August was a month of miles. Tuesday the 9th I took off with my friend Robin and the 4 boys that come with her. They're a riot, by the way. We drove by Ford SUV from New England to Tulsa, OK so they could have grandparent time. I really did have fun hanging out and talking with Robin in the truck, helping the boys get snacks, drinks, lunch, go swimming at hotel pools, switch dvd's, find Buzz, break up fights, play peek-a-boo, and generally be a big sister? auntie? something with them for four days in a row. Love them.
After a night's rest in Oklahoma, I snuck on a plane (standby) to Minneapolis to see my family. My cousin got me a discount and my dad ended up covering it, so it was a free flight for us! That'll beat the bus any day of the week.
So I arrived at MSP Friday the 12th and got a ride home from my dad. My dog actually barked at me; it was kinda funny. Then she just went nuts. It took over a week for the newest cat Klaus to get used to me. He's a pansy. My little Kitty almost jumped off the ground for a hug. Love that cat. Wish I could have brought her out here with me. She also spent every night but one on my bed with me. Sigh.
Here's a quick outline of everything I got to do with my family and friends:
Sat. evening service with all four of us at BBC, then supper at Matt's Bar, laughing with the amazing server, Renee, who keeps the entire place happy by herself.
Lots of relaxing on the farm, sitting on the deck, mowing lawns and helping do chores, cleaning up a garden.
Got to see my uncle Ivar and his partner Lynda; it was good to reconnect with them, been too long. They came out to help brainstorm a pond/fountain in the front yard.
Shopped goose-neck trailers with my parents and the dog for a couple days. Ended up in Rice, WI; they bought a trailer, I got a free *pink* hat. Then on the way back home we scoped out a hay rake and bought that too. We had to borrow a neighbor's Bobcat to unload the rake because it only fit on the trailer sideways. Glad to see that I can still work the iron. Such a useful skill!
Visited my old church and my old community group. Also got to go out to eat with the CG early on in my trip. Some friends are forever.
Horseback riding and team driving: brushing, saddling, harnessing, riding, driving. Miss that too.
Hung out with my brother just watching TV, commenting, clicking around, and laughing.
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| sheltered under a Norway pine |
Most importantly, I spent a few sweet hours at a very special place on the farm. Part of our heart is buried on a hilltop in Minnesota.
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| wild pansy |
Early on Tuesday the 23rd I flew back to Boston, and was trying to figure out which trains to take to get home when Craig called to say he got off work early enough to come get me. Two weeks apart: it was good to be home again.
