Memorial Day - 2026

 

Remembering our veterans who gave their lives for our freedom....

THANK  YOU !

When we were in Black Mountain yesterday, we drove past the veterans cemetery which was very large and every single gravesite had a flag flying beside it.    Very sobering sight.

Maeve came over this morning with some kringle for our breakfast and a coffee for grandma!   Later we went for a walk (Annette, Luke, Maeve and me) - heavy rain around 11 last night with nasty thunder and lightning.    Very wet and humid to start the day. 

Crafty Maeve made this potholder for Grandma

The walkers

Mark worked on various projects for Philip at "our" carriage house.    We cleaned up some leftovers for lunch + Annette's delicious minestrone soup as we leave tomorrow and Wednesday for them.

The kiddos and friends went tubing in the afternoon - sky was threatening but they had fun before the next batch of rain.    We even had little spurts of sunshine!

Captain Philip

 Max, Maeve, Ivy

Luke and Maeve

Went to Ryan and Erin's for drinks and several yummy appetizers.    Fun catching up with them.   Philip, Annette and Maeve joined us later.

Ryan, Erin and "Karen"

The rain started again as we left their home.    We went to Philip and Annette's and played 3-handed euchre (Mark, Philip and me) which I won and then 4 handed - Philip and Annette beat Mark and me 2 of 3 games.

The rain is coming down fast and furious!    Nighty night!

Sunday - May 24

 The day started with rain!!!    Mark and I drove to Black Mountain for coffee/pastries at Dripolator (a favorite).   It was very busy this Sunday morning.    Then we drove around Givens Highland Farms where we plan to settle someday - continuous care facility.    All looks good there.....no clue when this will happen as we're still enjoying being nomads!

Onto Swannanoa for 11:00 Mass at St. Margaret Mary.    Small friendly church that was packed and our 3rd time to attend Mass here,   Big news that the Charlotte diocese will ordain 10 new priests next weekend.

Back to Lake James - changed clothes and off to the camp - met Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve there,    Lots of kid activities and big crowd - the rain finally let up.    The kiddos especially Maeve loved the rock climbing.    Luke does this with his adventure core group,

Maeve all the way to the top and rang the bell (several times)

Maeve and Luke "on the move"   

Michael, Brady and Ryan were also there......good times with our kids friends and yummy lunch.

Had a good chat with Anne - she sounds great and will be back to work on Tuesday and sees the surgeon on Friday.

Played some rousing games of euchre with Philip and Annette!

 

Saturday - May 23

Rain, rain, so much rain!     Nice leisurely morning in our carriage house and then later went to Philip's - Annette and I beat the guys in euchre    Mark is working on some projects for Philip (indoor).

Played more euchre with yummy food,    Also watched the golf tournament from McKinney, Texas where our friends Paul and Kathy were in attendance.

Two deer at entrance to Philip and Annette's driveway

Friday - May 22

 Anne had her reconstructive surgery this morning with Dr. Su at the Springfield Clinic and all went well.   She cannot use the phone (no screen time) for 2 days.    Not sure of other restrictions.    She returns next Friday.

Another rainy day and very wet Memorial Day weekend coming  - we left the hotel at 9, stopped at Starbucks and the heavens really opened up.    The barista at Starbucks (in Target) said that the store opens at 8, but folks were lined up outside in the rain since 3 AM for the new Pokemon cards!!!!

We stopped in Morganton at WalMart for a Rx, then dropped off stuff at Brooke's, onto Ryan's and finally arrived at Philip's.     Their friends, Darrell and Colleen, their daughter and boyfriend were all there and offered to help us carry all our stuff upstairs to the carriage house where we'll hang out the next 4 nights.   Much appreciated!!!

Annette, Luke and Maeve arrived - 1/2 day of school and they are now finished and onto 5th and 8th grades!!!   How can that be?    We had fried chicken, baked beans, watermelon and sushi (not a sushi fan but this was really good) for lunch.    Later, played a game of euchre which we girls won!

We were off to dinner at Habaneros with Bob and Judy (Brooke's parents), Michael, Brooke and Brady.  

Brady, Michael, Brooke, Bob, Judy, Pat, Mark

  And then to Blair's dance recital at COMMA in Morganton (large auditorium) and it was awesome with many many girls on stage from age 4 to 6 seniors in high school and 1 little boy.   Ballet, jazz, hip hop and lyrical.   The costumes, music and talent were top notch.

The star of the evening

Blair

Philip, Annette, Ryan and Erin went to an outdoor wedding and reception.   Weather is nasty.     We played one more game of euchre when we all got home - Mark and I beat Philip and Annette and then we sat around and visited as the rain came down.

Nighty night!   

Thursday - May 21

 We left Superior at 7:40, stopped at Coffee Express (1 of 2 favorite coffee shops in Port Clinton).    Got our coffee fix and on our way.     We shared the driving in the morning and no issues with traffic or weather.    Stopped in Kenna, WV for lunch at "Your Family Restaurant" which was very good and cheap!    I had a delicious grilled cheese and ham sandwich for $4.

I drove thru some rain before lunch but afterwards, it was really heavy and for most of the afternoon, downright ugly.

We met Davis for dinner at "Camel City BBQ Factory" in Winston-Salem.   It was in a very old tobacco building - great food (the BBQ and their hushpuppies which were long and skinny instead of the usual round ball shape) and we sure enjoyed our visit.  He loves being a homeowner.   Davis and 6 college buddies are hanging out on the beach this holiday weekend and he had a 3+ hour drive ahead of him.

Davis

There was some very funky lighting in this place!

We drove to our hotel and got to our room - but the app on our phone wouldn't work, so Mark went downstairs and clerk gave him 2 key cards but they didn't work either - frustrating.    The clerk finally came up to our room with a special card to get us in and apologized as the ladies across the hall couldn't get into their room either which made for 5 times today, this happened.    She was beyond not happy!

104 miles to Lake James!