Okay, let's start with the obvious. We all would have wanted the first week of this new year to have gotten off to a better start. The mob, riot, insurrection, storming (take your pick) of the Capitol on January 6 came closest to reminding me of 9/11 as any event since, that's for sure. And guess what? I was with Joe on both days. Last time, we were flying to London on our way to Joe's first year at St. Andrews. This time, we were driving to Newark Airport to drop off Joe and Leonor, Thomas and Baby John for their flight home. Leonor looked at her phone, just as we pulled out of the driveway, and we turned on the radio and listened for the next three hours. At least I didn't get tired driving, especially since it was nap time. It didn't seem to phase Thomas or Baby John who slept the whole way. I think we will remember where we were on January 6, 2021 for some time. Where were you?
It sounds like the rest of the journey back to Brazil didn't get much better, as a delayed flight in Newark caused them to miss their connecting flight and wait for a full day in Sao Paulo. We saw them in their pool though shortly after arriving home.
So, how is your new year resolution going? Give up yet? Never even try? The New York Times did a nice thing the other day on resolutions asking readers to draw their resolutions: what they'd do more of, and what they'd do less of. I've enclosed a snapshot of one of their entries. A clever way of looking at resolutions. I was struck by the high number of people who would do less with meat/beef this year. A sign of the times. A few people put alcohol on their list, as I did on mine. Less, that is, not more. Here's a good article I found on the subject of mindful drinking.
Some unfortunate news from Fairport where Paula slipped and fell and broke her thumb, right before Christmas. We talked to David and Paula the other night, and she said she has another week or so in a cast. But she's on the mend. They also mentioned they have hardly had any snow this year.
Who's had their Covid vaccine? I bet the medical heroes in the family have. John and Marilyn are eligible but have had a hard time getting an appointment in Florida where the wait times are up to a full day with long lines of cars. We're hoping to have one by April, although I don't understand why tour guides at Herman Melville's home didn't shoot right to the top of the frontline workers.
Johanna found a house for sale on Columbia Blvd, Silver Spring on a real estate web site: her old house! In the world of coincidences, I had just scanned a weekly letter from April 29, 1985 with the following note: "Mom has been in Washington since Wednesday. I've talked to her each night and I gather that Peter and Janet's move was successful and they are happy in their new home. I also gather that they have worked very hard – a move is certainly no picnic. Although Mom pointed out that I was usually out of town during such events."
We also saw a photo of Johanna with some coasters that she had purchased from Northern Knots Studio! Go Claire - everybody needs coasters! Peter sounds busy with his law practice.
A couple of birthdays – first Jeffrey's and then Margaret's. And they had a party of sorts with Melodie and Andrew and Simon to watch a football playoff game. Outside. On a projected screen. Guess who was playing? TB! Which stands for both Tampa Bay and Tom Brady. Annie was there too. She and Sankar have made the move to DC, a few blocks from Margaret and Andrew.
It's quiet around here now. We've put away the children's toys and gear, and cleaned up and we're back to our old routines of exercise and reading and crosswords and Netflix and fires in the fireplace. And we find we are filling our conversation with memories of the crew that was here and how wonderfully full those days were. What a gift for any grandparent, especially now in these times.
That's all the news that I can remember. Love from up here.
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