Golden times

Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver, the other is gold.

That saying has real meaning for me tonight. My best friend from high school is visiting for the weekend. Barbara Bucknell and I even went to off to college in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, together. As she said tonight, she loved it and I hated it. Small town, really small, really strict school--and I was in love with a young man in Chicago. Barbara jumped in to the social life and loved it; I, being a bit shy, never did as well. We still have to have the discussion about what happened to our college roommates--I  remember the name of hers, but only the first name of mine!
Today Barbara is Barbara Bucknell Ashcraft, recently widowed, mother of five, grandmother of fourteen. She and a friend, Pam, came today from Jackson, Mississippi. Neither Barbara nor I are much on driving on the highway, so Pam is the angel that brought us together.
We picked up right where we left off. Barbara's beloved husband, Don, used to complain that all we ever talked about when we got together--there have been lots of visits over the years--was things that happened in the past. I hope he was listening tonight, because all we talked about was children and grandchildren. We really caught up on each other's families, although we semi-keep up all along. I think it's wonderful that our friendship has endured for over fifty years. I was in Barbara's wedding party, and she and her husband celebrated their 50th anniversary a couple of years ago. We have so many ties, so many common memories--and yes, those come out over a glass of wine too. Some funny, some nostalgic, all treasures.
Tonight was also my memoir class, a class where we've agreed what is said there goes no farther. But the class willingly invited Barbara and Pam to sit in. Pam faded midway through and excused herself, but Barbara stayed, participated in the comments, and said she enjoyed the whole thing immensely.

And of course guests give me a good chance to cook. Tonight it was black bean soup with feta and fesh cilantro--colorful and good. I had made some of Jacques Pepin's fromage fort (strong cheese) and I spread it on a portobello mushroom and broiled it, then cut it in small wedges. Great appetizer, if a bit garlicky.
All in all a lovely evening. I'm basking in a happy golden glow. I guess maybe it's all golden, because we are in our golden years. Who would ever have believed when we were going to church together as teenagers that we'd still have so much in common and be so compatible almost sixty years later. I'm tempted to quote one of my mom's favorite sayings: "The Lord works in mysterious ways!"

Zoo Day

Five and a half hours at the zoo--someone counting heads every minute. Five kids and five adults--good ratio. Picnic lunch on the grass (Lisa packs a good lunch!), a ride on the train, and the unusual sight of lions mating (Jordan kept trying to move the kids on before one asked; Lisa posted a picture on Facebook, but I won't!). The day was long but lots of fun, kids so excited, grandmother so tired:-)

The day went from one highlight to another--they all rushed out to a friend's farm to explode the big gingerbread house--I stayed behind partly because I'd walked enough for the day and partly to wait for an old family friend who was coming by for a drink. But everyone else arrived back happy about what a success the grand explosion was! Picture above was taken before the explosion.
Then dinner, defrosting tamales, heating fresh sauces, making margaritas, visiting. laughing about old times. Jason, our guest, was once Jordan's boyfriend and we were all fond of him--it was really good to see him again, looking older, wiser, and leaner, having taken up running.
Great Christmas holiday with much if not all my family--now home and to routine.

Vacationing--sort of

Here I am in Austin, staying with Megan and Brandon, Sawyer (almost 5) and Ford, 2. Yesterday Melinda and I had a jinxed trip down--got stopped cold by an accident ahead for 30-40 minutes, got lost twice (once on the same road where we'd gotten lost before). We were almost an hour late for the meeting. All went well though--except for some books that didn't arrive in time for an author signing--and I arrived at Megan's about five.
Both boys had had the throw-ups and went everywhere each carrying their own pot, even in the car. They made it through the night and seemed better this morning, but they clearly had cabin fever--lots of fighting, teasing and tears. Tonight they are much happier and seem fine. Megan has been home, so though I'm sorry the boys were sick, it did have a side benefit. Tomorrow I think she and I will go to lunch and do some other things.
Today I had lunch with a designer who is a longtime personal friend--we talked a little about our respective crafts but mostly we talked about feeding our grandchildren. We've know each other at least 25 years, and it's interesting to see the directions our lives have taken, now with both of us so involved with grandchildren.
Last night when I sat down at my computer I had 103 message, many of which could be read and discarded easily but several that required answers. Took me some of last night and all of this morning. As of midnight last night I am officially incommunicado with my office--until next Thursday. Taking my mandatory five consecutive days out of the office. I think I'll enjoy the time but of course there are some e-mails I itch to answer.
I came down here with great intentions of working on my novel, but so far I don't see it happening.