Saying Goodbye

to 2015

to Joe and Leonor, who were heading south in a UHaul with a load of furniture, in the freezing rain.  They won't have such a nice drive, but they didn't have to drive on Joe's birthday.  Remember those days in Pomfret, when Joe got the big birthday celebration with all of you?  Fun.  It was a quiet celebration yesterday that was going well until the Bengals had to go and spoil his birthday.  technically, though, I think they lost a few minutes after midnight so it wasn't really his birthday.

to Annie and Margaret and Andrew, who left on Sunday.  Margaret and Andrew were on their way to the Meadowlands (still called that?) to watch the obnoxious Jets fans whose team pulled out an overtime win against the Pats.  Annie left later in the day, after she had given both Mary and me tutorials on our computers (thanks) and with a full load in her car as well.  It was so wonderful having everyone home.

But perhaps not as nice as it was for Matthew to be home, as he said goodbye to the hospital and re-hab on Christmas Eve.  Tremendous.  So happy to see all the photos on Facebook that we are re-posting one here.  

Speaking of Facebook, would Pop have loved it?  One side would say, it was not his pencil or typewriter ribbon with carbon paper.  But the other side would say, what a great way to keep up with everyone.  

For example, we had a Facebook debate over whether Love Actually is the best Christmas movie, after Melodie posted a photo of High Grant dancing in 10 Downing Street.  

We had another Facebook exchange after Johanna posted a photo from Grandma and Pop's 50th wedding celebration outside the Princeton chapel.

And, we saw Facebook photos of Jen and Bill on their way to Belize, of Myles and Auden in from of the Christmas tree.  And another one of Peter practicing flyfishing, with a little help from Dasha.  

So, we have to ask the question, if we are doing so well staying in touch on Facebook, perhaps we need a Pops Weekly Letter Facebook page.   Just a thought.  Not that I'm saying goodbye to Pops Weekly Letter, especially after Leonor told me she was now an avid reader.

Hope your time together was wonderful.  It was, up here - we saw Star Wars, we finished a difficult puzzle, walked up the mountain in Pittsfield State Forest, ate a lot of cookies, had a great visit with John and Marilyn who were up from Florida for the holidays, watched the fire, walked D, read newspapers, New Yorkers, and books, and had extended dinners and dinner conversations about...... everything.

So, farewell to 2015 - any reservations for next year yet?

Love from up here.

Thanksgiving and Chicago

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  But it sure crept up on us fast.  It seems a number of you have already gotten your trees and are moving into the spirit.  We have put up our wreath on the garage and near the front door, and that's about it.

Part of the problem is that it has been so mild.  Some are calling this the warmest fall on record.  This time last year we had already paid the snow plow guy a few times to clear the driveway.  And, I keep waiting for the temperature to dip below 50 degrees to put on snow tires.

Anyway, the big news continues to come out of Strong Hospital in Rochester.  Matthew has been climbing stairs, and he's walking without the harness.  That's so terrific, meaning he has worked so hard to get where he is and that he's going to make it. Moreover, he's not lost any of his alertness as he's all over the cookiness of Donald Trump and the new movies as well.  Way to go Matthew (and Tina!)

So, let's pick up the thread with Thanksgiving.  Lots of Facebook photos showed where everyone was.  The Rochester folks took Thanksgiving to the hospital; Melodie and Jeffrey were up for the occasion.  Looks like big crowds in New Jersey and Illinois.  Joe hosted his first turkey dinner, and we had wonderful food.  It wasn't Leonor's first Thanksgiving, but it was the first she hosted.  Wonderful - and their house is coming together so nicely.  I love to think about Thanksgiving conversations around the country, and I bet more than a few had Donald Trump in them.  Just what he wants. Speaking of which, hope everyone saw the Thanksgiving skit on Saturday night live, with the Adele song.  

Margaret and Annie had some excitement on Saturday afternoon as they were sitting outside at a restaurant/popsicle joint just a couple of blocks from home.  Minding their own business, they were interrupted by a gaggle of Secret Service guys who descended on the scene, with the announcement that a special visitor would be coming by in ten minutes, to take part in "small business Saturday."  Given the opportunity to leave, Margaret and Annie (and D, I should add) decided to stay.  And, right on cue a few minutes later, a motorcade pulled up and their new best friend, Barack, and his two, very tall daughters, piled out and went in to order some popsicles.  So much for outdoor studying.  

Last weekend, Mary and I went out to Dundee for a few days - a memorable visit.  Highlights included meeting for the first time Auden, who I am sure we will see on the national women's soccer team or in the Olypmics; she insisted on walking everywhere when we walked to and from town for Santa and for dinner.  Miles is quite the big brother, very responsible and helpful.  Great to see Bill, but we missed Jenn who had a cold.  It was nice to just hang out, watching the momentous Packer game, taking naps, chatting in the kitchen and in the living room, and in front of the college football games and on the porch and on walks.  Lur was busy doing her coursework for her social services degree, and Andrew had a tree crew come over to work on Saturday.  

This time our flights worked out but our car did not.  When we arrived at long term parking, our car did not start and we had to wait an hour before AAA showed up for a jump start.  Another memory, one we'd rather not have, though.

This week, Margaret passed a threshold, completing her coursework for her degree.  She had a couple of presentations and papers, but it looks like she is done with graduate school!  How did she celebrate?  Karaoke, of course.  Which songs would have been appropriate for completing studies?  The Thrill is Gone?  We Gotta Get out of the Place?

Today, Mary is off at the New England masters swimming championships.  A pattern has emerged with these meets.  The closer they come, the more nervous and stressed she becomes.  She goes, does well, and is giddy enthusiastic when she gets home.

Other than that, life has quieted down since all the museum jobs ended in early November.  Still going to UMass a couple of days a week, and I have started a new project, a book, on early industry in Berkshire county.  And, we have been busy with our preparations for returning to Gabon at the end of February.  But, I still have time for a nap!

Hope you all are well and enjoying the season.  With so much prep work, it's hard to remember to enjoy.  Love from up here.