FAMILY TRADITIONS AND GOODBYES

Megan and her friend Chelsea were lolling on the hammock which immediately brought to mind a family story that always makes me laugh. It was about 10 years ago, same event, just a different hammock and a different tree. Adopted daughters, Karen and Susie were lolling in the hammock. They had enjoyed a glass of wine or two and they began swinging in the hammock together and decided if they got it going fast enough, they could completely flip it over and they would remain in the hammock by centrifugal force. Right?

Of course the grape took advantage of their reasoning.  They both landed on the ground in a heap of giggles-unhurt. That around-the-moon effort had to be commemorated in a ritual photo.

It was hard to say goodbye, particularly to Karen who last made this event six years ago from Bristow,VA. Susie lives closer, in Paradise, CA, and never misses. Myself, Karen, Doug, Susie, and Susie’s beautiful daughters, Megan and Katrina.

Susie, Ken, Virginia and Karen lined up. When I took a picture of Kris saying goodbye, it was on video instead of still photo. I haven’t yet learned how to extract a still from video, but I will someday.

Everyone kind of hesitates, reluctant to say goodbye. It was a great party.

Yesterday, I mentioned that grandson Owen pulled a new record for jumps on the trampoline, he was at 249 at this point on his way to 368 double jumps, I believe: (Cannot get a video link into WordPress like I can my other blogs.)

FRONT ROYAL, VA. AND A FAMILY VISIT

From Mary’s Desk:

Front Royal has signs downtown for the Civil War Trail that leads to 10 points of interest during Stonewall Jackson’s Campaign in 1862. Plus there are two Civil War Museums to visit, the Belle Boyd Cottage and the Warren Rifles Confederate Museum.  Battlefields and cemeteries are all over the state of Virginia.
With one day to spend, it was my plan to concentrate on a family get-together with Glen and Karen Littlefield.

As it turned out, Front Royal was celebrating crafts and wine and I was celebrating seeing my “adopted” daughter, Karen, after a separation of six years. Glen, their daughter, Sherry Lynn, and granddaughter, pretty Penny, arrived in the new touring car, a Mini Cooper.

Grandpa patiently removed and adjusted the car seat for Penny, who adores her grandfather.

Downtown was mobbed;  the locals were having a good time. The food booths enticed us with crab cakes and chicken on a stick, but no one was hungry just then.

I loved these shirts but knew I’d never wear one.

The Get The Hell Up coffee gets to the point and made us chuckle.

There were games of chance and drawings and a couple of good bands playing music.

The sun was bright but two year old Penny was a trouper all day.

We repaired back to the Moose Club for a long lunch and played catch up with each others lives. The quilts we haven’t finished. The braided rugs we both made.  A dream coming true for them, working toward building a new log house on their lot. The joy of grandchildren. Looking forward to retirement and travel. And, all to soon, we had to say goodbye with regrets that we see the people we love not often enough. We took pictures. Karen and I,  with me squinting against the bright afternoon sun.

Sherry and her mom. Sherry’s sister, Kelly, was unable to make the trip with her two year old son, Adam. Having two so close in age is like babysitting twins, Karen quipped.

Jim took a group shot and then everyone piled into the Mini Cooper and returned to Bristow. For me, visiting with family eclipses everything.