A Thanksgiving to remember

It wasn't the day. We had no turkey, no pies, no mashed potatoes. No over the River and through the woods. No grandmother's house either. No football. I think the menu was takeout fish stew. The backdrop was coconut trees and World Cup soccer. 

But it was the fact we were all together. Far away, but together. In Guarajuba. In fact, we were there almost a week, with the exceptions of excursions into the city of Salvador known for its Afro-Brazilian vibe. 

And then we went our separate ways. After a bout of food poisoning??, Margaret and Andrew headed home on Black Friday only to arrive the next day. That's when Annie and Sankar split off for an extra day in Salvador before Annie heads back. The rest of us returned to Brasilia for a few more days before Mary and I give Joe and Leonor some much needed rest after playing hosts for several weeks.  

We turned their home upside down displacing children from their rooms and disrupting routines. That meant loss of sleep for Joe and Leonor but they never complained. They shepherded us around and translated for us. They made all the arrangements. We sat back and enjoyed the ride. 

A couple of other notes. Rarely have I ever, ever been on a beach more secluded than Guarajuba. Just beautiful. 

We fell into routines quickly, jumping in the pool right off the front door before breakfast and heading over to the beach for lengthy playtimes. Then back to the pool There was even time for a nap and World Cup and trips to a playground with a trampoline. 

And a special thank you to one five year old Thomas who, as the eldest, did such a good job keeping his brother, sister and cousin happy and entertained.  

Not sure we'll ever have another Thanksgiving like this one which makes it so special. 

So sorry to hog all the ink about our holiday, but we couldn't even check in via phone or Tik Tok. And there weren't even any photos of your turkeys or pie spreads. But we can guess you were all together with your families and enjoying the day. 

Dateline Brasilia

And it's snowing. In Pittsfield. But here we are swimming. Or at least Mary is. I'm eating a bacon cheeseburger. 

In fact the whole gang is here.  Mary and I arrived in Rio one week ago. Our first night, we met up with Joe for dinner who was there for work. 

And then on Friday Andrew, Margaret and Simon landed, and you'll never guess who they bumped into in Immigration. Annie!  

Sankar has been in Brasil for about a month, and he came over from Salvador de Bahia,  and we convened in an air bnb on Cocacabana Beach. Tough life. As Margaret said: she liked the Rio vibe. What's not to like?

A few days of sun and fun there, and then we made our way over to Joe and Leonor's in Brasilia.  They welcomed us into their new home where we met Luisa for the first time.  Happy girl! And got reacquainted fast with Thomas and Joao. And Joe served up a wonderful welcome barbecue.  

Leonor had a scare (and so did we) when her arm got caught in the driveway gate after she picked us up at the airport. But, she's okay. Too much excitement. 

And we still have two weeks to go!  Our motto? No headlines, no hospitals. 

That's us. What about you?  Well, raise your hand if you've seen Hamilton, the play. I think I see a number of hands and now one more as Tina and Donald took in a show. She said she paid $29 or something like that for each ticket. They didn't have that deal when we went. A great show at any price. 

Also saw Peter and Johanna enjoying a US women's national soccer team game. Getting ready for next World Cup and with equal pay now too!

Speaking of World Cup; we'll be here in Brazil when the cup starts on November 20. Who do you think we should root for?  Does Brazil have a team?  Did they qualify?

We spoke with John and Marilyn who were anticipating the next hurricane coming over the east coast of Florida. Turns out it wasn't as extreme as Ian but still dumped a lot of water. We saw photos of their town Port Orange under water. And we saw Heather and her daughters on Facebook taking in a Green Bat Packer game. A highlight for lifelong fans. Sounds like it was a good one too. Hope they stayed until the end. 

Also touched base with Andrew and Lur who were joined by Claire, down for the weekend. 

We had a busy last week before departing. My Afghan student had already saved enough money after 6 months of work to buy a car. As soon as he got a license he wanted wheels. So it was a good English lesson with a few stories. He bought a used car from a Ukrainian mechanic just down the road from our house. And then we did the paperwork. I even gave up my nap to help him one day. But he was successful. The immigrant story. 

First call. We put down the first deposits for  Poconos 2023. And by coincidence, look at the dates. July 20 to July 23. Easy to remember. We'll touch base in the new year and see where everyone stands. Right now we have seven cabins reserved. 

Just around the corner. Can't wait. 

That's all for from south of the border. Love 

Halloween!!

Some of you may have noticed that Pop's Weekly Letter has a decided "Lake Wobegone" effect, where "all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average."  I thought it was something I just made up, but there is actually a psychological syndrome called that: "The Lake Wobegon effect is the human tendency to overestimate one's achievements and capabilities in relation to others."  So, I've decided to create another blog called, "Not for the Weekly Letter," and there will be just one reader – me.  When I get permission from the appropriate person, then I will move it from that blog into the regular letter. 

So, the first item to move over, comes from the Midwest, where Bill and Jen gave me permission to announce that they are going to have another baby.  Jen is due in January, and when we saw her, she was just beginning to show a little bump.  Congratulations.

There's another syndrome, we found out about when we lived in Mexico.  It's called "no tiene abuela," which means "doesn't have a grandmother."  It refers to people who boast too much.  It recently occurred to me that my only grandmother passed away when I was six, so in fact, maybe I suffer from "no tiene abuela."  Fortunately, all the next generation do have abuelas, so we can brag about them all the time, and they just so happen to all be above average.

Cases in point – we had several performances in Andrew and Lur's home, by Auden and Elliot, singing and dancing, with Miles doing cameo comedic appearances in comedic nose, moustache, beard and glasses.  Talented, happy group.

In New York, we saw photos of young Donald at the symphony, loving every minute of it.  Like his namesake, but the younger version stayed awake!  And, he and Everett looked like they thoroughly enjoyed their weekend camping in a yurt!

In DC, Simon at first had nothing to do with his Halloween costume, opting for his pjs, until school day, when he climbed in his pumpkin(?) suit?

In Baltimore, Kiernan braved his way through vaccine shots, without a whimper. 

In Brazil, Luisa is sitting up, all by herself.  And, of course, smiling.  Poor John continues to have his health issues with foot and mouth disease, and once cured of that, got laryngitis.  Thomas is taking and loving ballet.

Convinced?  Yes, they have abuelas.  And abuelos, even.

Other than that, we had a wonderful continuation to our trip after the high school reunion in Indian Hill.  We went to church in Indian Hill, where they had an outdoor service (beautiful, sunny, fall day) featuring a "Kirkin' of the Tartan."  Kind of a blessing of the Scottish plaids and clans.  Nice tradition.

Off to Chicago, for three days in Dundee with highlights being the visit by Billy and Jen and crew, dinner with Daniel in Chicago and a slide show, successfully dusting off the old projector and carousels.  Should I add that many of the slides were put in upside down.  Challenging but still fun.

Off to Fairport, by way of Lorraine Ohio, picked out on a map.  It looked interesting but is definitely one for the miss-able category.  Depressed area, but not as bad as Gary Indiana which we passed through on the way to Chicago.  Anyway, in Fairport, we watched a little baseball, had a nice dinner out (thank you very much), chatted mucho, and admired David's woodworking and gardening.  After a leisurely breakfast we headed home to greet Mary's friend Gerry for the weekend. 

Phew.  A great road trip, all in all.

Finally, Andrew said that the next weekly letter will be just photos, and he's almost right.  There were too many to include, but still I couldn't resist all that are below.  (You'll have to guess who the Dia de los Muertos lady is.)        

 Love from up here.

 

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. 

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 acReds 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. 

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. 

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. 

Dateline Washington DC

Down here in Simon's town for the weekend. We just saw him a couple of weeks ago but he has grown so much in such a short period of time. More words, more coordination, more memories.

It's also Margaret and Andrew's town. And Jeff and Melodie's. And Joe is in town too. He came up from Brazil this week for work. And we were all supposed to go to a Nationals game this evening. We'll see. I think the remnants of Ian may have a different idea. It seemed like a good idea a week ago.

It was easy to get tickets. Go figure. The Nationals have the second worst record in baseball. And they won the World Series just a couple of years ago. Looks like they finished the fight and then just gave up.

Speaking of Ian, John and Marilyn missed the brunt of the storm. They evacuated but a week earlier to England for a long-planned trip. (Haven't heard yet of their theatre or queen's funeral experiences.). They got back to Daytona just on the tail end of the storm, and the photo is the view from their front door. Luckily, no water inside. And lucky their flight home wasn't affected.

We hosted Annie and Sankar last week. Annie had come out for work on the east coast and Sankar is on his six month sabbatical. We took advantage of their visit to spend a night at the summit of Mt Greylock. Something we always wanted to do. There's an old CCC lodge up there and we enjoyed a talk on boreal forests, dinner, and a comfortable evening with a roaring fire in the large Pomfret-like fireplace. The room next to ours had two bunk beds. Hmm. I wonder who would like to sleep in the bunk beds. I get the top. We had gone for a walk on the mountain as well, hence the photo here. I also gave Sankar a quick tour of Shaker Village, but don't tell anyone it was after hours and we snuck on the grounds. I felt like a teenager again.

Other travel? Jeff went up to Fairport we learned when we sent birthday wishes to Paula.

Medical news from Illinois. Billy had his hip replaced. He's too young for that but you never know. Anyway, we hear the recovery is good and he'll soon be back running the 440 high hurdles.

And another birthday shout out to Paula and tomorrow to Johanna!

Here's a mystery. The critters attacking our garden I call groundhogs. Pop called them woodchucks. Huh? The final photo is from my sketchbook when I attempted a woodchuck. Just a long way to say I'm still accepting sketches of Pops Weekly Letter scenes.

Love from down here.