Which photo to choose to go with this letter? It's the hardest part of this letter, since so much has happened since the last letter, including travel to see so many of you and as always lots of photos on my biggest rival, Facebook.
We arrived home last night after a weekend in Washington anchored around a baby shower for Leonor and Joe. Annie had flown in from Cleveland to join Margaret and Andrew for the happy occasion. The highlight of the shower? All the "onesie" shirts that some very creative folks drew on for the new baby. Leonor and Joe are excitedly preparing, reconfiguring their house and stocking up for the arrival of what they are now calling cutie patootie.
The weekend was the end of a tour through the Rocehester-Cleveland-Dundee route with lots to report on there.
It was a planes, trains and automobiles trip, along with buses. We spent a night at the Fairport yellow inn, which David and Paula continue to enjoy, taking full advantage of the close walking distances to the village. One nearby shop has the best home-made ice cream I've tasted. I recommend the butterscotch ripple, by David swears by the back cherry. Fun, but a little dangerous.
We drove to Annie's from Rochester, and she also has a great living situation, the ground floor of a house in trendy Tremont, or maybe it's transitional Tremont. Either way, lots to do in the neighborhood. We checked out a market in Ohio City (yes there is one) and had lunch with Mary's cousin, Joanne and her husband Scott, who live in Cleveland. Did I mention an evening with LeBron? Or should I say John Wall, as the Wizards schooled the Cavs. Exciting, either way.
Mary headed back to Pittsfield, for school, leaving John to wind his way to Chicago, trying the Megabus, for probably the last time. At least I can say I did it. It might work for 3-4 hours, a little cramped for 7 hours. The price was right. I love how I save money but undergo unnecessary hardship.
After a few hours in Chicago at the Field Museum, I hopped on the double-decker train out to Elgin where Andrew picked me up in the stretch van. The next few days, we spent a lot of time chatting, in between dog walks, hospital visits, and a wonderful evening with Bill and Jen and Miles, Auden, and Elliot. Unfortunately, Jen was on her first day of a cast, having broken her foot the day before. They have a full plate as they have started a new business.
Other medical updates were also part and parcel of the past few weeks. When we arrived in Fairport, David's neighbors walked by and said to him "Welcome home." David clarified that they hadn't traveled any further than the local hospital to check out a heart issue. Within ten days, with a few tests, he had a stent implanted to help with a blockage. Good news.
Yesterday, Andrew had his back surgery which we hope will put behind him the last few months of pain caused by herniated discs. It was not enough to prevent him and Lur from heading to Hope College to see Claire in her final recital over the weekend. Anyway, wishing him a speedy recovery.
And, not on the same level, we are still dealing with some lingering intestinal issues (euphemism for diarrhea) from India.
The drive home included much evidence of the changing seasons. Grass was greener, red buds appearing on the trees, no gloves and coats....... until we pulled in the driveway, and saw snow everywhere, ice on the lake, etc. Still, we are optimistic about the next few weeks. On our list this week is to start seedlings indoors. Eager
Hope everyone is enjoying the warmth. Love from up here.
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