Sep

My time in Maine during June was again everything and more. Bonnie and I walked the beach, read, antiqued, ate lobster, drank champagne and I pulled together the last novel in the Plane Tree in Provence series. Weather was wonderful with highs in the 70s and 80s and nights in the 40s and 50s. Again we found new fantastic restaurants and sights to visit. We saw three plays, two at the Ogunquit Playhouse and one at the Portland Music Lyric theater. I cherish these trips as it is always a wonderful therapy experience.

The summer flew by with lots of good times with friends and of course the usual challenges. The year 2018 brought more crisis than ever but we survived and onward we go. No need to mention all the family squabbles or the ongoing trauma with health, as now fall as arrived and things are once again smooth.

This past month, I celebrated my 80th birthday and although I warned them not to do any surprises – it landed on deaf ears. They arranged for a surprise birthday dinner at Georges French Bistro with seventeen family members in attendance. Cousins, nieces and nephews along with my sister and broth-in-law came from Seattle, Washington, Texas, San Diego, California, Wichita, and Lawrence, KS to welcome me to the official Octogenarian Club. A wonderful time getting caught up with each other’s lives, feasting on French food, and toasting my longevity. I was blessed to note cell phones were absent except for photos during the celebration. More fun to communicate.

Now, the pre-holiday season is upon us. We are holiday-decorating-folks at my house, so let it begin.
Wishing you all a fantastic holiday season.