Our summer trip to the USA in RI is about to end. We are always ambivalent about going “home” to CH. It, as always, has been a busy time.
Children and grandchildren all like to come to Newport, and we are always ready to see these precious people in our lives. It is always a joy to see these kids and grandkids and to hear how their lives are changing. We get to experience the 24/7 aspects of the USA. We have fun buying and cooking the foods that are not common fare in CH. Just yesterday, I cooked a big “mess” of turnip greens. Before we leave, I am going to use my new Dutch oven pot to fix some crayfish/alligator etoufee. I wish that I could get that pot back to CH, but it is too heavy.
This year, we traveled to my old hometown of Jackson, Tennessee to be at my high school’s 50th class reunion. That was a real hoot for both of us. It did use up four days of our Newport time though. Another exciting event for us was a trip to Boston to see the Red Sox play in Fenway Park. That is always an event. We enjoyed a concert one night in Providence and visits with USA friends here that we often see in CH.
I continue to find Rhode Islanders very unique people. The traffic courtesy is still here even though our rental car has NY plates. The condo is as nice as it is always, but there are also the usual things to do to keep it up. We are fortunate to have a lovely lady retired navy captain to live in it for us this year, so that is one less thing to worry us. I want to get back to CH to see how our plants are doing, meet old friends, and get the German papers to brush up. Of course, Barbara has her students, the bridge club, and the international ladies club on which to check.
We are indeed fortunate people.
24 July 2007
18 July 2007
Half of a Century
This last weekend, I went to my 50th high school reunion. To say the least, it was a mixture of fun and sadness. It was fun to see all these senior citizens who looked vaguely familiar but who sounded just like they did 50 years ago. Everyone had changed, and some had done this more than others.
Our class had 183 members. Less than 50% attended the reunion with spouses or alone. From what I hear, our attendance was pretty good. 26 members of the class have died ( 14% ). That is better than expected. Those that have died were definitely present with us and likely were remembered by all. None of us were unaware of the fact that it was only a matter of time until we joined their club.
One thing was clear. There is an "Olive Oil" Syndrome. This is what a friend of mine calls it when a skinny and plain girl in high school grows into an attractive older woman. I saw several examples, while the reverse was also true too.
There were parties and grand opportunities to visit, tell stories, and share experiences. We had gained families, work history, and life knowledge. Someone will the last one left of our group. I hope they remember to turn off the lights when they leave.
Our class had 183 members. Less than 50% attended the reunion with spouses or alone. From what I hear, our attendance was pretty good. 26 members of the class have died ( 14% ). That is better than expected. Those that have died were definitely present with us and likely were remembered by all. None of us were unaware of the fact that it was only a matter of time until we joined their club.
One thing was clear. There is an "Olive Oil" Syndrome. This is what a friend of mine calls it when a skinny and plain girl in high school grows into an attractive older woman. I saw several examples, while the reverse was also true too.
There were parties and grand opportunities to visit, tell stories, and share experiences. We had gained families, work history, and life knowledge. Someone will the last one left of our group. I hope they remember to turn off the lights when they leave.
07 July 2007
Isn't this the Truth?
"hope that can never die /Effort and
expectation and desire/ and something evermore
about to be"
The above is from Scott Fitzgerald.
What a great thought! If you think about it, this is what Idyllers do before every trip. It also works with children and grandchildren.
expectation and desire/ and something evermore
about to be"
The above is from Scott Fitzgerald.
What a great thought! If you think about it, this is what Idyllers do before every trip. It also works with children and grandchildren.
05 July 2007
Is this as It Is Supposed to Be?
I saw Big Al (Al Gore) on TV twice this AM. Once on a liberal branch of the media and once on a conservative network. He is not one of my favorite politicians, as few are these days. In fact, I am hard pressed to vote for anyone right now. I am a Tennessean by birth, but Al isn't one of us, as far as I am concerned. His father, on the other hand, was a tolerable liberal.
My point is this. The first question out of each interviewer's mouth today was about Gore's son who was caught with a DUI and drugs in his car yesterday. What the *(%$# does this have to do with politics, global warming, or anything in the public sphere? My answer is nothing at all. What do John Edwards' wife's breasts have to do with anything outside her family? Same answer from me.
We all put our pants on one leg at a time. If we are parents, we all are subject to worry about the whims of our adult children. Big Al's son is 24 years old!! Having seen other similar situations, I know that what adult children do with their lives are not under parental control and are largely a matter of the Grace of God or something else aside from our responsibility.
The networks are out of control and need to be censured in the most effective way. That way is to bring down the wrath of God around those who pay for the airtime to advertise. If this is censorship (I doubt this), then it is as it should be. Freedom of speech does not allow one to yell Fire" in a crowded place just for the hell of it. The media needs to be held accountable for their actions. This kind of interview has no value.
My point is this. The first question out of each interviewer's mouth today was about Gore's son who was caught with a DUI and drugs in his car yesterday. What the *(%$# does this have to do with politics, global warming, or anything in the public sphere? My answer is nothing at all. What do John Edwards' wife's breasts have to do with anything outside her family? Same answer from me.
We all put our pants on one leg at a time. If we are parents, we all are subject to worry about the whims of our adult children. Big Al's son is 24 years old!! Having seen other similar situations, I know that what adult children do with their lives are not under parental control and are largely a matter of the Grace of God or something else aside from our responsibility.
The networks are out of control and need to be censured in the most effective way. That way is to bring down the wrath of God around those who pay for the airtime to advertise. If this is censorship (I doubt this), then it is as it should be. Freedom of speech does not allow one to yell Fire" in a crowded place just for the hell of it. The media needs to be held accountable for their actions. This kind of interview has no value.
02 July 2007
A Tale from a Friend
Olympic air was just like the reviews I read about them on line previous to the trip. The flights were late, the food was lousy, and the service was poor. On the flight from JFK it was 4 and a half hours before they served anything. We caught on after a few hours that it was self service. If you wanted a drink you went to the gallery at the back of the plane and poured yourself a water or juice. We saw the greeks walking to the back and coming back with cups of water. So Sue went to the back and got us 2 waters. they had pitchers on a table.
After they served the meal the attendants disappeared.
Right after the plane took off from JFK while the plane was still ascending Greek passengers got up and started walking around and going to the bathroom. Finally they sent a female stewardess forward to chase them back to their seats. It was funny she blocked the one bath room door with her body. There was a lot of yelling and hand motions. The one steward got into 6 fights, 3 with the same guy whom he kept picking on and 3 ladies. It was funny.
The return trip was a 10 hour 40 minute trip so I stocked up with food and water for the return trip, but on the way home they served a hot meal one hour into the flight, shut the lights out and told you to close the window shades, and then disappeared for 7 hours and self service kicked in. We got a cold meal an hour before we landed. I swear the attendants changed into tourist garb and hid among the passengers. The check in at the Santorini airport was hillarious. That's a story for another time.
At least the pilots were good, they made very smooth landings.
After they served the meal the attendants disappeared.
Right after the plane took off from JFK while the plane was still ascending Greek passengers got up and started walking around and going to the bathroom. Finally they sent a female stewardess forward to chase them back to their seats. It was funny she blocked the one bath room door with her body. There was a lot of yelling and hand motions. The one steward got into 6 fights, 3 with the same guy whom he kept picking on and 3 ladies. It was funny.
The return trip was a 10 hour 40 minute trip so I stocked up with food and water for the return trip, but on the way home they served a hot meal one hour into the flight, shut the lights out and told you to close the window shades, and then disappeared for 7 hours and self service kicked in. We got a cold meal an hour before we landed. I swear the attendants changed into tourist garb and hid among the passengers. The check in at the Santorini airport was hillarious. That's a story for another time.
At least the pilots were good, they made very smooth landings.
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