THIS 'N THAT

DEM APPLES

A week ago we were in western Virginia.  I was admiring this ten dollar box of Gala apples at a farmers market.  I asked the seller, "Are these fresh or last year's crop?"

"Fresh as they come," he answered adding, "I picked them this morning".   

 Mmmm they tasted like that too.   Stop by if you want to try one of the few we have left.

EMPTY NEST

My youngest child, Ian, went off to college two weeks ago.  He's doing fine in Tallahassee.

At last week's wedding one of my nieces asked with a smile, "Are you suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome?"

The question startled me.  I wanted to tell her I had gotten kicked out of my nest twelve years ago when my first wife filed for a divorce.   It took me years to build another one but it didn't really include kids.  

I don't think she wanted to hear that. 
  

I answered, "No, I'm okay". 

THE OTHER SIDE

Talking politics can be painful too.  I was at a party tonight and most of the people there were strangers.  A woman began talking about Florida's governor, one of the least-liked politicians in the country.

I  asked, "Did you vote for him?" and she answered, "Yes, and I'll vote for him again.   Romney too.  I worked hard for my money and I don't want to share it with anyone".

Maybe I live in a bubble but I had not heard a real person talking like this in years.  I guess there are millions like her but they don't have my ear.

The woman went on to add, "I don't have kids so I don't care about the future.  I really don't care about anyone but me".

Part of me wanted to slap her silly.  The better part had me quip, "I try to care for everyone", as I quickly walked away.

LET'S GO TO EUROPE!

      When my hungry family asked, "Why don't we go to a nice place to eat",  I suggested France.   They liked the idea so last month we jumped on jet.

  Miami's hilarious duo, Buzz and Kathy Fleishman, happened to be onboard too. Together we made our way to, and through,  the Paris airport.  Their comedy routines made the first leg anything but dull.

       

The family caught a bullet train to Brittany where our wonderful French friend, Brigitte, was spending the summer.  The crisp, cool, weather was nothing like the sweat lodge we had left.

 

The five of us piled into her Ford Fiesta and drove to Brigitte's medieval town,  Josselin. 

 

 
































It was Bastile (Independence) Day when the villagers' wardrobe steps back 800 years (but they've still got their 2012 glasses). 

  We got there late.  Straw strewn in the streets had already been trampled by jousters on horseback.  

     Not to worry.   There was still plenty of cider, wine, and beer so we chilled in the town square. As local musicians began to play we joined a circle of dancers.  

What fun, being independent in this new, exotic place.
Stay tuned as the adventure continues....

     

MAGIC HAT

   

           Last weekend my wife and I went north to Virginia to witness a truly wonderful wedding.  

We hunkered down in an ancient log cabin 

nestled high in the hills where Christmas trees grow.              

The rustic shelter came with a feather bed, rocking chairs, 

and a fine old hat that hung from the wall. 

  

Early next morning I slipped out for a walk.  As I headed up the stone path I heard a "swoosh", turned, and saw that old grey hat flying out the door! 

   

It hovered for a moment then gently set down on my head. 

 I figured, like the dog we'd left behind in Miami, it wanted to go for a walk too.

    

"Francesca!",  I cried to my sleeping wife, "You gotta come out and see this!"   Moments later she stumbled out and said, "That hat looks great.  Did you pick it out?".  "No!", I explained, "It picked me.

It's magic!".

     I wore it to that evening's festive affair, a "pig pickin'".   That's where you pick apart a roasted pig with your right hand while holding a beer in your left. 

 As I posed for this picture with brother Bruce the bride-to-be walked by and commented, "Nice hat!"

    

The darn thing must have had ears (and wings!) as it shot off my head and landed on Lauren's. 

 When Francesca said something similar it jumped to her head.

  
   

 

When Lauren's fiance, Vince, saw it and said, "I wish I had a hat like-" it bounced over to him before he could finish his sentence.

  Magic

This went on for hours.  Like a friendly dog, the magic hat visited all of the folks that you see below.

 The next day's wedding was perfect.  














Afterwards we partied










We posed.

But like the dog, we had to leave the hat at home.

Weddings have their own magic. 

     

__________________________________________________

I'd like to thank, 1) My niece Lauren, and her husband, Vince, for inviting us to their wedding (8-25-12), and,

2) Our friend, Mary Guynn, for letting us borrow her family's cabin and her father's magical hat.

SEEN IN SOUTH AMERICA

 We returned from Venezuela last month with our camera packed with pictures.  Here are a few more including
The Amazing Headless Accordion Player

 
The hotel Uncle Tomas designed in 1954.

 For bread fans that hate the crust

 Atop La Avila

Restaurant hand washing stand

Things can happen when you are stuck at an airport for thirteen hours.