I drove to Massachusetts on Tuesday by myself. I think I did it to test my endurance. Started out with rain and an accident blocking three lanes of the beltway. I was glad I left when I did because I was able to get by the accident fairly quickly compared to those after me. But I thought it might be a bad omen for the drive. I had rain, but not heavy downpours until I reached Connecticut where it looked like it could rain any moment. At least the rain kept the road construction away. It took 11 hours with two pit stops, but I made it mid afternoon before dark which was my goal.
I met with my former neighbor (surprised him) and was able to see for myself how his health is failing. I made him laugh a few times and I stayed about an hour or so. He is as ornery as ever and has plenty of opinions left in him. As I left him, I really examined my parents old house. The new owners have made lots of outside changes and I'm glad as the drive by closed a chapter in my life. I then had the best pepper/onion bar type pizza I've had in four years. Have to love local places.
I've spent time with several cousins from both my mother and father's side of the family. It was wonderful to see them and catch up on family lives in person. When I was with one cousin yesterday a blue jay and cardinal appeared (my angels are around me). I also caught up with wonderful ladies from my mom's nursing home and it was so nice to connect again. We went through quite a bit together and helped many residents and family members along the way.
Yesterday I had I a slumber party with my friend Donna from high school. We have always kept in touch and tried to get together whenever I came here. She brought with her three photo albums from the 1970s when we traveled together. It was so funny to see my really red hair and reminisce about the good old days.
Today I spent the day with my Italian sisters and loved ones. I've known these ladies since the 1970s and we usually try to make time for each other. Congratulations to the Medford Mustangs on their color guard win yesterday (my Italian niece Jackie is the instructor/coach -she did an awesome job). Thank goodness for FB to keep up with all that happens in life. We had tons of food and lots of story telling. Great way to spend a Sunday.
Thought you would like to know I have not napped at all, but did build in a couple of hours a day for down time. I have slept like a log at night and do wake up refreshed. So I'm hoping I'm getting stronger and my joints feel a little less stiff. Keeping my fingers crossed I'm headed in the right direction.
This past week I finished reading: "THE COLLECTOR" by Daniel Silva - spies, paintings, theft, murder. A very good book. Believe it or not I brought 7 books on this vacation and I have not finished one yet.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about (there are always more things about each day that are not listed here, but it's so interesting to google "whats important about ...) :
April 7
Caramel Popcorn Day – Most likely created by a popcorn maker or an e-card company.
International Beaver Day
National Beer Day
National Coffee Cake Day
No Housework Day
World Health Day
April 8
All is Ours Day
Draw a Picture of a Bird Day
Zoo Lover’s Day
April 9
International Be Kind to Lawyers Day – The second Tuesday in April
Name Yourself Day
National Library Workers Day – Tuesday of Library Week in April
Winston Churchill Day
April 10
Golfer’s Day
Bookmobile Day – The second Wednesday in April
National Farm Animals Day
National Siblings Day
Safety Pin Day
April 11
Barbershop Quartet Day
Eight Track Tape Day – do you remember those?
National Pet Day
National Submarine Day
April 12
Big Wind Day – this day blows me away!
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
International Day of Human Space Flight / Russian Cosmonaut Day
National Licorice Day
Walk on Your Wild Side Day
April 13
International Plant Appreciation Day
National Peach Cobbler Day
Scrabble Day
I am leaving it here for tonight. If you are in eclipse zone I hope you get to see it. I have to repack and get ready to change locations tomorrow. No worries I'll tell you about it next week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"IT TAKES COURAGE TO GROW UP AND BECOME WHO YOU REALLY ARE." - E. E. Cummings
"TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE, YOU MUST NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP. WE WILL FAIL WHEN WE FAIL TO TRY." - Rosa Parks