Category: Family & Friends

Monday was a day that found me feeling a bit nostalgic. I was thinking about my brother and sister and growing up, the youngest in my family, on Cape Cod.

We lived a 5 minute walk from the beach and each sunny day in the summer we would walk down to the beach with my mother, her beach chair, a cooler/picnic and my mother’s book. Mom would sit and read her books, and my sister would watch me, making sure I did not try to swim to Martha’s Vineyard. My brother would swim as well, although he didn’t really want to do too much with his baby sister. (I was younger than him by 7 years.)

I loved the beach. I loved the smell of the salt water, the warm sand beneath my feet and the sun on my face. My cousins would come, usually in August and then we would all go to the beach. This was even better because Janet was there, and she and I played in a world, all our own!

Mom loved the beach so much. As did Janet’s parent’s, my Aunt Betty and Uncle George. In fact my Uncle George taught me to dive, and swim distances and most importantly, what to do if I got tired in the water…float.

Uncle George was also sort of my Hero.

You see, one day I was playing at the edge of the surf, when I stepped down and had one of my toes nearly cut off! I stood there crying watching the blood flow! My Uncle picked me up, wrapped a towel around my foot and carried me home, then drove me to the emergency room where I had 4 stitches to sew my toe back on.

The picture below was taken when I was five years old. That is my late brother, Dickie, my sister, Melodie and the  scrawny little thing at the end is me.

I’m feeling very nostalgic because in 2 weeks, Janet and I will be going back to Cape Cod for my High School Reunion. Hubby is staying home, to care for the dogs, and once again it will be Janet and me going all over town, remembering…

I woke up feeling pretty bad again with the sinus problem. During breakfast I mentioned this to Hubby, and since we found this lesion on his stomach over the weekend, I called our doctor, and we both went in to see him together.

Yes, I still have the sinus infection. He has prescribed 2 weeks of a different antibiotic and a nasal mist. On the bright side, my blood pressure is back to normal and my weight…terrific!

Hubby had his lesion removed and it has been sent off for a biopsy. Our doctor was reassuring, but I have had a bad feeling about that thing for a while, and I am so glad Hubby has finally gone in and had it removed.

Now, a little more about Sunday. I cannot even begin to tell you how special the day was. Seeing my cousins and my sister and brother in-law was great! We sat around the dinner table sharing memories and joking and I felt instantly at home with them all.

It’s an off thing. We do not always get together, but when we do, it’s like we just saw each other the day before. My cousin’s daughter has three wonderful children, whom I found delightful. The eldest has a European Hedgehog named Olivia!

Olivia really likes peanut-butter.

The men did the grilling!

And I got a little carried away with dessert!

I told everyone that we must do this again very soon. I’m thinking that we should maybe rent a beach house in Falmouth for a week or something and anyone that could come, could come!

This year, Janet and I are going and I know we will enjoy going to our old haunts.

I thank my sister and my cousin Janet for the pictures.

1. Summer’s here-whoohoo! What’s your favorite sight, sound, AND smell associated with summer?

Sight: My growing garden.

Sound: The children playing at the beach in front of my house. Just think of all those giggles.

Smell: Anything being grilled on a charcoal grill. I am such a foodie!.

2. Fireflies or lightning bugs…what are they called in your neck of the woods?

Actually they call them both, but I guess fireflies is what I tend to use, when I refer to them.

3. What is something from the past week that reminded you of your childhood?

My little community just got done hosting Motorcycle Week here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. I grew up on Cape Cod and summers always meant crowds. So the past week with all the crowds makes me think of growing up in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

4. Define ‘the good life’.

I suppose not having to worry about bills, the laundry, and having the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Wait! I did that when I was about 13! LOL!

5. Tell us what we’d see if you took a snapshot of your desk/work space?

Right now that space is a work in progress. It’s terribly messy, but I hope by Sunday to have the office finally finished and clean!

6. Peaches or watermelon…yes, you have to choose.

Since we have our own peach trees I will say…Peaches!

7. Ever been skinny dippin’? Is that too much for the Wednesday Hodgepodge? Rest assured we won’t need details…unless of course you feel you must but remember, this is a family friendly blog so keep it G rated.

When Hubby and I lived in Florida, we had our own pool, that was caged in and was very private. On a really hot night I would slip out and take a dip! So, yes, I have skinny dipped!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today is my favorite cousin’s birthday! Go on over and wish Janet a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday, Jan! Love you!!!!!

I think there are times in our lives when we are reminded with a swift kick to our gut, about what is really important.

Last Tuesday my friend, Carol was operated on to have her knee replaced. Heck, Hubby has had it done, and a few of our friends. So when she went in, I sort of knew what to expect.

On Wednesday morning I went to see her, arriving about the time that they were reviving her from the brink of death!

I prayed so hard that she would be well, and it was several hours until her husband called me to let me know that she was okay…finally…but it had been a close call. As tears fell down my cheeks, I thanked God!

It seems she had that one in a million deadly reaction to the anesthesia she had been given. The kind where you go to sleep but don’t wake up! You know, I have heard about it before, but never known anyone who had such a problem, until now.

The other thing I learned was just how deep my feelings are for this dear friend. She is like a sister to me and I love her.

Friday I was able to go into see her at the hospital, and she is doing so much better. Her color is good and she was getting out later in the day. I sat there with Carol and her sister, and shared some time. Then another friend arrived, so I left, because I didn’t want to tire her.

The bottom line here is that all of this has reminded me how important our friends are in our lives. Like our family, these dear people hold a place in our hearts that no one else can fill. I am so thankful for Carol’s recovery!