One Down (Halloween), Two to Go (Thanksgiving & Christmas)!

 

We're in late November, and we've had such beautiful weather. Today, I took my walk after walking Rosie and having breakfast, and I didn't even need a light jacket! Even so, growing up in NC, I remember Thanksgiving as being the harbinger of winter! In keeping with that, we are expecting a temperature drop from 70°F today to 53°F on Thanksgiving. 

I've really loved seeing the leaves change color, fall, and tumble along the ground with a gust of wind. This tree is in my backyard, and you can see the progression over a period of a few days. The photos of our main building were taken during the "golden hour," when the sky and light were just awe-inspiring. And the grapevines, lush and full in the summer, have gone bare again. I'm glad there are enough evergreen trees to keep the landscape from looking too bare.

I'm pleased to say that Halloween is behind us. Being a former teacher, I've had enough of that holiday to last me for a lifetime!  Even so, it was fun here, and I showed you the decoration contest by the staff, which was very creative. 

One morning, we had first-graders from a local school pay us a visit. We were seated along the hallway, and as they passed by, we filled their trick-or-treat bags with candy. They were cute and very excited about it all. Then on Halloween evening, the staff brought their kids by, and we did the same. It was great to meet the families and see their kids.

The staff also had a costume contest, and no expense was spared! It, too, was lots of fun. 

The highlight of the month was my trip to Bluffton. The reason for going was to pick up my Christmas decorations that have been stored in Chris's garage. I spent so much time socializing that at some point, I texted Chris and asked her to not let me forget to take my Christmas items!! I actually touched base with 20 friends over 3 days. It was non-stop fun and food.

We arrived around noontime and were staying with Maria, Mark, Felix, and Henry. We had just enough time to unpack the car and have a light lunch before heading to see Lynn and Tom in their new digs. Both Chris and Tom have November birthdays, so I ordered a birthday cake as a surprise. We had so much to catch up on, and it was great to see that they are liking their new place and settling in nicely. The worst part is over!! We gabbed over wine and red velvet cake.....it was very nice, and I hope Chris and Tom had a good birthday.

Tuesday was jam-packed. We began with lunch at Olive and Fig, where we received a warm welcome from Tammy. Chris, Maria, Mark, and I were joined by Rhonda and Melodie (John couldn't make it). It was lighthearted, and the conversation flowed. I have missed my longtime, liberal friends who are well-informed and can pick up where we left off without missing a beat!! I'm finding my people here, but it isn't like the oldtimers! It was a fun lunch, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

From there, I went to visit Tippy, who has been dealing with health issues. Kieran was out of town, but she was being well cared for by Florida friends. We didn't have nearly enough time (and I forgot to take a photo, and Tippy always reminded me when I forgot!) to catch up as I would have liked, but it was good to see for myself that she is improving and is encouraged.

Chris, David, and I had coordinated plans so I could visit when Drinking Liberally was meeting! Needless to say, I touched base with a lot of friends here - David, Bob and Julie, Sally, Kathy, Rhonda and Chris joined us again, and others. It was a fun evening. Rhonda and I hung back for a second glass of wine after everyone had left, and, lo and behold, Carol W stopped by! She was leaving the next day for her new digs in Vermont. That was a nice surprise. I didn't have time to talk to Sally about her trip to Antarctica or any upcoming plans. Bob and Julie had JUST returned from a trip to Africa with OAT, and we didn't have nearly enough time to compare notes. I know they enjoyed it as much as we did, and I hope to hear more about it. Just not enough time! Thanks to Chris and David for making this a fun evening.

Wednesday was supposed to be a quiet day! I wanted to treat Maria and Mark to lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant as a "thank you" for putting us up and for putting up with us!! Persis was a long-standing favorite when we were neighbors, and we were not disappointed. It was like old times! 

I have to mention that on our morning walks with the doggies, Mark was very tolerant as I rang doorbells of former neighbors and had quick visits! That's something I would not ordinarily do, but a short visit is better than no visit at all. Even so, there were many former neighbors I didn't see at all.....just not enough time.

As soon as we got back from lunch in Savannah, I headed to Chris's to pick up my Christmas items. Somehow, I thought I could fit everything in my car, but not so! I looked through and brought back those things I thought I might use, and will go back for the rest another time. There is no way I can use all of it (or even most of it!), so I'll have to get rid of a lot. I'm hoping they can use some of it here in the community. 

That evening, Maria and Mark invited Becky and Jim over, as well as Becky's sister Kathy, who missed a fun evening (and we missed her)! You know you're with your people when the conversation flows from personal to politics to philosophy to whatever, with lots of laughs sprinkled in between! It was a lovely evening and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a perfect end to a delightful visit. I am just so fortunate and thankful to have such wonderful friends that I reconnected with and appreciated over these few days.💕 Thank you one and all for making my visit so special.

Rosie and I came back on Thursday, partially unpacked the car, and collapsed! We had to be rested for J Lynne's going-away party on Friday afternoon. She is one of Rosie's favorite people (and mine!). Rosie checks on her every morning. While J Lynne pets Rosie, she and I chat. This also happens again in the afternoon. J Lynne is at the front desk and has a welcoming smile for everyone. That is one thing I remember from my first visit here. She is also kind and helpful to everyone she meets, and makes everyone feel welcome. That is a gift that not everyone has, and it isn't the same without her! There are fewer people about, reading the paper or a book, chatting, etc. She was the one who made everyone feel comfortable, and she will be missed by many, especially Rosie and me. 

I also reconnected, via technology, with another friend, Cheryl, whom I haven't seen in a while. She had recently been to Newberry, SC, which is not too far from me, and posted some wonderful photos of the town. It's also where I went for the No Kings protest, though I didn't see the scenic part of town. This past Sunday, a lunchmate, Anna, and I took off to see it, and it really is a charming town! They've done so much to maintain the beautiful buildings, and the Opera House is noted for the entertainment, which hopefully brings people and revenue to the town. The weather was nice for our visit, and it was a very pleasant morning. I've decided that Sunday mornings may be a nice time to do more exploring. Cheryl and I didn't connect when I was in town, but I hope our paths will cross again soon.

I'm going to wind this up so I can send it before the day is out. My neighbor two doors down, Miss Erna the Cat Lady, just stopped by and invited me to join her for a Laurens County Chorale concert in about an hour. I'm going ot rebuild myself, and join her for the concert. I'll come home, reread this post, and send it out, with my best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving for those celebrating.