The first cool days of fall have arrived in Texas. I am reminded of the homes of our friends in the North West who we visited this summer. Thoughts have been tumbling around in my head for weeks about how wonderful it was to share time with these special people, I thought that some of you might enjoy a peek inside their homes as well. This list is in the order of our stay.
I called an old # … magically Polly answered! I said we would be in the neighborhood in a few hrs. was she up to a visit! YES she cried, this after 15 years, you would have thought it was last week that we saw one another. Like days of old, our chatter covered the map, children, husbands, work, grandchildren, family, sex, all things old girlfriends share. A meal was cooked, like always, and wine was shared, a walk was taken, like always, and Polly graciously stayed with me as her sisters trudged on up the hill. ( I am the one not in shape, like always) the visit was short and delicious. I felt renewed!
A stop with Dani and Eric, in Santa Cruz, they have house guests from Germany, no problem, the more the merrier, we had Dani’s birthday to celebrate! A walk on the beach for Ludmil, me enjoying Dani’s new store, just steps away from where they live, and again cooking dinner together, and sharing customs of celebration for Dani’s birthday. Up early, we four and off to the Alameda Point flea market.
We arrive in Oregon, to home… Julie and Davids, always a soft spot to land, never a lack of food, special smacks brought in just for us, a visit to the farmers market, a true home away from home, where you can walk in a say “I need to go to bed” no questions asked, just a knowingness that it’s OK that you are bone tired and can’t speak a full sentence. Again the talk, the sharing , news of children and grandchildren, old friends…
A quick cup of tea with Gregory and Christine, where the conversation often turns to business ideas, politics, engaging new ideas of the universe…. it is always a visit cut short by time and other commitments, we are always ready to come back for more and that we did a few days later over a delightful dinner.
A drive up to The Barn House now, you open the door and the first thing that hits you is how clean and fresh everything smells, it always looks this way, so tidy, so warm and cozy, but this time it smells sooo good, I am just sure that Joe is using some special organic, expensive , oil of some kind…. he does have a little secret but I will never tell…. we are here for days…. Joe always has a sink full of sudsy water, waiting for that errant dish to be placed inside, there is an arm load of fluffy white towels to be folded it seems, and we cook, and eat and prepare together for our show together. Jermonne comes home each day to access what has happened, and we gather for a late dinner , then we must all attempt to get some rest on those beautiful beds with French linen sheets that await us upstairs, in our own little suite…. can you think of a more lovely way to end a day?
A visit to our little Natalie’s house, includes the three sweetest kids (outside of my own grandchildren).. they show us the chickens, the garden, their rooms and the room that will be ready for us on our next visit. Natalie makes a nice dinner, Lynn attempts to assist Ludmil on the computer , and again the evening has slipped away and it is time to leave, many hugs and promises from the kids… kisses and goodbyes
Leonard and Mary’s house… always feels like a party is about to happen or is happening, or you just missed it by a hair… kids, nephews, strays, cousins, Auntie’s Uncles, grand kids,in and out, food, wine, laughter…. phones ringing….. and all around just lots of love being spread .. it was Leonard’s big 80th birthday and cause for celebration, but then again I have never been there when we were not celebrating something… even just the fact that it was MONDAY!
It is a joy to remember times shared…. we feel truly blessed to be welcomed so in each of these “homes away from home”
This is a long post, I hope you can see how much our friends mean to us…. thanks for allowing me to share. Love Linda
by Linda
4 comments
link to this email a friend