Back From NY

Well, we're back to the land of heat & humidity! We left last Thursday for upstate NY to spend time with John's family and attend a couple of happenings. First the yucky.....TRAFFIC! In all of my life I have never seen traffic on I95 like it was coming back...both north & southbound lanes. There, I'm done!

We arrived mid afternoon on Thursday....unpacked at John's brother, Vic's. He & Betty had dinner waiting and Grandma Harriet came over to join us. The next morning, John used Vic's car to tool about visiting old friends and golfing while Al & I took the van and drove about. We had breakfast in Groton; drove to Freeville to see where Grace used to work and visit a small Christian commune there; then drove up the finger lake 50 miles to Willard, NY. It was there that we sneeked onto the grounds of the old abandoned state hospital where Rita Romaine, John's mother passed away. Al has turned into an incredible photographer, so she took some great photos. She has always felt a special connection with her grandmother even though they never met.

On the way back down the other side of the lake, we stopped in Seneca Falls for some coffee & street music. We drove thru miles and miles of Amish country.

We arrived back at Vic's just in time to get cleaned up for a family cookout at Val's (Al's cousin)....it was only two doors down from where we were staying. The top photos are of some of the family there. It was so much fun to reconnect with everyone. As the sun went down, we had a fire and roasted marshmellows....the kids ran around while we sat by the fire and sipped wine. It was a terrific evening.

The next day, the three of us went down to Joe & Amy's restaurant for lunch. John met up with a couple that he knew years ago at Elim Bible College.....Saied & Esther Adour. It was a quick lunch. John went home to nap and Al & I hit a couple of antique shops.

Then, we headed to a place about 5 miles away called THE CASCADES. About 15 of John's old high school classmates from the Class of 55 - Moravia Central School had gathered for dinner & conversation. John enjoyed it immensely and it was fun for Al & I to watch!

We are back in VA now. Al signed her lease yesterday, so she moves in with Jillian & Elle to their historic home in Richmond on September 1st. Alicia is running a children's camp out at Camp Kehukee this week so Tuesday tonight I plan to go out and enjoy the evening entertainment.

Mr. Lilley (Paige's father -in-law, Grover's dad) passed away while we were gone. Al & I hope to attend the funeral on Wednesday. John's newest great grandbaby was born last week....Isabella "Bell" Corrine Leone.

We are rejuvinated, yet it's hard to go back to the grind and the pitter patter of workcamp loose ends!