Scene on Vacation
Aug 4th, 2006 by aBhantiarna Solas

The view from of the lake our 6th floor hotel room … when we checked in last night.

We began with a jaunt down to camp, to drop off the extras that we don’t need for the weekend and to say hello to the LightParents (and give my mother her much belated Mother’s Day gift – I didn’t want to ship it). To my delight, my two friends on either side are here and will be here for the duration of our stay. We reconnected briefly with promises of more and longer conversations on one another’s porches later on. Such is the vibe of camp. We watch our children grow in delight and amazement, all the while supporting each other along the way. It is a unique and nourishing community.

Somewhat later, I had what was possibly the best lunch of my entire life. It consisted of curried chicken salad with cranberry chutney and roasted cashews. We ate on the patio of Pauline’s. LightHusband was worried it was the luncheon spot for old ladies. It was. We looked around … all older ladies lunching in twos. In any case, I savored every single bite of that lunch. Every one. I didn’t even mind that my lemonade was powdered.

Then we walked around Church Street in Burlington and had coffee served to us ala Shakespeare at Uncommon Grounds (with apple pie). Then we walked and shopped and looked and daydreamed. Mostly we people watched. The people here are … um … interesting. Very few shop at the same store. One might wear anything (and I do mean that quite literally) one wishes.

A leisurely two hour dinner at a sidewalk bistro … pan seared scallops, if you please with a pint of microbrewed, unfiltered India Pale Ale. Why yes, this is the life to which I am accustomed. Our seats allowed for a fine mix of people watching and conversation. The perfect end to a lovely day.

Scene on the Road
Aug 4th, 2006 by aBhantiarna Solas

Bumpersticker: Not One Millionaire Left Behind

Lots of vanity plates including this one: HCKYMAN surrounded by a Capitals plate holder.

Large sign spanning all lanes just before the Delaware Memorial Bridge reminding us that we can call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline if we need to. Fear everyone, trust no one. I cannot abide this. I will not participate in this national campaign of fear.

Gas prices holding steady, even on the Jersey Turnpike, at $3.03 for regular. Interestingly enough, Exxon-Mobil’s profits are rising by ever larger proportions. Who knew that profitting on war and death could be so easy? Pirates are popular these days.

Blues and jazz being played at McDonald’s on the Garden State Parkway. I was almost knocked over with a feather.

Going, Going, …
Aug 3rd, 2006 by aBhantiarna Solas

… gone! Well. We’re off. Today we leave for our vacation. Sunday we pick up the LightChildren + OneFriend and head for camp.

The house is pretty clean. We relaxed some here and got ready on our own time. This was fairly novel. I really enjoyed it.

This morning I checked the weather, as I sipped my coffee. For last few of you not convinced that global warming isn’t happening, WeatherUnderground read like a Monty Python skit this morning. For some reason, I just couldn’t stop laughing. In the North Atlantic, (my pet) Tropical Storm Chris. In the Pacific, Tropical Depression Faabbbio. Temperature – 73 … humidity 94%. The air is nine and half months pregnant with water; the molecular miniscus cannot hold.

It’s supposed to be cooler and dryer in Vermont; I hope so. My sewing is packed. My books are packed. My clothes. LightHusband has his fishing and photography equipment to document our adventure. So … we’re on our way. Here’s a photo of the quilt top I finished and sent out to be quilted yesterday. My big accomplishment before leaving.

Things to Celebrate
Aug 1st, 2006 by aBhantiarna Solas

Friends who can finally relax because they are recognized for doing well in their jobs.

Friends who are bringing new babies into the world.

Friends who have finally brought their babies home for awhile.

Wonderful women who write, create and express the beauty of God for the rest of us. And especially the Holly who did the remarkable work of pulling it all together. My copy came in the mail yesterday on a day when I was feeling like I just could not possibly put one foot in front of the other one more time. Then the mailman put Effloresce in my hands and I realized I could.

Being on vacation in my own house. Anticipating vacation in New England and seeing the LightChildren again. I’m beginning to miss those two rascals.

My parents and LightHusband’s parents who have graciously taken their grandchilren for a week so that we could have two weeks alone.

Good banana yogurt smoothies for breakfast.

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