What a weekend!

Brunch at Carshons'

The cottage is strangely quietand empty. Sophie and I had long naps, and I know she is disappointed that allher favorite people disappeared. But such a great weekend we had with family,friends, fun, music, laughter, and maybe just a bit of wine … okay more than abit.

The family met at Joe T.’s fordinner Friday night—some worried about the heat but we didn’t eat until eight o’clock,and between the fans and a nice breeze, it was a lovely night to sit on thepatio. We came home, sat around the cottage, talking—the teenagers left us, ofcourse—and about eleven-thirty I kicked them all out. Next day I learned that someof them stayed up until three, and Jordan and Jamie were up until four-thirty, listeningto his guitar, talking, laughing.

This weekend was an eatingmarathon, as we went to all the kids’ favorite places. Saturday lunch found usat Carshon’s Deli, where the kids have been eating since they were infants. Maryaccommodated twelve of us—grandson Kegan loves matzo ball soup, and Jamieordered that too. For my kids, it’s mostly a chance to have food they never getanywhere else. I had lox and cream cheese but no bagel—toasted rye for me.

Saturday night, a very fewclose friends joined us for happy hour and then we had poor boy sandwiches andcake—lots of cake, several cakes, a plethora of cake. When Jamie wentMegam
home thismorning he took with him leftover Joe T.’s plus one and a half cakes plus twoGerman pancakes he stopped and got at Ol’ South. I was afraid he’d be on asugar high by the time he got to Frisco. I admit that Saturday night I crashed,and I said to Jamie and Megan I thought I suddenly felt my age. But I think itwas more that I hadn’t slept well the night before, it was a tiring if happy day, and westarted happy hour at four. Even though I had tiny bits of wine, I think myglass was refilled too often.

After a good night’s sleep, Iwas fine this morning and ready for a trip to Ol’ South, next on the kids list.Once again twelve of us, and lots of memories.

In other things than food,Colin did some repairs around the house—pronounced myColin and Soiphie
automatic garbage candead, and I have ordered a new one. He replaced the handle/lock mechanism on mybathroom door and promised to do a better job next time. To me, it works anddoesn’t fall off the door, as it had been doing, so that was fine. He also didsome computer work and paired my new phone to my watch. Christian hadpreviously paired it to the telephone, so now I’m all set to go. Jamie, asalways, did a lot for me, including feeding Sophie and giving her insulin shots.And Megan and I had long talks about everything, especially restaurants andfood. I am so fortunate that my kids are my best friends—and have such a closerelationship with each other. Sometimes I think Norman Rockefeller should comeback to life and paint a picture of us. I guess the snaps from Joe T.’s andCarshon’s will have to do.

I am so grateful to Jordan whoorchestrated the entire weekend, planning food, making lists,Jordan and the cakes
putting out ahappy hour spread followed by sandwich makings. She had everything undercontrol and is the reason we all had such a good time. Christian helped so muchand took lots of pictures on Saturday night. I am chagrined when I look atthem, because I look bored, tired, whatever—I was none of those things. Ienjoyed every minute. (I once had a dear friend who said it was too bad I didn’tlook as good in pictures as I do in real life—I cling to that thought.) Meganworried at dinner Friday night that I was in the middle of the table, betweentwo conversations and part of neither. She needn’t have worried. I like justseeing them all together.

And those teenagers. Onefriend, who has known my family forty years, said each of the teens stopped tospeak to her. So grateful for their good manners. They are wildly different,but all good kids, and their joy at seeing each other was evident. Okay, theyeventually looked bored at dinner Friday night, so Jamie and Brandon, looking a bit cynical
Granddaughter Eden and
the flowers she brought me

much so we wanted to laugh.But they are a delight.