It felt like a betrayal, turning in my 2010 Volvo, such a good friend. But it was time to get a new car, maybe something a little bigger. It was either a new Forester or a VW Tiguan, the latter was my choice and amazingly Bill liked the one we test drove. Feels nice to have a new car, seems reliable so far.
This year it seems my introversion is almost an ancient memory. I was in the first row for the St Patricks Day line dance, and Sondra asked me to be one of her singers (sing??) at her 90th celebration. Even Bill thought I was the only one on key.
In April we took the train up to NYC to rendezvous with Mimi and Wayne. Hard to see them very often since they moved to Walla Walla. We also got to see some of the Radoses, dinner at an Alsatian restaurant (Cafe d'Alsace). And we squeezed in a concert, the Markus Passion at Corpus Christi.
.jpg)
In July we put our new car to the test, drove up through NJ to Guilford, where we were able to spend a little time with Gwen. Her dear Norm was dying, so we spirited her away to dinner at Chapter One on the Green. I also was able to have coffee one day with Dennis Culliton, and we shared our similar projects researching slavery in CT and NJ. We even went to Old Saybrook for dinner outside at Liv's Oyster Bar and then to the Kate to hear some Stravinsky and Fauré. The last morning I attended a meeting (at the graveyard) of the General Andrew Ward Cemetery Association, the first one I had been able to go to in many years. Our next stop was Fox Hill retirement home, where we stayed a couple of nights and visited our friend Sherla (who had moved there from BayWoods). Many comparisons were made. She has access to more cultural events, but the place is lot bigger, and she's a long way from the dining room!
A few weeks in Gilmanton, very restful. Nice visits with Jay and Alaiyo, Bruce and Janet, a potluck with Mark. We also finally had dinner at the Gilmanton Winery, just Bill and Genevieve and Phil and me, sitting outside on the front porch. On the way home this year we went to Shelton, CT, again, and dinner on the Housatonic at the Housatonic House, best crab cakes!
Wasn't home very long before I had my next trip coming up, a long weekend staying with Janet in Laguna and attending my 60th high school reunion in Newport Beach. Susan Winston Noble stayed with us, some very funny coincidences with her life and Janet's (her twin sister Linda's husband, for example, was the son of Len's law partner). The reunion itself was worth the trip, even though it was only a few hours long. Got to sit and talk with lots of old classmates, probably the last high school reunion I will go to. I had done a lot of the publicity (via Mailchimp) so it was great that so many people showed up. I also got to visit Janet's new CCRC in Dana Point (at this point in time she's planning to move there in early 2026), Sea Bluffs.
We now have TWO younguns in the family, Riley and Michelle's daughter Robin was born October 16. We haven't seen her yet but the photos are really cute. I can only imagine the day when she gets to meet her cousin Elio from Germany, that should be fun!
Thanksgiving we spent with my second cousin Kathy and her husband Shibley again. We felt like we remembered well most of the people there, a very pleasant way to spend the holiday.
Our next event is driving to Buffalo for Christmas. You're doing what?? You'll hear about it, especially if we survive the trip.
