The New Normal (temporary, but it sure doesn't feel like that now)

We're getting a little used to our new life.  Part of it hasn't changed: my law partner has been suffering from serious neck problems for a while, and has been AWOL for going on three months now.  He had serious surgery a month ago and is rehabbing much more slowly than expected.  So I've been doing the work of two for quite a while and will for quite a while more, and was really looking forward to a vacation, even if it was only a week.  However.

We are fortunate that Janet was able to get to the hospital in Pittsfield in good shape as that meant her fracture was not aggravated by movement.  John and Mary were yeoman help, even as they juggled being hosts for their unexpected guests from Peru.  Since Janet's immobilized knee wouldn't fit into our little Fiat (we call her "Bella"), Mary drove Janet back while I followed.  Mary stayed an extra night and helped get things set up.  I had to get back into the office more than I wanted.

The cast is purple, but that's about it.  It holds Janet's leg out straight and she can't put any weight on it.  So she uses a walker and hops around.  We moved her Mom's old recliner into the den, moved some things out, and we both sleep in the guest room.  When we first moved in this house, we knew that none of our parents (all still alive then) would do well with stairs, so we converted the dining room into a guest room.  Little did we know that some day we would be "guests" ourselves, using Janet's mother's recliner, a walker just like the one her father used, and a rolling table that we used when her father came to visit.  Fortunately for Janet, we had just replaced the old big screen TV in the den with a big flat screen, so at least she gets that.  She also has the incredible Bose radio from her father's apartment.  But she can't get around much, can't take baths or showers, can't really cook, or do wash, can't drive or take those nice long power walks, and (these really break her heart) can't rake leaves, take out the garbage or recycling, water the plants, vacuum, clean bathrooms, paint, sweep the walks, trim hedges and bushes, chase deer away, take Dasha out, go to the cleaners or grocery store, or book store, or mall, etc.  You get the picture -- I sure do!  She's already made it clear, though, that she, the Disabilities Coordinator at McCarter Theater, is going to see opening night this fall as a "person with a disability."  And she's getting ready to go back to work.  But we'll miss the Springsteen concert at the Meadowlands.

We see the doctor again tomorrow for a follow-up x-ray to make sure all is healing well.  We'll keep you posted.  Thanks for all your good wishes.

The X Factor

It's quiet here tonight, but our thoughts are with Janet. She and Peter should have left Pittsfield today to start their New England vacation. But instead, they went back to NJ with the plans to see a doctor after Janet broke her leg on Saturday morning, on day one of their vacation here in the sunny Berkshires. It was a fluke break, as she fell during her walking exercise regime. Peter and Janet spent the better part of the morning in the Berkshire Medical Center, and they decided to overnight one more night before they headed back this morning. Janet was in a fair amount of pain, especially when anything caused her to move her leg, but otherwise was in good spirits. They have a long road in front of them.

Sean starts his second year of law school this week, and Johanna is
coming home on Tuesday to help out.

Adding to the complicated weekend was a call from Connie and Allen,
friends from Peru who were stranded in Albany with no place to stay.
They stayed a couple of nights when Peter and Janet were here, and
kind of added to the confusion.

We had arrived home a couple of days earlier from our Canada vacation,
following my own stint in the hospital. Antibiotics are a wondrous
thing, and all is better on my front,. Too bad they don't fix a
broken leg as fast.

We had stopped for three nights with our friend Cliff at his "cabin"
in northern Maine. We did our usual Maine stuff there - put bait out
for bears, drove around looking for moose (tracks but no animals), and
swam at our favorite. cold swimming hole. On the way home we stopped
at a kilt maker in Maine to scout out kilts for Joe.

Two signs from our trip: "There is no I in team, but there is a U in
suck." And when we got in Maine, there was a sign on a garbage
barrel: "For your good health, barrel picking is prohibited." Sad.
And, we stopped at a store that advertised it sold pizza and guns. I
wonder if that's a new topping?

We see updates from Montana on David and Paula's trip out west.
Fishing and visiting haunts where we had gone to as kids. There was
one picture from the road to the sun in Glacier Park that Mary and I
visited two summers agom but was back then completely clouded in. We
didn't know there was a peak/butte right there. Couldn't see it.
David and Paula did and took the photo.

Margaret and Andrew went camping this weekend at Chincoteague Island
and sent pictures of the wild ponies running along the beach, with D
eagerly watching. Looks like they had fun.

John and Marilyn started their month-long vacation this week, with a
week with their daughters and families in South Carolina. Then they
head west for New Orleans, Texas and then Colorado. Johnny had mowed
our lawn when we were gone, and it needed it, since we got some badly
needed rain. Thank you!

Joe has moved in to his new apartment and likes it and his new job.
We got a couple of e-mails from Annie who got a new computer and
helped a client with some media training, poising as a Wall St Journal
pushy reporter.

What else? We went to the Guthrie Cetner to see John Gorka, which
unfortuantely Peter and Janet missed. I've been spending a couple of
days a week at UMass helping students who want foreign scholarships
and I got my first homework assignment since 1984.

Danny and Claire started back at school, with Danny in high school
this year, and Claire preparing for senior year and college! When did
that happen? Maybe Claire can submit "Chirstmas in Connecticut" for
her college essays?

Seeing Janet off today, I said "Courage!" She's going to need it and
our prayers.

Love from up here.

Homeward bound

Mary's writing postcards so that means our trip is almost over.

Carnegie Lake

It was a little lonely at the Nassau Inn this morning.  The first time I had walked through the lobby and didn't see a family member.  I walked down to the lake and saw this glorious setting.

Each of us has many memories from this past weekend, but the one common thought I had heard was how much Grandma would have appreciated this get-together.  She left practically no instructions on what she wanted in the way of a memorial, but I think we all knew her well enough to know that this was pretty much -- even more than -- what she would have wanted and more than she expected.  The biggest reason was that everyone made an effort to be together.  Many thanks are deserved for making this so, especially David.  And thank you all for finding and making the time to come to Princeton.  It ain't easy, especially with everyone's work schedules.

There were a few mistakes.  One, I need to correct here is on the cover of Grandma's oral history.  Her birth year was 1926, not 1923.  That was Pop's birth year.  Oh well.  When you share the book with your own next generation, you'll have to correct that.

There were also many things we do normally when we all get together.  Laugh, tease, exercise, eat, reminisce, chat, argue, laugh, nap, eat, go to movies, shop, laugh, and plan.  Did I mention eat?  or laugh?  We cried a little too, at least I did.

We planned our next get-together, in January for Matthew and Tina's wedding.  Save the date!  

And, we also talked about having an annual get-together on or about July 28 in a different place each year.  We floated the idea of Green Lake Wisconsin next summer.   I'm game; anyone else?

It was special to have extended family with us as well - Mike Kline from Kansas, Debbie and Rod Barnes from Texas, Jane Dean from Connecticut and Georgia, Rell and Hope Dean from Florida and Seattle.  We missed Lur as well, and hope for a speedy recovery.

The Pittsfield Dicksons had a lead-in to the Princeton get-together,celebrating first Annie's 25th birthday and then Mary's 60th birthday.  Annie had flown in on a forgettable flight of 21 hours the week before and then joined us right before Margaret and Andrew arrived by car and Joe by train.  We spent part of Mary's birthday on the lake in a party boat where we were treated to the entertainment of D trying to jump int he water to save us all from drowning.   John and Marilyn joined us s well as Mary's Aunt Mary for a steak dinner!  With homemade ice cream from Margaret and Andrew.

We hope everyone made it back okay.  And, that we all have our own special memories.

Love from back here.  

Views

This week's question.  What's your favorite view?  The one that stops you in your tracks and makes you lose track of time as you just sit and stare.  

Pop used to say it was a fire or the ocean.  He and Grandma probably liked the one out their front window, where they had their reading, sewing, needlepoint chairs.

We found one this week on a drive up to Cummington Mass, at the William Cullen Bryant home.  I remember Peter had gone up there last year.  Saturday was Bryant Day in Cummington, and Mary and I went up to hear an author read from his books about Ireland and Pittsfield.  Funny.  But, in this great home, out in the woods in western Mass, Bryant had a great view on top of a hill, with vistas all the way to Vermont probably.  It was an unexpected adventure.

I think Joe is having an adventure, as he has boarded the train in Chicago to come to Pittsfield for the week of birthdays.  (We're going to have a belated celebration for Annie as well.) 

He had been there over the weekend for a friend's wedding.  He has also moved into a new place, and seems to enjoy his work.

Annie had an adventure as well, with an unexpected delay/layover in Seattle on her direct Beijing to Newark flight.  She missed her connection to Boston, but somehow got on a bus and was able to have the weekend with her friends.  She arrives tomorrow from Boston.

Margaret's on her way as well, coming up from New Jersey where she is with Andrew and celebrating his mother's birthday.  She's bringing D, and we need him here to chase the woodchucks and rabbits and crows and deer.  And squirrels.  And maybe even a bear.  Did I mention we saw a big bear poop?  

Speaking of animals, we saw at a store in Cummington a big piece of paper the owners had put up with wildlife sightings.  Most of them had to do with bear.

Mary has been spending her time working on the landscaping for the house.  She has suggestions from everyone, often in conflict.  We had a bunch of dirt delivered this week, and that means someone is on a wheelbarrow duty.  Guess who?  She's also started a master's swim class at the Y, and tried out a yoga class.  

We've been watching Breaking Bad, Mad Men and Friday Night Lights.  And, we're ready for the Olympics.

Remember when it used to rain?  You know, that water that fell from the sky?  We always complained, BUT NOT NOW!  I understand London is having a record year for rainfall.  Send some our way, please.

Hope you're all well.  See you this week in New Jersey.

Lover from over here.  

 

 

 

Vacation land

Are you ready for a vacation?  Then come on up.  There is vacancy now.

 

We have had our share of visitors, but are always ready for more.  Mary's brother Timmy was here for a few days, having come back east from Mexico's Baja for a little R&R following his operation.  He has a huge scar and lost a lot of weight, although not the kind of diet one would recommend.  He stayed here for a few days, and showed us a couple of sites we had not seen - Bennington Pottery and an apple orchard store.  Easy places to dispense with your cash.  We saw him again, after he moved over to stay with John and Marilyn who were having a birthday party for Colleen.  Fun.

 

We also had a visit from Mary's teaching colleague from Maryland and her husband:  Susie and Dave.  They introduced us to a new concept: FOMO.  Fear of Missing Out.  And, while they were here, it seemed like we didn't miss out on much.  Tanglewood, Mt. Greylock, Clark Museum, Edith Wharton's home and gardens, King Kone (photo of Dave)and Dreamaway Lodge, for dinner and music.  (recommended: Sweetback Sisters)

 

What we haven't had here is rain.  And, our garden and yard shows it.  Right now it is threatening to rain, and we hear thunder, and while the weather map shows rain all around, still nothing but a few drops. 

 

A little while ago, I looked outside and saw squirrels and crows on our blueberry bushes, rabbits and woodchucks in our yard, eating weeds I hope.  We also found this week a monster poop, right by our woodpile and garden, which we fear is bear scat.  As we are closing in on final permit/inspections, the conservation commission guy came out and said he saw a deer trail going right through the yard.  And, when we pulled up the black erosion fence, I saw four snakes.  Time for a cat, maybe a dog.  

 

Other news from around - Joe has found a new apartment which he will be moving into this week.  He's seen Margaret a few times and discussed plans for the weeks ahead.  Annie had a big birthday (25) and will celebrate again when she comes home next week (yeah).  

 

Hey, how's your summer going?  We hear David and Paula are planning a trip out west, and Peter and Janet are doing a swing through New England in August.  Andrew and Lur went to Green Lake, and reported that it was HOT! The John Boyles are planning a family reunion in South Carolina followed by a drive out west as well. 

 

When we were at Tanglewood this week (for the 75th celebration) we brought along a Canada book to plan our August trip to Newfoundland.  Exciting.

 

Any other plans out there?  Yes!  New Jersey in less than two weeks.  Looking forward to seeing everyone.

 

Love from up here.   

Summer is green

Are you enjoying the full range of summer?  Baseball, fishing, mowing the lawn at 8pm, gardening, swimming, boating, fireworks, camping.  So much to enjoy, especially when you have power and air conditioning.

 

We left the Washington area just in time.  And, Joe arrived in his rental truck just hours before a serious storm that knowked out power for so many people.  Our friends who lived just down the road from us were without electricity 3 days later.  Joe had to cope with it the next day as he moved in to his temporary apartment in near-100 heat, without power.  Margaret had gone camping, but saw the aftermath of the storm in the campground with trees down and debris everywhere. 

 

We try not to gloat too much, with our 60 degree evenings.  You can remind us in February next year when those 60 degree evenings are 5 degrees.

 

Anyway, our final move had a little adventure.  I think that's part of the equation.  We had all these elements lined up for our departure, including truck rental, movers, colonoscopy, cleaning apartment, stopping in NJ to talk to the minister for Grandma's service, unloading, more movers etc.  And, when the first domino fails to materialize -- in this case the truck -- it kind of, just a little, seems to throw all the other perfectly timed events off.  Aaarghhxfphspvm!!!

 

With a lot of help from Margaret, who took off from work, we got back on track and hightailed it out of DC just ahead of the storm and the heat.  Thanks!

 

At this writing, the Dundee Dicksons and extended families are enjoying Andrew's birthday and Andrew and Lur's anniversary up in Green Lake.  Hope the weather is holding up for you all!

 

I forgot to mention in the last newsletter Annie's big news!  A HAIRCUT!  A radical one.  We saw her on Skype and it looks nice, cute.  We asked for a picture, but I think we'll be able to wait a couple of weeks.

 

A couple of weeks!  Three to be exact.  David has finalized all the arrangements well ahead of time, so we're looking forward to seeing you all and giving Grandma a collective remembrance.

 

Lots of other news.  Where were you when you heard the news of the Supreme Court decision.  Surprised?  Where were you when the Reds fell out of first place?  Stunned? 

 

Hope you had a great 4th!  We did, starting a day early with Mary's friend Marge Murphy's birthday party at our house.  I tried out our new ice cream maker, and we channeled Andrew by renting a pontoon boat.  Lots of fireworks here.  We saw on Facebook that Melodie and Jeffrey headed to Rhode Island and stopped in Pomfret!  Joe was dog-watching for them while they were gone. 

 

We've seen John and Marilyn since we got up here, and Timmy is here with us right now.  He's back east for the first time in 5-plus years, and looking pretty good.  He's lost a lot of weight, but not the kind of diet he recommends - no eating for two weeks while flat on your back from an operation to unblock intestine.

 

I started at UMass this week, at least my graduate assistant postion working part time in the office of scholarship advising.  It's a big bureaucracy, and a friendly one, though.

 

For nature notes, we saw Peter's Facebook photo of a bird nest in his potted plant of fuchsia.  With eggs.  Another summer adventure.

 

So, hope you all are enjoying the season.  It does last forever, right?

 

Love from down here