7/27/2015

Weekly Update 7/27/2015

The anticipated trip to Rochester began on Monday. My flight wasn't until 12:45 pm, so I had plenty of time to get to the airport and check in. Both the flight to Charlotte, NC and then on to Rochester were uneventful, although the second one was delayed about an hour. I picked up the terrible rental car - a Toyota Yaris (who even knows that they make cars without cruise control?) that was already banged up. Whatever. I went to Ishy's where she had held dinner until I arrived. My brother Dave and sister-in-law Kerry, and Brian were there. 

Kerry, Dave (visiting from Kansas City), me, Ishy

I stayed Monday night at Ishy's, and spent the day with the Kansas City folks, including a drive to Avon to Tom Wahl's for a burger and a root beer float. But in the evening, I left to go to Marcia and Andy's Lloyd's house for a few days with them, and to try to give Ishy a little break from being full-time hotelier. I made a quick stop to visit one of my mother's friends for just a few minutes; it was good to see her.

you gotta understand, our family name is Wahl, but this Tom Wahl is no relation. Too Bad - good burgers and fries

 

I wasn't with Marcia for much of the time on Wednesday. I met a group of friends that I'd traveled with when I went to Europe on the trips I'd taken a long time ago. Then I visited Mabel & Vicki in the afternoon. And met Deb Wait at the Cheesecake factory for supper. 

 

Thursday, I had the great pleasure of spending time with Marcia’s terrific grandkids, Maddie & Zack. They are adorable and a lot of fun. Then Marcia took me to the Webster Arboretum to see some trees and flowers. It's a wonderful little park-like place that is used for things like weddings, or high school senior photos, or for a place for plantings as a memorial. I was a little confused by the dolphin fountain, as that would seem more appropriate to Savannah than up north where there are no dolphins. We had lunch at a diner in downtown Webster, and then went back to her house. I swam in the her pool, and it was a lot more refreshing than the warm water I swim in at the condo. Dinner that night was a grand steak dinner, cooked on the grill to perfection. And then we went to a concert in downtown Fairport. The music was big band era, and I was sorely disappointed that I didn't hear one Johnny Mercer song!

Maddie, Marcia and Zack

at the Webster Arboretum

enjoying good big band songs at the concert

I had thought there was a garage sale being held at The Friendly Home, which is the facility where my mother lived. The sale was to benefit Alzheimer’s research, so I thought I could stop by and buy a paperback book or something to support that cause. Unfortunately, I got the day wrong, so I had extra time to leisurely drive around some well remembered sights around Rochester. I picked Kathy up at City Hall and we went to meet another friend whom I used to work with, Roberta, who is retired. The three of us had a nice lunch and I got all caught up on the gossip around the old hell hole. Since my rental car was costing more than the flight, I took it back that afternoon to save some money. I figured for the next few days, while I was staying with Ishy, we'd be going to the same places together, so I didn't need a car. 

 

Saturday was busy, but instead for meeting old friends, we just toured around. Ishy and I went to a “pioneers and leaders” tour at Mt Hope Cemetery, which was interesting. Then we went to the garage sale that I'd missed the day before. After that we went to the Rochester Museum and Science Center because I had read they had a special exhibit featuring new technology during the Civil War - the telegraph, photography, railroads, repeating rifles, etc. Well, the whole “exhibit” was as big as a closet, and there wasn't much to learn. The museum has changed tremendously since we would occasionally go there on a Sunday afternoon when we were little. In the olden days, you learn by looking a dioramas (some are still there and haven't changed at all) and reading the accompanying text. Now, its' all hands-on, and you can make your own invention or create an architectural masterpiece, or watch yourself deliver the weather on TV. Gone are the days of just looking and reading. By the time we finished there, we were famished, and I suggested going to Abbott for a hot fudge sundae. I've been wanting one of those for a long time. Unlike the Civil War technology exhibit, the frozen custard did not disappoint. And then we were off to Brian's house to visit for a short time before going out to supper. We listened to Sarah play her piano, and I got to see how Emily has all her gymnastics trophies and medals displayed. We played a game back at their house after supper, and I didn't do well, but (like pretty much all the games I play) I didn't care.

Sarah at her piano

Emily's closet - no clothes, but lots of trophies and medals

out for supper - Ishy, Sharon, Sarah, Brian, Emily

 

Sunday, Allen must have driven most of the night, because when we woke up in the morning, he was sleeping on Ishy's couch. It was good to see him. Ishy finished making the five pounds of macaroni salad that she needed for the graduation picnic. Knowing what a help I am in a kitchen, I just took a walk around her neighborhood and left the two chefs to do the work. The graduation was that afternoon. It was nice to see some people I haven't seen in quite a while, especially the Flynns. Rachel had just returned from Paris, so I enjoyed hearing about her trip. On the way back to Ishy's after the picnic, we stopped and bought some grapefruit flavored vodka. Bad idea. Because I was so glad to be going home the next day, and to have the graduation behind me, I really overdid it. I don't think I've been that inebriated since college, but I sure was sick. Poor Ishy and Allen! 

Sarah and Grannie

 

And then it was Monday. I met Marcia and another friend Donna for breakfast with Ishy and Allen, but my head was pounding, and I wasn't very good company. Vice President Joe Biden was in Rochester to make some announcement which made me want to get to the airport extra early in case traffic was detoured, or if security was even tighter than normal and my toothpaste and all other toiletries would be weighed and measured before I'd be allowed to pass through. But there was no crowd, no hassle. By 5 pm, I was on the flight to Charlotte, and then on to Savannah. My little car was waiting for me patiently in the airport parking lot, and I was back to my condo just before 11. 

 

SO GOOD TO BE HOME!!!