Road Trip- Part 2

From Buffalo, Sarah, Jacob and I made a quick hop to Chesterland, Ohio (only 3 hours, $75.00 worth of firecrackers and 1 movie!) to visit my friends Mary Beth, Kirk and their sons, assorted girlfriends, friends, relatives, et al. It was a lot of fun to hang out at their amazing country home complete with gardens, a barn equipped with a professional wood shop, sleeping loft, ping pong, pool table and stuffed game heads hung along the walls. In the back of their property, they have created a wonderful swimming hole, installed a huge trampoline and a recently added rustic stone fountain. Other sleeping accommodations are a tree house and a new, small sleep house in its final stages of completion. All their enterprise is inspiring, wonderful and true to them. A respite en pleir air- for sure.

Road Trip- First Stop

I took my print-outs from Map-Quest (after having the car checked out the day before by the mechanic), two of my children, rental dvd's from the library, and sufficient snacks, cash and plastic to embark on an adventure. First night out we stayed with my friend Kathy Moskal whom I hadn't seen in many years. Having her meet Jacob and Sarah was lovely- she got to see some of what has occupied me all this time. She lives in Buffalo now and has recently relocated to the house her grandfather built and where she was born. It was wonderful, bittersweet and meaningful to bring each other up to date and commiserate over some shared experiences from the past.

In the 80's and 90's she was co-owner of Hue hosiery and while working for the brand I got to create some memorable images of their designs for leg wear. So, a lot of history. I have only known her to be a big city girl, and thought this was an exciting new chapter for her. She has created a beautiful design studio in her home. I know she will do great things there.

Fourth of July (Around Here)

My husband is the recently elected president of our manor association and for years has been deeply involved in our local 4th of July festivities. There is an a.m. parade to the hot sunny field that lays between our two neighborhoods (Philips Manor and Sleepy Hollow Manor) where hot dogs and cold drinks, a cake contest, pony rides and field games go in full swing. He is always busy the week before gearing up for the event and then works tirelessly on the the 4th to ensure it all gets done. As the evening progresses, people gather at the local beach club and hang out until the fireworks go off. The club is situated on it's own spit of land and provides a very nice vantage point of the river and the Tappan Zee Bridge. In the course of an hour, you can see across the river to the distant fireworks going off in Nyack and Piermont, and then our village's begin when those end. I find myself taking a fair amount of pictures when I am there because the setting is so idyllic. Almost irresistible as subject matter, when you come down to it.

Adored Creatures

There. I said it. Today I feel like I have three adorable creatures living with me. Along with my husband, the dog (Comet), the rabbit (Napoleon) and the snake (Fluffy). No, I'm referring to my children. Three more or less, on their way, quasi formed, young, almost adult like-ish, people. It's a gift to realize how much I care and can feel connected to these living things. I'm grateful while perpetually mystified (and not always in a good way) that motherhood and I chose each other.

Vacation Update- Week 1

It's the end of the first week of vacation and I am experiencing the agita of observing two able bodied kids seemingly content to do absolutely nothing. (sidebar- Nora spent the week getting her lifeguard certificate at a pool in the city and now is allegedly exercising at the Y. She sleeps in as late as she can and then disappears until much later.) It drains me of my energy while the coaxing, ignoring and reminding have me destined for psychosis. This is always a hard transition for me and blissful for them. They do seem a little grumpy with the bordeom of no demands and so little stress, but a hammock, tv, itunes, netflix, or company of a friend seem to answer that. No one wants to do anything until 4 in the afternoon and by then I am at my wits' end. (It helps the sanity level to maintain a sunny disposition as much as humanly possible and always appear happy to see them. Who doesn't like that?)