We Are Back

Bill, Turlough, and I returned from our eleven-day
trek to New Jersey last week. It’s been about a year and a half since we sold
our home in NJ and moved to Florida. I was hesitant to take the trip because we
were bringing our fifteen-month puppy Turlough with us. And, as I’ve posted
about before, Bill is no longer able to drive. Most of all, I didn’t think I’d
be able to handle my emotions; I miss NJ so much. But in the end, I rented a
mini-van, we packed up, and set out.

And, I’m glad we did. The first stop on the trip was a
few days stay with my Mom in South Jersey. From there, we drove north to our
old neighborhood and visited with friends. I got to sit in on the Mahwah
writing collective group meeting and visit my former town library. We even
stopped at our former vet’s office to show off our Schipperke.

We spent a wonderful day in Blairstown, NJ. We had
lunch at the Blairstown Airport Runway Café. Bill and I used to fly our Cessna
172 there for years. We met up with Christine Beegle and Wickliffe Kishpaugh
Mott. These two folks lead the Blairstown NJ Historic Preservation Committee.
They helped us transition many of Bill’s family artifacts to Blairstown when we
moved.

From there we went to Kutztown Pennsylvania. I had coffee
and a happy visit with three people that I cherish: Leslie, Stacey, and
Danielle.

Then it was on to the Colonial Schipperke Club picnic
in Arlington, Virginia. There might have been thirty Schipperkes there. Turlough
had a great time. How do I know? Like any kid who overindulged a party, he
threw up his carrot in the car later that day.

Finally, it was back home here to Florida. I’m grateful to be home and that we were fortunate enough to take this trip.

Now, it’s back to work making edits to Death at Ashford Castle.

[image error]Pleasant surprise at my Mom’s one morning. [image error]The 1850’s grandfather clock that was a wedding present to Bill’s great, great grandmother. [image error]Colonial Schipperke Club Picnic