New England 6

April 2025 

Went over to Queensbury, NY to see Rich’s sister, Eileen, and Steve. Had a nice visit and delicious pastries with them - soon after, the doorbell rang and in comes Ken, a college buddy of Rich’s back in the day. They hadn’t seen each other in over 40 years! Rich used to give him rides to and from college. So how did this miracle occur? Eileen and Steve go to a weekly breakfast with friends and Ken is one of them. He actually lives on the road behind them.

From there we drove to S. Glens Falls to Perry’s house where all of the family was gathering. It was great to see the whole gang together and break bread with them. We had a lot of catching up to do. 

 

My son, Randy and Kristie, and the girls treated us to dinner before they leave on vacation to Myrtle Beach. Both kids will be gone for Easter this year as school vacation starts then. Usually we aren’t here for Easter, but it is late this year. I enjoyed singing back home with the choir during the Easter season. 

 

After we got the camper all cleaned out and spiffied up, we started the project of physical inventory of Rich’s art for the Farmers’ Market. We are signed up for the whole season this year as we will leaving for wintering in Florida later than usual. 

HAPPY EASTER 

After singing in the choir at church, we had a delicious rack of lamb for two. Unusually quiet day. 

Rich’s grandson, Kegan, is soon to be a first time daddy, so we went to the Elk’s in Queensbury for a baby shower with food prepared by the Colomb family - Perry’s make-your-own pulled pork sandwiches (pickles, coleslaw, bbq sauce, onions), Kegan’s baked Mac 'n Cheese, Nora’s real-deal artichoke dip with baguettes, Tracy’s peanut butter cup bars, Erich’s cheese cakes (chocolate and raspberry) - yum!

Mother-to-be, Cassidy, and Kegan, were overwhelmed with gifts given by 40 women AND several of the men folk attended. 

The happy expectant couple - Kegan and Cassidy 

Great Grampa’s card…

This is the blanket I crocheted and added a little hat to the mix. 

I have been keeping up with walking and Duolingo daily. Weighing in once a week and staying in a positive direction for the most part...

 

Past work friends (Tony, Pat, and Kim) continue to get together quarterly and I was happy to be there in person this time. Tony was recently named Chief Operating Officer of nearby award-winning Fairview Hospital after a nation-wide search. Consequently, he moved from South Hadley to Berkshire County acquiring a 3700 sq. ft. home in Becket, near Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (less than 10 miles from me) and offered to be our host  this time. He purchased this sprawling upward structure from the original owners who sold to take over a deceased family member’s home in Lee. They built this 3 story structure 35 years ago and never had children or pets, so it is pristine. It sits 1500 feet above sea level with gorgeous views from the countless windows throughout the house. It is very isolated and offers an astrological sky much like a planetarium. If anyone attends a soire there, they can enjoy alcoholic beverages knowing there is likely a bed to spare. 

Miss Macy had her 2nd leg surgery - happy to report, all went well. 

Terri & Jim arrived from Tucson as a semi-surprise for Mom’s 95th belated birthday party! We were waiting for everyone to be back home to celebrate. They stayed at sister Cindy’s so they could visit her husband, Jimmy, in the Hospice Care facility. He has been sick for a while and it was as if he too was waiting for everyone to come home before leaving this world. Rich & I had taken Mom to see him last week. Soon after his family and Terri & Jim visited today, he let go. Cindy has been by his side every step of the way and being a nurse, she was prepared for the worst. Now we will celebrate his life as well. RIP mighty Marine, James Herlihy (1943-2025). 

A toast to Jimmy💔