A Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! We spent a leisurely day with Mark, Lori, Claire and the two Moms. We had the usual fare of turkey, ham, dressing, cranberry salad, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, applesauce and rolls. The meal was topped off with apple and pumpkin pie. The guys are taking the Moms home so Lori and I are working on a jigsaw puzzle and sipping on mulled cider. It's cold and rainy outside but warm and cozy inside. A perfect Thanksgiving!

Glory in the Skies

Got up this morning and was greeted by this beautiful sight

Roommate Reunion

l-r Deke, me, Linda, Barney

This past Monday, Deke emailed me to keep Friday evening open because he was taking me somewhere special for our Friday night date. No explanations. No hints. Nothing.

We both had a hectic Friday but I managed to get to the church by 3:30, and with only a couple of hitches with last minute administrative duties, we were on our way. We wound our way south/west out of Lafayette and saw country that neither of us had ever seen. The boy kept true to his word and uttered not a syllable to help me figure out our destination.

After 2 hours of flitting here and there on back country roads, we turned into "The Beef House," a rather famous eatery near Covington, IN. We had never been there so this was going to be a new culinary experience for the two of us.

We got out of the car and walked toward the front door. A rather distinguished man with graying hair was standing just inside, and as we approached, he opened the door and greeted us. I thought My this place is so friendly; the owner even greets the diners. When he ended his monologue by asking for a tip, I turned to really look at him and about fell over when I recognized Deke's old college roommate, Barney! The neatest thing about seeing Barney again was the realization that I was also to see his wife, my college roommate! Yep, 39 and 40 years ago, we had married our roommates' roommate! After hugging and trying to close my real-for-life gaping mouth, Linda appeared and we got to hug all over again.

We were seated in a rather remote section of the restaurant and proceeded to talk non-stop for 3 hours (the waitresses set us up in a private area after the first 2 hours). It really was as if we had never been apart. Linda and Barney (real name is Don Knotts) live in Sullivan, about 2 hours further south in IN. We hadn't seen them in at least 25 years. AND the downside of this whole wonderful reunion was that I didn't get a picture of the 4 of us!!! We were so intent on talking and laughing and catching up on our lives that I didn't get around to taking a picture even though I had my digital in my purse. Sad. Anyway, this is a scanned picture of us in 1969, taken in the guys' dump (apartment) on the night we had "foraged" a pitiful Christmas tree from the side of some country road. Ahhhh, memories.

One Last Hurrah

Couldn't resist taking one last picture of the gorgeous color of our pear trees. We have many other pear trees but these 3 capture the flavor of the truly magnificent fall we've had. When the leaves fall from these trees, winter will be upon us. Sigh.

All Things Red

Deke and I were putting the last of the container plants in the garage when I noticed the brilliant reds of some of the trees and bushes around the house. They are really pretty and add so much needed color in the late fall. We've had gorgeous days this past week with sunshine daily and temps in the 70's. Today, a front is moving through bringing rain and colder weather-not my cup of tea. But thought you'd enjoy this bright and cheery final fling of color before winter hits us.

Feeling Loved

I love it when he comes home with roses for no special reason. Actually, he said it was a belated birthday bouquet and a "just because." He said he likes to do it. He said he had no motivation other than wanting to make me happy. A woman is beautiful when she is loved.

I'm feeling quite ravishing these days.

Down in the Back

Well, we are recovering around here and both of us feel about 1000% better than we felt 10 days ago but we are still not completely healed. And, additionally, I did a stupid thing when I put Deke's mother's walker in our car and completely wrenched my back. My grandpa called my condition "stoved up." So I have been using muscle relaxers and heat pads, and things are improving.

Deke is now able to lift his arm above his head but it still hurts to lower it. Thankfully nothing is broken or pulled or damaged beyond repair. He has decided that he is going back to square 1 in the paragliding instruction manual. I doubt if he will try "flying" again this season.

So pray for these two poor souls. It ain't easy gettin' old. And flabby. And out of condition. And stupid.