Dateline Madeira



Ohio, that is. Yes, we drove out here for the 50th reunion of Indian Hill High School. Yes, I only made it as far as third grade here. Yes, I do feel a little odd for being here. But I'm wearing a Bengals shirt and a Reds belt and hat, so I blend. 

The backstory is that my third grade best buddy contacted me from Austria last year. He'd been living there for forty years. And he told me about the reunion and here we are.  Pictured here is Steve and me at Cunningham Rd this morning.  And another with Sarah Harrison whose family bought the house from us.  

It is high school reunion season as Mary went to her 50th twice postponed. Mark and Lew came up as well  They had way too much fun. 

We had a nice drive out here and the fall colors in NY and Pennsylvania and Ohio are better than home. The drought really did make a difference. 

That drought ended a month ago so the grass continues to grow and we harvested the last of our tomatoes. Beets and carrots and maybe green peppers and fall lettuce remain for our return. 

And we won't have long once we get home as we start getting ready to head to Brazil. Sankar is already there, in Rio, sending us photos of his climb up to the Christ the Redeemer statue and from a soccer game. 

Annie was back in Asheville NC this week at what she called "hippie camp". Looks like a very rural, internet free spot. When was the last time you weren't connected?

Other travel included Margaret's week in Peru working on the advance team for Secretary Blinken's attendance at the OAS meeting there. I bet she was busy and that Lima had changed. 

While she was away, Andrew held the fort with Simon. They went up to see his parents one weekend and then went over to see Jeff and Melodie as well. 

Other travel included Andrew and Lur making their way around Lake Michigan all the way up to Travers City. Their excuse was to attend a volleyball game with Claire as coach but they made a whole weekend out of it. 

We saw Kiernan making his way up to Hopewell to visit his grandparents and aunt. He's growing so fast, sitting up!

Down in Brazil, Leonor's father is visiting and paving the way for the crew to descend on them in November. 

Birthday greetings go out to Auden, Janet and to Tina who we missed in the last letter.  Happy, important days 

And hope they all are for you. Love from out here.