We packed and got ready to go to Savannah, but did stop at an Art Gallery to see work by a woman who had been a student of Wes’s at Santa Fe College.  She and a friend and their daughters displayed their work, fittingly, on Mothers’ Day.

Savannah is about three and a half hours away so we arrived around four or so.  Wes had told the owner that I needed a ground floor room (the main dining room is on the second floor of a four story bed and breakfast.).   Well, we walked up to the dining room and checked in and had a snack.  They walked me to my room which was in a new bed and breakfast the owner had bought.  Not only was I to be on the ground floor, but it was a suite!!!   A large room with a fireplace, couch, three large chairs, couple small and a coffee table.  Had a lovely bathroom and a beautiful bedroom with a huge bed – three pillows wide!!  There was a small desk in that room and books in various places in both rooms.  Wes and Deb were on the third floor in the original building.  Wes had promised to take photos to put on the Inn’s website so this was sort of a working holiday for him.  After getting settled, we walked several blocks to a restaurant that had been recommended – The Crystal Beer Parlor which had a huge variety of German beers and very good food.   We walked around a bit as Savannah has such lovely parks – we took pictures there as well.   When we returned to the Inn, we sat on the deck in the back and enjoyed chocolate chip cookies and milk before bed.  Met couple of interesting women from Nova Scotia and had an enjoyable evening. Wes and Deb walked me to my room, planning full days of adventure.

Monday May 10, 2010

They came for me around 8:15am, so that we could enjoy breakfast together and were pleased to be near the two ladies from Canada.   Afterward, Wes took pictures, Deb visited galleries and I relaxed.  For lunch, Wes and I walked quite a ways to the   Mellow  Mushroom pizza place and ate at a small table in front of it.  We then found a bookstore and I bought books by authors we would see at the Summit so that I could be familiar with their work.  I also bought a thin book by Alex Guiness whom I have always admired.

Back to the Inns to relax and then we walked several blocks to a restaurant we all like – The Firefly.   We enjoyed macaroni and cheese and glasses of wine there. Weather has been perfect and though a lot of walking not tired nor hot.

We later had fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and milk on the deck behind the Savannah Bed and Breakfast inn.  Wes and Deb walked me to my room to another night of rest.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Deb came for me so that the three of us could eat breakfast together in the gathering room of the Inn.  We always chose our breakfast the night before and they were always good.  Wes needed to take pictures of the staff and get all of his photos on a CD, so Deb and I walked several blocks to an old cemetery.  I had decided to rub some inscriptions on grave stones, but really had not planned or researched it.  I had done it long ago and forgot how I did it.  Had purchased thin paper and charcoal.  Well, I now realize that the last time I used even thinner paper – tissue paper – and not charcoal but graphite!    Well, dear Deb walked me around to find the best samples of what I wanted but the paper was thick and the stones were rough and we got charcoal all over our fingers.    She held the paper but as I was not getting a good transfer, she showed me how to use the charcoal to capture a design from one and few words from another.  She was concerned that some of the charcoal would mark the white marble!   We laughed a lot as she said if the police came she would say that some crazy old lady dragged her over to the tomb stone and made her help!    As we walked around it was very hot and at one point she asked “Do you want to rest – in peace – here?” and we both laughed.   She is so much fun to be with and such a wonderful artist in many mediums and did not mind that I dragged her to this graveyard in the heat when I was so ill prepared.   She even talked about spraying what I did transfer so I could preserve it.    Decided that will pursue this interest in graveyards in Ohio.   Sure that I can find interesting ones in Mespo and Middlefield and know of graves of gypsies in Bedford and of an Indian who had been hanged and is now in East 9^th Street cemetery in Cleveland.

For lunch, we walked to a Café near a park several blocks away.   Had sandwiches at a little table outdoors and when Wes and Deb went in to buy them, I spied a couple who had ice cold glasses of beer and I called Wes on his cell phone to ask if he would buy one for me.  It tasted soooo good!

We then walked to a thrift shop that they like and Deb bought a light blouse and Wes bought a filmy night gown and peignoir for one of his photo shoots.   As we walked through the park, he told Deb that he liked the blouse she bought and he was really pleased with his nightgown.   A girl walking by us, turned her head to see who had made that strange comment; we laughed so hard about her reaction as we had not even noticed her.

When we got back, Deb left me to pack and rest and she joined Wes so she could help him finish up.  When they put out snacks at the Inn, she brought me slices of a couple of different kinds of cake and a huge glass of iced tea.  Sweetheart.

Though we left during rush hour traffic, it soon thinned out and we had a pleasant  ride home.  Had hoped to get home before dark so Deb could water plants, we arrived around 9:30 and too dark to do that.

What a wonderful time we had!  We each did our own thing but we also did a lot of stuff together.  It was a mixture thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.

Thursday  May 6, 2010

Wes made chocolate chip pancakes for him and me and blueberry pancakes for Deb for breakfast.  With sausage patty and tea was super breakfast.

On my last visit, they introduced me to Savanna and I hoped to go there again this time.  I was delighted when they told me that we would leave for Savanna on Sunday and return late Tuesday.  What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Wes and I picked up Leila and Malik at their school and returned home.  Visited until Deb got home and then the four of us went to a restaurant called the Flying Biscuit in a nearby Mall.  Wes says it is a chain but I have not heard of it.  Nice evening so we ate at table on the sidewalk.  Very good and fun to be with Wes, Deb, Malik and Leila.  Afterward we walked to some galleries that were a part of the Art Hop.  For those a bit further away, Wes drove us.  Enjoyed the art and also meeting some of Wes and Deb’s friends.  We ended up at a soft ice cream shop and except Deb got huge cones and ate them on a bench outside.  Have not had soft ice cream in years and years!   Another different and fun thing to do.

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.

On the plane, the first thing the woman in the seat beside me and I did was open the magazine in the pocket and work the crossword puzzle!  It was a beautiful day and I got pictures of the clouds beneath me!!!  When we landed in Charlotte, North Carolina the pilot agreed to a picture and told me to hand the camera to the flight attendant so I could be in the picture with him!  Randy was a great pilot and I thanked him for a smooth ride and for the picture I will treasure.

Randy the Pilot

In the seat next to me on the next leg of my journey was a most interesting man, who is on the cutting edge with a project to help unemployed in the Cleveland area. It was fascinating to learn about what he is doing and he graciously put my name on the mailing list for a newsletter from his group.

Our plane was delayed, and it was raining lightly when we landed, but Matt was there to meet me.  It was so good to see him! He had come right from work so I got my first ride in his huge van – quite a challenge to get into so high a vehicle but with Matt’s help I did it and we were on our way.

Matt picking me up from the airport

Since it was getting late, Matt offered to take me to any restaurant I chose, or (an even better idea) he would go to Guido’s and buy pizza and salad, buy some beer and we would eat in the luxury of my own home – could take off my shoes and lean back and enjoy his company and the food I enjoy.   What a lovely gift on my return, to spend a few hours with him enjoying  my favorite pizza.

It did not take long to get back on the merry-go-round that is my life!  On Saturday enjoyed being with about forty people from Tetelestai as we celebrated the 50^th Wedding Anniversary of Tom and Pat Malak (riding with them makes it possible for me to be a part of Tetelestai) with a Mass at Gilmore followed by lunch.  Returning home at 12:30, I joined Marilyn in going to Middlefield to visit with her Amish friend who would soon have foot surgery.  Sarah Miller had saved hollyhock seeds for me and had lovely seedlings waiting for me.  On Tuesday, Cheryl and I went to recycling and then few hours in Middlefield.  A return to choir practice at 7:30 on Wednesday was a happy time.

Thursday, my first day back at Brown Baggers (we play a simple game of 31 aka SKAT from ten till four) was also fun. That evening, Marilyn took me for a ride to watch the hot air balloons in the Chagrin area.

Chasing the hot air balloons

On Friday, met my long time friend, Shirley Jenkins at Yours Truly in Hudson to celebrate her 84^th birthday, which was the day before.

Shirley Jenkins 84th Birthday

We visited the former Ranger/head elf on the Polar Express who is now a librarian in the Hudson library, talked with Shirley’s daughter there and had a delicious ice cream Sunday where Shirley’s grandson works. Later, another fun time of chasing the balloons with Marilyn – after watching them take off, trying to find where they land and watch them come down.

Balloon Recovery

We did find several at a park in Bainbridge. A lovely, lovely day. Saturday was my first day back at Kumon in about six weeks and it felt good to be back.  On Sunday, after singing at ten o’clock Mass, off to Northfield for a baby shower at one, followed by a wonderful cookout at Matt and Char Brett’s house at five.  Monday was Memorial Day and the last minute I threw together a cookout – Matt & Tina, Cheryl, Marilyn and neighbors, Tom and Fran Keesey.  Matt does the grilling; Tina makes tasty turkey burgers so we have them and the regular burgers.  Lots of fun, lots of laughter.  Week continued on in same busy fashion and before I knew it June was here!

Cheryl had heard that the auction in Middlefield on Monday has plants for sale and she is busy making the outside of her house as beautiful as the inside so she suggested we go.  Since Tina had not been there, I suggested she join us.  The auction starts at eight and Cheryl wanted to leave by 7:30!  Tina and Cheryl came to my house and we proceeded on a really fun loop of stops.  Started with getting gas in Newbury, then on to Navoroo Road in Middlefield, (quite an experience as we did not bid but wandered through the flea market and picked up a number of items). We all had a ball and filled the car with two Spirea plants for Cheryl, a small lilac plant for me, and a few things for Tina. We then went to an Amish farm to get eggs, followed by a stop at Pleasant Valley Nursery where I had previously bought a Fuschia hanging basket.  I got a small plant to put near my mailbox; Cheryl got some things and Tina found a Fuschia plant she likes. Next was a stop at an Amish salvage store on Route 87 in Middlefield followed by a trip to a really interesting cemetery – some of the grave stones have animals carved on them and there is a life sized statue of a black lab sitting next to the owner’s grave!  We then stopped at the Store on the Commons (cemetery and store are both in Mesopatamia).  Tina liked the old style gas station next door, too.  We then circled back to the Original Cheese Factory in Middlefield to buy a few things and each bought a sandwich to have for lunch.  Stopped at an Amish bakery nearby and picked up cookies to have with our sandwiches.  We stopped at a Byler’s vegetable and fruit stand in Farmington, but only hanging baskets of flowers available. Was a really chilly day which ultimately ended in rain, so did not eat out of doors but stopped near a park in Parkman and ate in the car – I had packed iced tea and water.  What a wonderful day with Tina and Cheryl!!  So much of this was new to Tina and I was so happy that she was delighted with all of it.  Cheryl and I have done this in the past, and now we will be sure that Tina joins us whenever she can.  It was a truly fun day.

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

Then a teacher who has been at P.K. Yonge since Claire and Matt there (and probably before) came out toward the picnic table where we sat to eat.   Mr. Dodge was wearing a red tee shirt with the words “Mr. Wonderful” on the front and I asked for a picture with him.  I had hoped he would stand beside me as he is over six feet tall, but he crouched down between Leila and me (that was fine.)

Leila, Mr. Dodge and Grandma Jo at lunch

Leila was so cute and we hugged when she went back to class.

Wes stopped for bird seed; went to French Bakery, and then to a specialty shop where we met a friend from his neighborhood — Deidre – and we had such a nice talk as Wes told her all about my blog and what I am learning.

We had to return for Wes to attend an online meeting and while he was on the computer, I started to pack.  He then printed boarding passes for me.

Malik and Leila

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 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.

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.

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.