This weekend brought us two significant events.
On Saturday we gathered with friends to say farewell to our dear friend Mavis.
On Sunday we traveled south to Vernonia, Oregon, a three hour drive each way, at the invitation of my sister Ilene, in order to meet her retired teacher friend, Kathy. Kathy and her husband Dan now live in Minnesota, but had just spent a week on the Oregon coast, and traveled to Vernonia for a day to catch up with old friends, including Ilene.
Kathy and Dan on the Oregon coast.
Ilene calls Kathy and me twins from different mothers. Through Ilene we are friends on Facebook, but had never actually met in person.
Now we have. Ilene was right, we are very much alike, and the connection was immediate. We spent several hours sharing stories of or lives, teaching experiences, and, yes, some of our common liberal political views. Ilene and Kathy had a chance to catch up with family news and who they knew when and where they are now. We discovered even more things in common. And Tom and Dan hit it off too, at least when they could get a word in. Tom is a retired elementary teacher and Dan is a former elementary school librarian.
After hugs and farewells, Kathy and Dan went off to their next visit and we went out to dinner with Ilene before beginning our drive back home. It was a trip well worth the making.
That sounds like a very fun little adventure. Nothing like meeting with kindred spirits.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been a very enjoyable visit.
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds great. It is fun to meet new friends.
ReplyDeleteI like seeing those quail trotting across your lawn. A nice touch. There is a Starling nesting across the street that calls like a Norther Bobwhite Quail from time to time.
I'm just reading a book that I want to make sure both of you know about - The Library Book by Susan Orlean. It may sound dry but it isn't - starts with the L.A. library fire during the Chernobyl disaster. Once you start reading it you will understand what a good read it is.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
It's wonderful that you and Tom both made a solid connection. Too bad they live so far away.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that Mavis will no longer be attending your Friday morning get togethers. What fun to meet new friends.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your loss of a friend, but how exhilarating to meet new ones.
ReplyDeleteI do love the way you mixed textures and sizes in your garden...I am the type of gardener that sees something they like at the store and then comes home and plops it down where there is a bit of bare space! NOT at all the way one should garden.
ReplyDeleteA sad time remembering one who has gone on to greener pastures but then again a fun time meeting friends and family. Circle of life I suppose.
ReplyDeleteYour yard is gorgeous.
At just the right angle and on a back road Mt. Baker looks like it is right behind the little Fir/Conway Church. Very cool indeed
MB
What fun to spend time with such lovely people. You had a day of sad losses and happy friendship. I guess that's the balance of life.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathy to you and all who loved Mavis. It is hard to lose good friends:(
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