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CaveMyotis of Zenith
Jun. 23rd, 2019 09:58 pmI missed posting this time for a positive reason: we were having a visit from my niece, the Former Naval Person, and her boyfriend, who might get a blog name if he sticks around long enough. We spent Wednesday and Thursday working so hard that I was too tired to post! Cleaning up the house, putting things away. I took advantage of the impetus to declutter a little bit, though not that much because a lot of it just involved moving things rather than actually disposing of them. I do have a pretty big box of things for Goodwill, though, including quite a few books. We weren't thinking only of the Former Naval Person. Tron and the Lumberjack will be here for a visit shortly as well, so it was a general cleanup for the benefit of all comers.
The guests were planning a cycling vacation in our area, and when we saw them at their last visit to Grandmother, we invited them to stay with us if they wanted to. I wasn't sure they would, because when you're on holiday with a date, you might not feel like staying with your auntie. However, they decided to accept. They drove to Chicago with their bikes, and then took the train here, arriving just before midnight on Thursday. We offered to pick them up, and put the bike rack on the car, but they stoutly insisted they would ride the bikes from the station to our house. That was before they met the hill that ascends from downtown . . . but they did get here eventually, slightly hot and out of breath. We served them water and a glass of wine and chatted with them before they were ready to go to bed. So we were up until 2 after an already tiring day. We just don't stay up that late any more, and it took its toll on the aged aunt and uncle!
In the morning, we served them a good breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and strawberries, and they went off to explore the town. I texted Dr. Nurse to see if they would like to come over for dinner, but she was out of town for a conference. It was a beautiful day, and we barbecued in the back yard for dinner. I spent a couple of hours in the afternoon making potato salad and a mushroom and onion quiche, flavored with bacon, for the morning. I made extra mushrooms and bacon to serve as a garnish for the steak and bratwurst the Sparrowhawk grilled. We also had sweet corn and green beans, and I harvested lettuce and parsley from my garden for the salad. I've known the Former Naval Person since she was a wee child, and we get along very well and have many topics of conversation and a strange sense of humor in common. The boyfriend appears thoughtful, nice, quirky and interesting, so the conversation was easy and pleasant. And it turns out that we all enjoy sitting around reading in the evening, while sharing a glass of wine and some Moon Landing Oreos.
On Saturday, we had quiche with toast and jam, and a few more strawberries, and once again the young 'uns went forth on adventures. They insisted they were going to take us out to dinner, and we were happy to go. They came home around four to freshen up, and we met Dr. Nurse (who had returned on the redeye) and Mr. Dr. Nurse at the tapas restaurant for tapas, paella, and sangria. Dr. and Mr. Nurse went off to the movies, and we drove our guests to our favorite bookstore, where we all browsed happily. I found a book about street magic for the Sparrowhawk, and I sat and read part of Braiding Sweetgrass,. I didn't buy it, because I have too many books already, but it's on my list of things I want to read soon. At home, we sat on the porch and read by the strung lights the Diva gave us until we got sleepy.
Today has been a bit of a jumble, because we had to get up at 5 am to get our guests to the train station by 6. We've tried taking various naps, but we're both off schedule and exhausted. It may take a couple of days to recover. It was worth it, though. It's fun, and revives the spirit, to be with young people who are cheerful and adventurous. Earlier this week, I found a letter written to my mother by one of her aunts when my mother was young, and it made me think sadly of how I miss all those old folks who used to be around. Everyone needs those elders who are generous, welcoming, and kind, and love you just because. It makes me feel better to think that I could be that for someone else.
The guests were planning a cycling vacation in our area, and when we saw them at their last visit to Grandmother, we invited them to stay with us if they wanted to. I wasn't sure they would, because when you're on holiday with a date, you might not feel like staying with your auntie. However, they decided to accept. They drove to Chicago with their bikes, and then took the train here, arriving just before midnight on Thursday. We offered to pick them up, and put the bike rack on the car, but they stoutly insisted they would ride the bikes from the station to our house. That was before they met the hill that ascends from downtown . . . but they did get here eventually, slightly hot and out of breath. We served them water and a glass of wine and chatted with them before they were ready to go to bed. So we were up until 2 after an already tiring day. We just don't stay up that late any more, and it took its toll on the aged aunt and uncle!
In the morning, we served them a good breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and strawberries, and they went off to explore the town. I texted Dr. Nurse to see if they would like to come over for dinner, but she was out of town for a conference. It was a beautiful day, and we barbecued in the back yard for dinner. I spent a couple of hours in the afternoon making potato salad and a mushroom and onion quiche, flavored with bacon, for the morning. I made extra mushrooms and bacon to serve as a garnish for the steak and bratwurst the Sparrowhawk grilled. We also had sweet corn and green beans, and I harvested lettuce and parsley from my garden for the salad. I've known the Former Naval Person since she was a wee child, and we get along very well and have many topics of conversation and a strange sense of humor in common. The boyfriend appears thoughtful, nice, quirky and interesting, so the conversation was easy and pleasant. And it turns out that we all enjoy sitting around reading in the evening, while sharing a glass of wine and some Moon Landing Oreos.
On Saturday, we had quiche with toast and jam, and a few more strawberries, and once again the young 'uns went forth on adventures. They insisted they were going to take us out to dinner, and we were happy to go. They came home around four to freshen up, and we met Dr. Nurse (who had returned on the redeye) and Mr. Dr. Nurse at the tapas restaurant for tapas, paella, and sangria. Dr. and Mr. Nurse went off to the movies, and we drove our guests to our favorite bookstore, where we all browsed happily. I found a book about street magic for the Sparrowhawk, and I sat and read part of Braiding Sweetgrass,. I didn't buy it, because I have too many books already, but it's on my list of things I want to read soon. At home, we sat on the porch and read by the strung lights the Diva gave us until we got sleepy.
Today has been a bit of a jumble, because we had to get up at 5 am to get our guests to the train station by 6. We've tried taking various naps, but we're both off schedule and exhausted. It may take a couple of days to recover. It was worth it, though. It's fun, and revives the spirit, to be with young people who are cheerful and adventurous. Earlier this week, I found a letter written to my mother by one of her aunts when my mother was young, and it made me think sadly of how I miss all those old folks who used to be around. Everyone needs those elders who are generous, welcoming, and kind, and love you just because. It makes me feel better to think that I could be that for someone else.
