Northern Exposure
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.
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 50th 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 84th 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.