so glad to be home

My sister Lynn and Lil' B... 10 July 2009. The bracelet was Jay's, but Lil' B LOVED IT!!

I cannot tell you! Not that we didn't have a good time, it was really fabulous to see family, friends, be away from this life for a few days. Yet coming back felt so good, even though I was pretty drowsy for the second half. I drove as far as I-505, then Bob took the wheel, the late Sunday afternoon traffic slow through Fairfield, as it usually is, but as my head bobbed up and down, eyes only peeking occasionally, we arrived back in Silicon Valley, and all three of us were thrilled to be back.

Bob and me, waiting for a burger... 10 July 2009 photo by Thea (If you enlarge this pic, there's a great quote from Babe Ruth behind our heads.)

We used to travel for a month at a time, coming to the States, seeing family all over. From Florida to the Midwest, then to California, leaving our abode for three or four weeks, but I was younger then. Younger, more pliable. Not as set in my habits, or at least not writing. Then, I wasn't writing, that only beginning right before we returned. At my reunion I chatted with a gal whose daughter is 13 and writes a storm. I scribbled NANOWRIMO.org on a piece of paper, and we both assumed her daughter knew about NANO. Funny to think that's only been a part of my life since October of 2006. Not even three years, but oh how much can change in that time, over the years, in fifteen, how long it had been since seeing some of my high school classmates. Most of them, and those chats were good too, especially in how most hadn't changed, not really.

C.J. and his mum, both taking it easy.... 11 July 2009

As this same friend noted, we've all seen good and bad, and EVERYONE is in their forties. The last I attended was back in 1994, still in my twenties, and what a change has occurred. Now nearly everyone has kids, or shares some parental responsibility. I talked extensively with a few that during those old days I never say two words too, and no one was haughty or arrogant, only enjoying hearing where you lived, what you did. Conversations were short, but hugs were many, laughter copious. Bob and I left after I'd chatted with just about all I needed to see, then we debriefed over frozen yogurt and ice cream, before seeing the kids one more time that night. All three were at Thea and Bud's flat, and Jay missed us, was glad she was coming home with mummy and daddy.

In a year's time, that won't be the case.

At Lynn's; from left, Bob, Lil' B and her mum, (my sis Janeen) and our brother Patrick... 11 July 2009

Before that event came the family reunion, that even more meaningful. Arranged after the high school bash had been sorted, and it was the highlight. Friday night we had dinner with my folks, my sisters in attendance, and Lil' B is walking, talking up a storm! Time does fly, and on Saturday morning we all met for breakfast, my brother and his family in tow. C.J. slept through most of breakfast, but was a bit cranky for the family picture. His mum is the photographer, and even with a fussy baby, it was a great shot, the first we'd all done, including the kids. A setting of generations, bound by blood and love, unshakable.

My sisters Janeen and Lynn and me... 10 July 2009 photo by Bob

Then food, time in the pool at my sister Lynn's house, her husband's family coming round too. When Bob and I left to prepare for the high school reunion, I was so happy to have seen my most loved all together, time with family such a precious commodity...

The girls and I get ready to go... somewhere! photo by Bob, 10 July 2009

Now, Monday, the work is done, a chapter written, the flow of this book so far not as lyrical as the prequel. not until today's work, and I'll sort that out later. Over the weekend, I did get some plotting done, while Bob slept. The mattress was firm, another reason we're glad to be home. I have more plotting to sort, but it felt good to at least get something accomplished, not just surfing the web. I had plenty of fun over the weekend, a little work was necessary. Home leaves of the past had nothing to do with writing, but now it's become such a habit, so much of ME, that I missed the notion of writing. Today's work felt good; I needed the break, but just as much had to return, get back to the story, the act of setting thoughts to even virtual paper.

Lil' B and her daddy after time in the pool, which she also loved! 11 July 2009

And so, that was my hols. Short, sweet, packed a punch. Now, it's a Monday, and the bed needs to be changed, Jay's day sorted, a bagel to consume. Back on the horse, and it feels so good....