Simple Pleasures

Tonight I went to dinner with two friends, Carol and Jo, to celebrate their mutual birthday. We ate outside at a lovely restaurant near Hyde Park Square, an upscale community close to our homes. We shared a bottle of wine with dinner then strolled past the shops, window shopping as we headed for coffee. Once again we sat outside enjoying our coffee and desserts while we chatted for hours. It was the first day of summer and I will remember this solstice for quite awhile, knowing it will be among the best days of 2010.

Al & Tipper

I was so sad to hear that Al & Tipper Gore were separating. As many other people commented, they seemed like the perfect couple. I met them both in 1997 and they fit their descriptions to a tee. He was stiff and robotic and she was prettier in person and quite charming.

No one knows what can cause two people to grow apart but I hope for them, their children and grandchildren that they stay good friends nonetheless. It gives the rest of us hope, too.

The Gathering at the Breaks - Day One

Jim dropped me off at Roberta's house exactly at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 25th. Mary Ann was already there and packed so we were on our way in just a few minutes. Following the google map, we drove on one of the skinniest mountain roads I've ever seen and decided that on our way home we would look for a wider route.

We pulled into The Breaks exactly at noon, gave hugs all around for old friends and began to make new ones. Not able to check in until 1:00 p.m., we started the gathering off with a meet and greet for an hour then drove up to the set of rooms that had been hand picked for our group. The views were breathtaking. I will have to warn that it would not be comfortable for anyone with a fear of heights!

In the afternoon we had a workshop on songwriting, a delicious dinner at the Lodge restaurant and then a "swarp", the Appalachian equivalent of our ceilidhes.

Summerfair 1974

My ex-husband, Chris, posted baby photos of Chandra for her 37th birthday.

I wanted to post this photo in particular as it shows one of the last Summerfairs at Eden Park. It was an awesome "hippie" event back in the day.

It is now an upstanding and respected arts festival but for us, in the 70's, it was a "Happening". You knew all of your friends would be there taking in the great rock music and being part of thousands of interesting people roaming about.

For Cincinnati, it was the original "party in the park".

Mimi Weekend

I spent the last weekend in February at my daughter's home, taking care of her four children while she and her husband had a well deserved trip out of town.

Nick came over with me and joined Megan, Chase and Brody in the media room to play endless hours of video games and watch movies while little Kalee and I worked on one of my quilts. She was very attentive and loved my colored threads. When we weren't sewing, we watched the skating review and Kalee spun around the room, putting her arms in the air like the skaters.

Being a grandmother is a gift, just plain and simple, its a gift from God.

Sweeneys at the Covington Library

Our band, the Sweeneys, was honored to be asked back to perform at the Covington Library on Saturday, February 27th to kick off their St. Patrick's Day/March celebration.

We played an hour's worth of Irish and Scottish themed songs. We had a great time and loved seeing familiar faces in the audience.

The Sweeneys are Tim Kelly on bouzouki & guitar, me on vocals & guitar, Jim Hunt on bodhran and percussion and Peg Buchanan on fiddle. We have fun.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my 57th birthday. Wow, just like everyone else I know, I find it hard to believe that so many years have flown by. There are few complaints about the first 57th because I believe that we learn from mistakes and mishaps. I will continue to work at being the best that I can be and to try and pack in as much as possible in each moment the good Lord grants me. I appreciate all the good wishes and happy thoughts sent my way today.