Sunday, September 27, 2015

Family and Friends News

Family and Friends

September was eventful. Aunt Mary,
Gary's aunt, died on Sept 26. She was 3 months
shy of 100! My brother, Norm, finally got his
kidney transplant (Sept 20th) after years on dialysis.
Norm in striped shirt, cousin Diane, baby brother Greg, and Me











My friend Vicki's brother died tragically. He was 
a very talented writer and film maker. Although
I didn't know Geoff, Vicki is a dear, dear friend
and I'm sorry she is grieving.

Had lunch at the Bonefish Grill (coconut shrimp) 
with Nancy prior to her 3 week trip to the "stans"
(Uzbekistan, Kazakhastan, Turkmenistan...more).
Nancy and I













Friend, Karen, came in for the weekend from Michigan.
We went to a favorite diversion spot...the casino.
Had wine and laughed.
Karen
















Went to the Purple Painted Lady Barn Sale and Junk
Jubilee in Palmyra to see friend's booths.  Bought a 
river agate necklace from Carol and Curt, Silvery Moon
Designs (beautiful work), saw Maryanne at her
Books, Etc. booth and bought soap from Chicory Farms
Goat milk soap. Ran into my cousin Lisa (unexpected), 
but so  thrilled to see her. We have had a gorgeous 
September weather, and this day did not disappoint!
Carol and Curt

Maryanne

Julie, baby goat/Chicory Farm soaps


Block Island RI

Welcome to Block Island Sept 8-14 2015


Sharon...we rode bikes along the coast





View from our hotel room


Breakfast on the porch

Guys exhausted after six flights of steps



Coming into block island by ferry





















Gary and I joined our friends, Doug and Sharon, 
for a mini vacation, by ferry, to Block Island. 
Stayed in an old, quaint hotel with no air conditioning, 
and it was hot (but the breezes were refreshing). 
Somehow though I got heat exhaustion (we have a funny
video of my day recovering that I will NOT share except 
to a few). We biked along the coast line, ate clams and 
awesome dinners, and enjoyed the shops and scenery.
I love New England! 

Stayed with Doug and Sharon at their home in Conn. a 
few days. Doug cooked an amazing lobster and fillet dinner. 
We also went to the Brimfield Antique Show in Mass. First 
time there and we will definitely go next year (even if we 
have moved by then.) Spent a day at Shenipsit Lake, where 
the guys fished and Sharon and I relaxed and collected stones.





Shenipsit Lake



Sunday, September 6, 2015

Thousand Islands

Aug 21-23 Thousand Islands

Gary had to pick up his shorebirds from the
Duck Shop in Clayton, so we made a long
weekend for a mini vacation, just the two of us.
We love the Thousand Islands, and would stay 
with friends, Patti and John, who have a great
house on the river.  But, now the verb is HAD!
Last winter did them in, so they sold and bought
a house in Greenville, SC.  They will only be 
1 /1/2 hrs away when we move to Cumming GA.

We stayed at the Riverside Hotel in Alexandria 
Bay, ate at Riley's (superb), and took a river cruise 
with Uncle Sam two nation tour.  The guide was 
great, intelligent and funny...had many personal 
stories of the people, castles and fork lore of the 
region. The cruise was 2 1/2 hours and very 
relaxing. We learned there are actually 1, 864 
islands in "The Thousand Islands."

We took photos along the way, stopping in 
Sacket's Harbor for lunch and Clayton for antique
browsing. The weather was perfect! 
Cruise video

Hotel where we stayed

View from our balcony

Sacket's Harbor for lunch

Sacket's Harbor Gardens

Indian Retro Bike

Smallest Island to the left-do you see it?

Love the ship's name

Thousand Islands all about castles


Hundreds of jet skis on parade that day
 

Busy Summer

Karen Moving to Michigan

My dear friend, Karen, is moving away.
We met over 12 years ago at a children book
workshop at Writers and Books. We were
sympatico from that day forward and over
the years were in writing critique groups,
went to antique shops and shared ideas, 
feelings, hopes and dreams. And laughed 
often!
Karen and I at the Macedon Park Butterfly  Garden













We loved to go out for a glass of wine and
calamari.  Karen was authentic and unique.
She was ethereal and whimsical. She brought 
out my wit, and I brought out her confidence.
She loved to draw fairies, so I created a fairy
garden for her going away present. 


Fairy Garden gift for Karen

Me, Heather and Karen































Karen loves jewelry and is extremely 
knowledgeable about antique and vintage jewelry.  
I am making organic jewelry now that combines 
clay, home-made paper, pieces of shells, and 
beach finds. I love to make jewelry for friends.  

Gift for Karen

Gift for Taylor (made similar one for Anna)































We will hopefully never lose touch for long...
texting makes it so easy to stay connected.

Finally had lunch with my friend Nancy.  
We tried the new Indian Restaurant, Flavors.
Next time I'm ordering the lobster!  Only $20
for two tails.  The food is the best, freshest
and beautifully presented I've ever had for
Indian cousine.















Also, finally had lunch with Dayle and Lily.
Went to Rio Tomatlan.  Lily just got back from
driving with her husband full circle to state 
parks in US.  Dale is now a grandma, so we
shared many photos of our families.

Dayle, Me and Lily








My friend Heather comes over a lot to swim
with her kids, Emily and Nathan.  With my
grandkids so far away, it's great to have lively
children around.  Sometimes the kids bring 
friends and Jake is never happier.  The video
will show you that Jake thrives on kids energy!















I met Heather substitute teaching at Pal Mac.
She reminds me of actress Helen Hunt in her
expressions.  She and her kids love Jake and
likewise. They spent an afternoon at our cabin
and Jake manifests his affection with gusto.
Jake greeting Heather


Emily and Nathan in loft


Playing checkers