at home while I am spending a month with Wes and Deb.   Was rainy weekend and I fretted the plane would have to take off in a storm.  Not to worry; beautiful day with blue skies and lovely puffy white clouds.  Matt arrived in plenty of time.  Yvonne had purchased tickets on line, printed my boarding passes and paid for luggage.   Still, I was just a bit nervous and chatted to Matt the whole time.    Touched down in Charlotte, N.C. and spent a couple of hours touring the airport and getting a bowl of soup before boarding a plane for Gainesville.  Arrived at six to find Wes waiting for me; again a happy drive.   A warm welcome by Deb really was the frosting on the cake.  Out to dinner at the Jones (restaurant) and had a relaxed evening.  So glad that Deb chose to take vacation now as we three can enjoy our time to the max. (more…)

After a wonderful month with loved ones in Gainesville, Florida the time came to return to Ohio.  I had left the cold of Ohio to reach the warmth of spring in Florida.  Upon my return, spring was in full bloom in Ohio so I had the pleasure of two springs this year.  I hated to leave, but knew loved ones were waiting for me here as well, and new adventures to discover awaited me.  Wes had taught me a lot about blogging so now I can keep my blog up to date.

Wes and Deb and I had a wonderful breakfast together my last day with them and I savored the time we had together.  Deb had to leave for work, but Wes and I had another cup of tea and he had to leave at nine for a meeting at school.  Thus, Claire took off from work to drive me to the airport in her Jeep.

Claire and her trusty Jeep

It was a smooth and fun ride and I loved being with her.  When I said I hated to leave, Claire said, “Well, Grandma, this Jeep can turn around any time you want”.  How tempting!  She stayed with me to Security and then with a kiss and a hug left me to continue my adventure. Continue here to read all about my exciting adventures...

It is hard to believe that almost a month has gone by since I arrived in Gainesville!  Tomorrow I fly home!  Each day has had something special even when we did not go anywhere but enjoyed being together and feeling surrounded by love.

Last night, we went to a restaurant called 706 in Gainesville and had a super dinner.  It was Jazz Night and we enjoyed the music while we ate.    Wonderful to be with Wes and Deb – they made a toast to my visit and I made one to them.   Deb chose a truly wonderful wine; I had great salmon dinner.   It was a lovely way to wind down.

Wes started the morning with a meeting.  He and Deb left before I got up but he left a note that he would be back before lunch or call.  Last night as Leila and I had a chance to chat, she mentioned that she would be very happy if I were to have lunch with her at school.  Parents can join their children for lunch any day; just have to check in and wear a visitor badge.   When I called Wes to tell him about the lunch, he said he would come right away; I had to make sandwiches, pack corn chips and tiny raw carrots and put iced tea in carrying cups for us and as soon as he arrived we left.   We arrived just as Leila’s class walked to the lunch area and Leila walked with Wes and me. Malik eats earlier so no way we could join him but his dad did.  Malik passed us on his way back to class and flashed a big smile and I yelled hello to him.   The children are allowed two guests when parents visit so Leila chose to girls  and they giggled and talked as we ate.  I took my camera and got pictures of the three of them.

Leila having lunch with friends

(more…)

A wonderful, wonderful visit is drawing to a close and when I fly home on Wednesday, I will be taking a lot of beautiful memories with me.   I have long looked forward to being with Wes and Deb, and spending time with Claire, Malik, Leila and Shaheed.  Ever since I began spending about a month per visit with them, the experiences have varied.   Basically, though, it is a mix of relaxation and activity.

It would fill a book to recap everything, but the highlight of this vacation was a weekend trip to Savannah, Georgia.  We stayed in a darling bed and breakfast near one of the 22 historical squares which are named but all have trees, walks, shrubs, etc.  Some also have monuments as well.

Savannah Bed and Breakfast Inn

We packed the short time with a lot of different activities, which included a lot of walking  but also a lot of driving to places like the Boneventure Cemetery where Johnny Mercer is buried.   Mass on Sunday at The Cathedral of  St. John the Baptist in Savannah was breathtakingly beautiful and that was followed by a river boat ride (to celebrate Wes and Deb’s seventh wedding anniversary – I was here then as well – on Monday).  The ride included a lovely brunch highlighted with Georgia peach cobbler.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Thanks to Wes, my blog has been redesigned and he is teaching me how to work with it, so I expect to do a much better job of blogging from now on.

After five wonderful, wonderful weeks with Wes and Deb when I had special moments with Claire, Shaheed, Malik and Leila, went to a variety of churches for Mass with friend John or Shaheed, was a guest at a wedding  — in fact had a wonderful time –  I left Florida in May.  Wes and Deb took me to the train station in Palatka, Florida on a sunny afternoon and 34 hours later, my dear son, Matt, met me in the frigid early morning hours at the Cleveland train station.
After a couple of days of “train lag” I threw myself back into my busy schedule which has only accelerated.  That is why this blog has been neglected.   In May, when I returned to weekly meetings of my book club, Holy Ground, I told everyone about my web site and blog.   After a summer of less meetings, I returned in September, and a friend, Louise Cox, told me that she had visited my blog and said, “You are still in Florida.  Better get busy writing.”  So here I am.
May was busy and it was good to have spent a month of spring in Florida and now enjoy a month of northern spring.  Days flew by and soon it was Memorial Day.  It was fun to celebrate with a cookout with Matt and Tina, Mary and Cheryl and Angie.  We started around two and Mary and Cheryl left around eight while Matt, Tina and Angie stayed even later.  The next day, I met my friend, Shirley for lunch.   Wednesday was my first day back at work.  I started that day by singing with the Holy Angels choir at a funeral at church; got a haircut, went to work and from there went to choir practice.  Thursday returned to playing SKAT with Brown Baggers in the morning and going to my Aunt Al’s wake from 2-4.
June stated with my Aunt Al’s funeral.  We were always close as she was fourteen years old when I was born.  However, I had to miss the funeral as I was on a Greyhound bus headed for Lansing, Michigan for the baptism of my dear little great grandson, Jaydin.  Dear grandson, Jason, met me at the bus depot in Lansing.   It was an extremely hot day and the first bus had no air conditioning so after we boarded almost an hour late, the bus returned to Cleveland before setting out again.  I had to change busses in Toledo and Detroit and it was about an eight-hour trip but interesting.  Jay took me to an Eastern restaurant to try some of their favorite food, and we were surprised to have a couple of belly dancers entertain us!   Soon after we got home, Kristin and Jaydin arrived and I got to hold my youngest great grandchild.  What a treasure!  Tiny little fingers and darling expressions on his face.  So good to be with this little family.  While there I was able to attend a bridal shower for Shawna, Kristin’s sister and be a part of the baptismal celebration on Sunday.  Kristin and Jason lovingly shared Jaydin and I got to hold him a lot.  The three of them took me to the bus depot at 10:30 on Monday and I was on my way home.  On Tuesday, attended an ARRP meeting, back to work on Wednesday.  Another highlight of the month was being a part of the Holy Angels choir and going to Cleveland to sing the National Anthem before an Indians’ baseball game.  On Saturday drove to Berea to visit with Lynn Miralia and meet her family.  That was fun.  On Sunday, I was the commentator at Mass for the first time and that was good.  Tuesday is Holy Ground and we had a summer meeting from noon till 2:30. not finding anything The end of June, went to a meeting for Tetelestai, and on Saturday went to a graduation party for the young man next door.  Fran and Tom Keesey moved in before they had any children and Emily was born soon after; Jimmy couple years later, so I have known these young people all of their lives.
July went along pretty much the same with AARP, work at Kumon on Mondays and Wednesdays, Brown Baggers on Thursdays, and a wonderful visit from Yvonne from New York on Friday the 6th until she left on Sunday. Another treat was to visit my cousin Aud, who is like a sister to me, on second Tuesday in July, attend Mass at the Mount and have lunch with the nuns and then sleep over and stay until I had to go directly to work at Kumon in Solon.  On Thursday, Mary and I looked at monuments at Solon Granite as Wes has been dead twelve years and does not have a headstone.  Found a very unusual stone, which I love and arranged to have the information carved on it.  That Friday, Claire and the kids arrived for a visit!  Shaheed had been visiting his family and on Sunday Claire and the kids went there for a going away party for Shaheed’s brother who will take his family to Saudi Arabia and teach for two years.  I had to leave before they did to go to a graduation party for my sister Laurie’s grandson, Ryan.  Went with Mary and Cheryl and had a wonderful time with all of the family and friends.   The following Saturday, Shaheed and kids went to a wedding reception and got here around one in the morning.  On Sunday I had to be the commentator at noon Mass and they went with me.  I was so proud of them.  Shaheed and Malik wore suits, white shirts and lavender ties.  Leila had a lovely dress with orchid flowers on it.  Though not planned, my blouse and slacks also matched her dress.  They stayed overnight and on Monday we all went to Amish country and got few blueberries (kids love to pick them but not many this year due to a late frost and drought), vegetables, cheese and eggs.  They went back to visit Shaheed’s family but were here on Thursday to say goodbye before returning to Florida.  July 28 was special as many of us were guests at Laurie’s granddaughter, Cheryl’s wedding.  It was a lovely ceremony and several of us went back to Laurie’s house until the reception in the evening.   Mary, Cheryl, Judy, Bill and I stopped at the home of Laurie’s son, Ron and his wife and sons before going to the reception.  It was lovely and Bill and Judy drove us home.
So as not to make this a diary, will just say that August was just as busy as the other months.   I celebrated my 79th birthday by helping Cheryl move from her old house to a lovely new one built further back on her property.  I took some sandwiches and wine and we enjoyed a light lunch on her old deck.  The new house is so beautiful and has such a lovely view of her little lake – I just love it and am so happy for her. I commentated at eight o’clock Mass on Sunday and then Matt and Tina picked me up around eleven and took me to the Sheraton in Cuyahoga Falls for a wonderful brunch.  We got a table overlooking the canal; food is always good there and we all enjoyed it.  We laughed a lot and had a wonderful time.  They had given me a watch on a chain some time back and the chain had broken so they bought me a new one for my birthday. On the way home, Matt drove through Hudson and I got to see the new shopping mall and the two-story library.  A wonderful day.   A sad ending to August  with the death of John Schlessman whom I have known since I met Wes in 1946.  It was sudden and a shock to everyone.
By September was going full steam ahead!  Irene had gone to live with her daughter, Susan and son in law Joe and I visited her there.  Had a cookout for Labor Day on Sunday with Matt and Tina.  On the holiday itself went to the wake for John, and on the next day went to his funeral.  The chaplain from the hospital gave a wonderful eulogy.  However, a very sad day.  Bright and clear weather.   Dear daughter-in-law, Leanne had surgery on the 5th and I did talk with her.  Friends from school were in town and about a dozen of us got together for lunch at one o’clock on Monday and I went right from there to work in Solon.  Doris keeps in touch with me via e mail and tells me of their life in Las Vegas.  Always good to see her and George.  They always come for class reunions but those are getting further apart.   The choir did not practice during the summer but had a wonderful welcome back dinner on Wed. the 19th. The following Saturday went to a thank you dinner for volunteers in the National Park and rode with neighbor, Kelly Collier, who also volunteers.  Saw Ranger Beth Rush who has been so much help to me in the four years I have volunteered as an elf on the Polar Express (have signed up to do it again this year.)  On Sunday, went to a birthday party for Loretta whom I have known since grade school and who celebrated her 80th birthday.  Next day applied for a passport since it will be needed after January first for crossing the border into Canada.  No plans to do that now, but who knows?  For several years now, my five sisters and I have met for lunch every couple of months and if there are any birthdays in that span, we celebrate.  On the 28th (Friday) we met at the Glenwillow Grill and had a ball.  It was so much fun for the six of us to be together and we got to laughing at how short I have grown and it was hysterical.  Friend Sandy picked up her Polar Express tickets and met my sisters; friend, Kay Sloane was there for lunch with a friend and came over and talked.
That brings us to October and I am writing this on the last Saturday and need to go to work this morning so will write more later.

Truly this is the day the Lord has made, and I am rejoicing. I needed to purchase a bus ticket to go to Lansing on Friday, June 1 for the baptism of my great grandson, Jaydin and I could not go through Solon without stopping for Mass at the Church of the Resurrection. It is always good to see Father Mark and the friends there that I have had for many years. I miss going to morning Mass and stopping for tea with the group afterward. Bless them. I could not stop for morning Mass and not drop in and see Terry Battaglia. She was DRE of PSR for many of the sixteen years that I taught those classes to second graders at Resurrection.

After picking up my ticket at the Greyhound bus station at Southgate, I stopped at Marc’s in Solon, K Mart in Bainbridge and Heinen’s in Bainbridge content that I had enjoyed being with friends at the start of the day and accomplished so much afterward.

It has been a beautiful day, though a tad hot. As I write this it has clouded up and there is thunder in the distance. This is the start of Blossom Time and they often have rain! My friend and neighbor, Marilyn Collier has invited me to ride with her as she watches the balloons land at the high school. The sight of many colorful huge balloons coming to Chagrin is wonderful.

This year, I am enjoying two springtimes. First was in Florida with Deb and Wes and I enjoyed the beautiful flowers and birds in their garden. I especially love the Confederate Jasmine. When I returned home, the barren landscape had changed to one of green beauty. Flowers are blooming here as well.

It was hard to say goodbye, but Wes and Deb took me to the station around 6 on Tuesday evening. The train was about forty minutes late so we had an opportunity to spend a bit more time together.

The trip from Palatka, Fl. to Washington, DC. was very enjoyable as I sat beside a young man from the U.K. and we talked much of the time. He was very interesting. We did arrive in DC about two hours late and then the redcap managed to put one of my bags on the wrong train! I had to leave without it, but did receive it after I got home as the RR sent it by Fed Ex. The train from DC had an observation car and I sat up there and enjoyed the view for hours. Met another young man and we chatted part of the time.

We arrived in Cleveland at 5 AM on Thursday morning and I was delighted to see my dear son, Matt, waiting for me at the station. I enjoyed being with him again. He had to work that day and the next so this was really generous on his part to be up so much of the night just so I could be brought safely home. While I was away, Tina e mailed me often and it was so good to be in touch with her.

Needless to say that I was a zombie all day Thursday and part of Friday. I had a column due on Friday so I worked on it that day and finished it on Saturday. E mailed to the editor.

On Saturday, my sister, Cheryl gave me a tour of the house she is having built. It is large and beautiful and has a wonderful view of her lake. I know she will be very happy there.

Was good to be back at 10 AM Mass on Sunday and happy people missed me. It was Donut Sunday so Cheryl, Gerry and I had tea and donuts after Mass. Went to a wake for the husband of a dear friend of mine. Merce and I went to a workshop for religious educators several years ago at Kent College and we have been good friends every since. Her daughter, JoEllen, teaches Art at Newbury High School and I worked in the public library which is in that building. So I got to know JoEllen. Hope to keep in touch with both of them. Fromn Solon, went to North Royalton to visit with my sister Laurie and her husband, Ron and enjoyed being with them for couple hours. From there to Broadview Heights to visit my cousin, Audrey, who is like a sister to me. We went out for a bite to eat, but also laughed and chatted at her house till around 9; I got home at 10 PM. Hope to see her more often this summer.

On Monday, went to the funeral and visited with so many wonderful friends from Resurrection. Sad occasion but so glad I could see so many wonderful people I do not see as often since I joined Holy Angels. Several of the women belong to Holy Ground, a book club at Karen’s house in Hudson and I have such wonderful memories of our times together there. Women I worked with when I taught PSR for 16 years, came up and talked. So nice! By the time the reception was over, it was too late to come home before going to work so just shopped a bit in Solon and went to Kumon. So happy that people there greeted me so warmly and the boss said she is glad I am back. My cousin, Nancy, pinch hit for me and she did a great job. I enjoy working with the kids so very much. Will work tomorrow and then have Monday off for Memorial Day.

This morning had some things to do before going to Karen’s house for a special luncheon to celebrate the birthdays of four of the women who are now 60. Karen is a great hostess; the women are a delight to be with; food is always so plentiful and so delicious. I had a wonderful time being with the dozen or so women who were there.

God is good. All the time.

This is a bittersweet day — sweet because of all of the memories I am taking home with me; bitter because it is so hard to say goodbye. It is cooler today but getting warmer. Repairmen finally came to fix the air conditioning unit and are in the attic now. When I awoke, Deb and Wes had had their breakfast, she left for work and he was relaxing before starting his day. So, I took my camera and took a walk all around the back yard and the lot behind it. I listened to the waterfall and the singing of the birds. I took a picture of a little blue flower. I sat by the waterfall and pond and thought of what a wonderful five weeks these have been. I have gathered a lot of little things like place mats, menus, cards, to put in my journal. Wes gave me the beautiful butterfly bookmark to remind me of the butterfly museum. Shaheed will bring the children after school to say goodbye. I feel like crying when I think of leaving. Claire tells me that when she told Leila I am leaving, Leila crawled under the couch. Claire asked her if she thought that would keep me here looking for her. Deb expects to be home early which is around four and we should leave soon after as the ride to Palatka takes about an hour and Amtrak recommends getting to the station an hour early. I have checked the status and my train, which I think is coming from Miami, is 7 minutes late so will probably be pretty close to the 6:30 estimated time of departure. This is truly an adventure!

This is the beginning of an exciting adventure in cyberspace. After five wonderful weeks with son, Wes and daughter in love, Deb I am returning to Ohio. But, first, Wes got me my first dot com. In mid April, I took the longest train ride of my life when I left Cleveland, Ohio and headed to Washington, D.C. on Amtrak. Found a guardian angel on the train – a woman who had made several trips from Cleveland to Palatka, Florida in the last three years. She showed me the ropes at Union Station in Washington, and the five hour layover was pleasant. We will keep in touch.

On the train to Washington, there was an observation section and I spent a lot of time up there watching the beautiful scenery including a mountain range in Pennsylvania upon which were fifteen wind generators! We also went through several tunnels.

As we left DC, the sun was setting as we crossed the Potomac River and I could see the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. The seat was very comfortable and I slept well much of the night. It was interesting to see the other passengers and to chat with some. The second train did not have the observation area but it did have a lounge and my “angel” and I were able to chat a lot. Plus, I was able to sleep. Her son was meeting her in Palatka and Wes met me there. Lovely little station.
I could fill a book with all of the wonderful experiences during my five weeks in Gainesville, but briefly, it was a wonderful mixture of solitude (which I really needed after my hectic schedule at home) and activity. This house is filled with so much love and laughter. A bonus is that I could spend time with my granddaughter, Claire, her husband, Shaheed and dear Malik who is eight and Leila who is six. Claire took me to a pork roast at her office; Shaheed took me to Mass one Sunday, often we (Wes and I) picked the children up after school and they would spend the time here until Mom finished work or we would go to the library with Shaheed where the children would do homework followed by reading. Leila loves to read pop up books to me. One day, Shaheed and I went to the school and ate with Leila and Malik on their separate lunch hours. On day, Claire and I were at a Mother’s Day program at Leila’s school. I got to see a couple of Malik’s baseball games and stop at a restaurant on the way home.

Wes, Deb and I spent an overnight at Flagler Beach on Deb’s birthday which was also Earth Day. We walked the beach, ate at restaurants overlooking the ocean, browsed through book store and shops, ate at Blue Topaz, a wonderful restaurant in the inn where we stayed. Deb and Wes had the honeymoon suite and I had an adjoining room. Both were filled with antiques and quite beautiful as well as comfortable. They had a balcony and we enjoyed relaxing there as well. On our way back, we stopped at an Earth Day celebration at a park and enjoyed walking around the various booths and were able to sit along the Matanzas River. Deb bought some lovely plants and herbs and a book. It was another wonderful day. We had walked to a restaurant along the beach for breakfast and back to the inn. We walked a lot through the park and I felt it was really good for me.

When I had been here a week, a huge fire broke out in Georgia and the newspapers have been filled with stories and pictures every since. Bold three inch headlines tell of the progress of the fire and of the effort to put it out. I was not really worried even though Wes said it is 120 miles to the Bugaboo Swamp where the fire is raging. Smaller fires broke out much nearer and the smoke got heavier; plus tiny flakes of ash landed on the cars. Family back home concerned but I have been calm. We were able to visit friends who have a second home along the Suwanne River — always wanted to see it and loved the song by Stephen Foster. Coincidence — the neighborhood where Wes and Deb live is called Stephen Foster. A wonderful experience.

Wes and Deb surprised me with a wonderful digital camera for Mother’s Day, and I was able to take pictures of the Suwannee River. We had a relaxed day visiting with their friends, and that evening a friend of Deb’s hosted a birthday party dinner for Deb and another friend — both had birthdays earlier but could not get together. Her friends are a lot of fun and the five of us had a really enjoyable evening.

Many evenings we have watched a movie either while eating dinner or with a glass or two of wine. Such a neat way to wind down before bed.

Mother’s Day was special. Wes and Deb made sure that I enjoyed it thoroughly. It began with a lovely breakfast made by Wes. He makes a special eggs in basket he calls hearts in a basket. He uses a small heart shaped cutter to cut the center out of toast; break an egg in that center and grill the whole thing. He knows I enjoy that so he fixed it and tofu sausage for breakfast. His friend, John Mark, picked me up to go to Mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Community way across town. Lovely large church, very spirited and lovely choir. He took me there when I first arrived. When we got home, Wes made tempe’ sandwiches and we took off to see the butterfly museum. Only the museum in London is larger. So many butterflies in all stages (in the lab are the eggs and the cocoons); one butterfly actually landed in my hair! Wish I had a picture of that but we did not get one. However, Wes bought me a lovely animated book mark at the gift shop, and he and I took lots of pictures of various butterflies. It was quite warm in there as it is called the butterfly rain forest. We walked through some of the rest of the museum and then to the art museum next door and walked around there. Picked up a roasted chicken on the way home and had a salad and wine with it for dinner. Had a wonderful day of calls, too. Beth called early and we had quite a talk; Chris, Matt and Yvonne called in the evening while Wes, Deb and I watched a movie and had wine. While talking with Matt checked my train ticket and was saddened to find I leave tomorrow instead of Wednesday as I thought! Each phone call was special as are each of my children. Wes and Deb have told me how much they enjoy my visit and encourage me to stay; Leila devasted to learn I am leaving so soon. Claire says I should stay longer. It is wonderful to be with all of them and lots more we could do but temperatures are in the high eighties and will go to 90 and beyond and become humid so this is a good time for me to head north.

When I had been here about a week, a friend – Nancy – invited me to lunch along with another friend of hers. Nancy is older than Wes and Deb but younger than I am. We usually get together at least once while I am here. Had a lovely lunch on her back porch and then sat in her peaceful yard to chat a bit. Deb has invited Nancy to dinner tonight and know that will be enjoyable.

I have rambled on and on. Wes said I should just write a bit to get the blog started and before I knew it had written a lot. Even then, there are so many wonderful experiences I have not included.