On Friday Nadine and I went back to our house in the Southern Tier, a different world. We attended the monthly "full moon" potluck dinner at "Tickletown" in Humphrey, hostessed as always by Lois Hilton. Special arrangements had to be made for Nadine at the potluck, so she could eat "untouched" food, and a friend graciously put some food aside for her. What a treat to see favorite "widely located" neighbors and sample conversations and homegrown summer produce. Nadine re-connected with her friends Holly and April, the three of them happily snapping photos (probably of each other) and clumping together. It used to be that whenever Nadine would announce "I'm ready to leave now", it meant that Holly and April had gone home. I made the usual rounds of visiting. We all duly and joyfully trooped outside to admire the rising moon with whoops and yells.
After Holly and April left, Nadine fell asleep on the couch.
The monthly event started about 5 years ago as a discussion group focusing on sustainability, bartering, and other community-minded "stuff"; the "full moon" timing came about because no one could agree on a day of the week. it evolved into monthly meals, socializing, and networking. People often are available for helping their "neighbors" or just plain company. There are times that I feel somewhat skill-less among these folks, whose skills and passions include beekeeping, cheesemaking, veggie-growing, horse-raising, carpentry, etc. Lately there's been an influx of babies and toddlers, which is a delight -- we saw few little ones three years ago. Although folks assure me my music has essential value, it's sometimes hard to consider it "useful" when juxtaposed to food and shelter. We once actually discussed this.
Over the week-end, I was determined to get ready to get the house cleaned out and de-cluttered; it's time to think strongly of selling it. Barry's work has moved to 30 miles away. Nadine and I will be in Rochester most of the time and after that she'll probably head to college. And I have all this "stuff" getting in the way.... "Stuff", or keeping track of it, has always gotten in the way, a personal nemesis and impeder of progress, social pleasures, and fun.
The last time I was down there (3 weeks ago), my friend Kim graciously came over and helped me get started --an impressive amount of clothing left for Freecycle. Kim smiled so much that it was even fun. I think I accomplished more in 2 hours with her than in days otherwise. This time, it was time to go through books and papers, yuck, just me and the junk. I was grumpy and slow, and finally forced myself to get in "gear" and actually made headway. There was so much of it, though!
Nadine attacked the mess in her room, uncovering so many sweet, beautiful things that she had collected over the years, sorting out what she wanted to pass on and what she wanted to keep. The enormous pink puff-puffy tutu I'd bought her for (around) her 8th birthday went, although she kept the tutu, also pink, that I had painstakingly, clumsily, but successfully made by hand. She said she's ready to let go of her room there and move on. I had told her that if she was attached to our keeping the house until she went to college, we'd do it.
Looking at all those "little girl" things, and photos, couldn't help but make me wistful, perhaps even more so because of her illness.
We went down the hill in Barry's Cabriolet convertible with the top down, and had dinner at a friend's Mexican restaurant.
I saw red leaves adorning trees already, and the nights were already cold. I don't like it happening this early. I realize that summer in Hinsdale is ending, as is the growing season. Rochester's somewhat longer (but not enough for me) growing season is a definite advantage.. I know I'm a "summer" person -- I never thought I'd ever end up in the North.
I've been told "never say never". I've also been told "Never means tomorrow". Hmmh... Did I say I'd never move to the North? Here I am.
Returning to Rochester was relatively hurried, as I wanted to get the house cleaned well, and also we were having lunch with Alice and her daughter Daphne, after which we'd also practice for the Irish Festival, which I was accompanying the "kids" for. i had thoroughly enjoyed baking cinnamon bread for the occasion. I had wanted to be able to prepare a full meal, but we ended up having Alice bring "noodle bowls" from a local take-out place (which were yummy), and I brought the cinnamon bread I'd baked. It was still a fun meal and a fun discussion.
After we went the Irish Festival repertoire, Alice and I improvised together on the stage of the performance room, she on the violin and me on the Steinway. I'd never improvised with a violinist -- Alice is superb and fun to improvise with, to my delight. I started with Latin rhythms and Alice suggested Hungarian styles, and we had "new age" and classical-style complete with harmonies and Alberti bass, delightfully flowing, yum.
Nadine was tired and lay on the couch after dinner.
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