135. Boar's Head

Week 135  1/27/18

Heather, Evan and Rhea participated in a Boar's Head feast and play at the Unitarian Church in Hopedale. The church was decorated as if for Christmas and with small tables for ticket-holders. Tapas-sized foods were served while the cast wandered among us chatting and selling wares such as packaged tea and flowers.

When we got the signal to move to the sanctuary, we were treated to an original play involving time travel. Here Rhea is being monitored by a doctor-character as Heather (St. Georgianna) looks on.

During one of the musical numbers, you can see Rhea in tan and brown near the left and Evan in blue at center.

134. Florida continued

Week 134 1/21-27/18

While in Florida we went to a play (Shakespeare in Love), did some shopping and Paul got two golf games in. We did lots of walking too, but didn't go to the Ringling art museum or Selby Gardens as usual.

We do like to catch up with Jim and Mary Anne, though. This time we had lunch at a restaurant and ended up sitting for quite some time in these expensive deck chairs in front of a hardware store. Note the very large red chair in the background.

Of course we posed in the chair, balanced on the rim.

I don't know why I decided to lean back. I found myself sliding down the chair. Didn't get hurt.

Our special dinner was on Siesta Key at The Cottage. The food was great and sort of innovative.

Paul had hurt his knee before the trip started but he did have fun with golf anyway when it was feeling better.

133. Florida - long overdue

Week 133  1/17/18

We haven't visited Susy for a year and have been looking forward to seeing her in her new place, Glen Ridge, in Sarasota. It seems like a great place to retire. Susy has lots of committees, classes and various groups to join, people to share a drink or meal with, and a beautiful private space.

Here is the view from the room where Paul and I stayed.

Glen ridge has a little coffee shop/ice cream parlor.

This is the lounge. Note the big cylindrical fish tank.

There is a formal and a casual dining room. Here is the casual where we ate several times. No jeans allowed and men must have collared shirts. We had waiter service and the food was excellent and plentiful.

We always set up a puzzle to fill in between activities.

We went to the Sarasota training grounds for the Lippazan stallions. Exhibitions are held a few times a week in January through April. We were told that the trainer/rider staff was extremely depleted due to the flu. This woman did almost all of the exhibition. This is hard work and she must have been exhausted.

We sat among a large group of Amish people.

After the show we were allowed into the barns. This colt is quite young. They are born with dark coats.

Occasionally a Lippizan does not turn white. This is a rare "black" mare. They are considered lucky and every Lippizan barn tries to have one.

132. Inventory

Week 132  1/12/18

We had lots of meetings and appointments this week so decided on an indoor "adventure" that could be done in spurts. We got out some old stuff belonging to Paul's family and cataloged it. Some we will give away, some repack for the future and some put into our own use. We photographed items and wrote descriptions. Paul had the final say on everything because of where it came from. Here he is looking at some writing on a small ladle.

131. New Year

Week 31  1/6/2018


This week, as we often do, we took a few walks from our house, sometimes taking us back to Betania or Wennekeening Woods. We often walk a few miles. When there is snow, why not take out the snow shoes or cross country skis? Well we did and had mixed success. The scenery was great but I had some technical difficulties. The plan was to park the car at the Thayer Place and walk at least to Adams Street - perhaps as far as the boardwalk.

We started out strong. Paul was fairly jogging along at the beginning.

I felt good at the beginning too. The weather was pretty warm and the scenery was very pretty.

 Not too surprising to see deer tracks.

Here I am at the edge of a field at the high school. The snow has been warmed here and is packing a lot. I could not keep it off the bottom of my new L. L. Bean Winter Walkers. At one point I had about 6 inches of mush attached to them. It was hard slogging and I was not happy. I took off the snowshoes and walked to the field at Adams Street where I waited for Paul to get the car. Thanks Paul!!! Our trail club friend Jim happened by and we chatted while I waited.

The special treat of the week was a wonderful New Year's Eve party at Deborah and Vincent's house. Deborah is a very good cook so we enjoyed that meal immensely. The appetizers were a standout too. After dinner and before midnight struck, we played two games of a murder mystery where we drew lots for a murderer and a detective. Everyone else was a potential victim. With lights out, the detective waited in isolation while the rest of us scattered throughout the house until a scream was heard. The detective rushed to the site of the murder and observed, then gathered the rest of the guests to be interrogated. Everyone but the murderer must tell the truth. Lots of fun. Neither detective (it was me the second time) guessed the murderer.

130. First Christmas Away From Home

Week 130  12/22-26/17

... that is the title of a song by Stan Rogers. Yes, this was literally the first Christmas away from home for me. Sixty-four Christmases at my parents' house plus other Medway family homes. And this Christmas seemed just as comfortable as those. Ben and Gillian invited us to Baltimore. Gillian's mom, Sherry was there also. I might as well copy what I posted in Facebook today because that covers most of it!

Paul and I were invited to spend Christmas in Baltimore with our son and his wife Gillian. We had nice weather, saw an improv show, went to a Christmas market, had a beer at a tavern, wandered streets with lights and music, saw a movie at an indie theater and made marzipan fruits. On Christmas afternoon they were preparing a feast of roast beef, several spectacular sides, dressing, sauces and a cherry pie. The parents wanted to help but we were getting in the way. Ben said, “You three, I’d like you to please go upstairs until dinner is ready. I set up the TV with ‘A Christmas Story.’ Just push the button.“ Sherry, Paul and I obediently marched upstairs, sat on the big bed and pushed the button. We laughed lot. When the movie was over we went downstairs to find the meal being served, friend Lynda to greet us and this beautiful table.

In the Facebook post I forgot to mention that the night we arrived, Gillian and Ben took us to the house of a couple they are both friends with. The house is only a few blocks away and as the weather was quite warm and clear all weekend (especially compared with blizzard at home!) we walked. Just as soon as we arrived and were introduced to some other family members of our hosts, two police cruisers pulled up just outside and blocked off the street. We were a bit nervous until we looked further and saw at least 300 people holding candles and beginning to sing Polish Christmas carols! This street was on the carollers' route because of a senior living home nearby. The parade was led by a motorcycle carrying Santa in a side car. After that auspicious beginning we had a nice visit sipping holiday drinks and chatting. I hope I can find one of the photos I took of the parade. (I've been having trouble coordinating photos between devices.)

Here are some more photos of the long weekend. I think Ben and Gillian were exhausted after all this!

Julia made this afghan for Gillian and Ben's first Christmas as a married couple.

The people who live on 34th street set up a huge display for the public every year. Some people opened their porches and even their houses!

I loved these innovative decorations at the canning company.

129. LaBelle Winery

Week 129  12/16/17

It seemed like a nice day for a drive, so we headed north toward Amherst New Hampshire. On the way we stopped at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center on Route 2. Interesting place. They have some antique apple sorting and cider pressing equipment in with the souvenirs and snacks.

Our destination was LaBelle Winery. The winery is owned by Amy LaBelle and her husband, Cesar Arboleda. Amy's father, Fran is a good friend of my sister and her husband. He and I were best man/matron of honor at Lucy and Lenny's wedding. We started by perusing the shelves. They have a large selection of wines and we could see the vineyard areas outside. The building is large, modern and very attractive and includes a large function room, small function room, restaurant seating and small performance space on a patio. We took a tour and had a tasting. We found many we liked, so stocked up on 1/2 case of reds, whites and dessert wines to take home with us.