We have been on the road many weeks of the summer, visiting friends and family in North Carolina, Connecticut and on the west coast from California to Oregon. Of course you can't know how folks are unless you spend time with them.
Sitting on the porch in North Carolina in the mountains with old friends is the best. We watch the mountains collecting bowls of clouds in the evening and at our feet, the new kittens - Willie and Johnny, who are always up to new tricks. We love reconnecting with old friends on "the mountain" and I have been there so often I know where the wild flowers bloom and the trail up to the Meadow on top of the world.
Next visit was "to the twins", our newest grandchildren in Connecticut. They are perfectly great and full of words and opinions at two and a half. The boy, Emilio, took great liking to a necklace I wore so I let him wear it for the weekend, and finally he could not resist biting through it. No problem. I am getting it restrung, worth it! I loved seeing those five siblings, the four boys and their little sister and we had so many tumble down wonderful times with them and I feel so happy with how things seem now.
The trip to California and Oregon was one I anticipated with some trepidation. I had engaged a VRBO home on the Rogue River in southern Oregon for ten of us to gather. We slowly drove up the coast from San Francisco - probably my favorite route of all time. We stopped to look at the huge grapes ripening in Sonoma County, fruit trees, and the sere golden fields of summer.
We spent a night in an over the top b and b in Arcata and later we picked up my brother who lives there. We always love those northern California towns with the incredible gardens and the overpowering scent of eucalyptus. My brother is a talented gardener and his backyard garden is on a par with any I have ever seen!
When we arrived at our rental, it was fine. Great views across the river and a hub of bird viewing and the deer visited us often.
The family together after some years was actually just great. It was perfect to be on no one's territory, no sweat. This was the first time in many years that four siblings were together - and we were o.k.
It might have been hard to have my youngest brother (who is disabled physically and mentally), but he came and we all had a sense of humor and a feeling of caring. I know it was a highlight of life for him.
My daughter-in-law brought her two beautiful young children and I loved having even this brief sighting of them and even some good conversations with them.
Sometimes we all sat on the deck looking out over the river and talked our heads off about the books we had read or were reading. We traded them. Sometimes we split off to take hikes or investigate the nearest town. We played scrabble and did jigsaw puzzles. We cooked the excellent fish that was available on the dock.
When we all peeled out that last day we were happy to have spent the time with each other.
Arriving back at our airport, we picked up our nine year old grandson (and the dog) and proceeded home.
And, central Florida home these days is so hot and humid it numbs your brain- and we natives never apologize for whining from late August to when the weather changes! But we love it!
We got up today and were working in the gardens before eight. Andy startled a very new fawn sleeping under the front porch. Great to be home.
