Early October Joys

Here's the story / of a gal named Teri / who's been bringing up two very frisky boys
And it's the story/ of a Mom named Franny / who gives parties with a lot o' happy noise ....

Well, anyway: Sunday evening, two carloads of people arrived on our property: the first vehicle held Julie, Bryan and the kids, plus a whole load of food – which Magic Julie had procured for me when my car failed me on Saturday. The second car arrived shortly thereafter, bearing Joe, KB and Josh, as well as Kim – and the long-awaited Teri. "I want my Mommy!" cried this last child, as she ran into my arms.

A grand birthday party supper ensued, with (of course) more food than anyone could eat, lots of oohs and ahhs over the Redwood Cottage by those who had not seen it yet, and more exclamations of pleasure by everyone, since none had seen The Doghouse renovation as yet.

Although T was Tired, after a weekend of "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass" festing at Golden Gate Park, after our guests left we sat up and had herbal tea and talked for a couple of hours in the parlor; and then we sent her off to a stress-busting soak in the big tub, and to the Guest bed (sofa) for a good night's sleep.

Bright but not too early on Monday morning, Teri and John set off on a hike down to the village – to find out what could be done about the car; to have a coffee and bun at "Rainbow's End" and to pick up groceries for dinner at Johnnie's Super. While they were gone, I simmered a pot of homemade soup for lunch (we had good leftovers in our fridge and freezer); and after they returned and we supped, Teri and I repaired to the sunlit back deck.

Us girls had a wonderful, long, lazy almost-six-hour chat there, with a short break for tea and cookies ..... it was the best visit I've had with Daughter No. 1 in many, many years. Teri said no one who knows her will believe that she barely moved from the lounge chair during the whole long session. At one point she commented that perhaps she ought to stroll around our garden and ID some plants; but it never happened that day! John joined us at sunset, bringing out a lovely bottle of Cabernet that Julie had given us, and we chatted as we watched the moon rise, followed closely by Venus (that hussy!)

After a good fresh tomato/basil pasta supper, Teri was off for another bubble bath and early bedtime.

The next morning, our girl took another hike down to the village on her own, to get postcards and snoop around a bit; and then Julie came up in the early afternoon to collect her up. Us three girls went out for a quick lunch at "Jenna Sue's Dessert First" cafe in the village; and then my daughters went off to the seacoast. I hear tell that they had a lovely long walk on the beach at Seascape with the Drysdale Dogs late in that afternoon. And Teri caught her plane for home the next morning.

We miss her terribly; but her spirit now abides with us in this cottage, and will forever.

Our car has returned to us, with new distributor installed; we've had a quiet couple of days; and tomorrow noon, more guests arrive. October is our month for Open House; next week, my siblings will be at Merrybrook Lodge for three days of visiting in the redwoods; and the following weekend, our friends Sarah and Steve will be here to celebrate Sarah's 70th birthday. After that, I think we'll be into real beginning-of-winter, with the return of Standard Time and cooling temperatures and (we pray) lots of rain.