Wednesday - May 27

 The rain held off till 4 today.....we've had almost 6" since we got here last Friday.   It was a fun day for us....Mark worked on the thermostats again and Brooke and I visited till she got ready to run errands and pick Blair up after school for gymnastics and a meeting.

Brady was off to play golf with a friend in Morganton.    Mark and I drove to Marion and met friends, Bev and Jim for lunch at Smokey Q's.   Oh what fun to catch up with these folks who we met in  August, 2018 in Brewerton, NY when they were starting their Erie Canal boat travels and we were finishing.    Then in October of  '18, we visited them in their lovely home in the mountains near Marion.   Wow....almost 8 years and they are just as fun and interesting as ever.    They also have a travel trailer and planning to spend 2 months out west this summer.

Bev and Jim

Stopped at Lowe's for some screws Mark needed (another project at Michael's) - he likes to keep busy while he's here and his boys manage that just fine!   😂

Brady and Grandpa did more with the thermostats - not the easiest job but these newer models are definitely more challenging.

Brooke made another yummy dinner - chicken in a wonderful sauce with pasta and fresh asparagus!    We watched the YouTube video of the 2026 commencement speech at University of North Carolina given by North Carolina native, singer and songwriter, Eric Church.    Mark and I had heard it a few weeks ago - it is phenomenal and highly recommend you watch and/or listen to it.

Michael, Brooke, Millie, Blair, Brady

Tuesday - May 26

 Today would've been Mark's Dad's 105th birthday!    What a guy!!!  67 years of marriage, 13 children, 38 grandchildren and 70+ (and still counting) great grands!!!

Heavy rain last night and a little off and on today and very humid.   

Annette, Maeve and I went to town - stopped at WaterBean for coffee/macarons and then Maeve and I got manicures at Nail Time.    Ran a few more errands, picked up Jimmy Johns for lunch and on home.

Pampering Maeve

Girl FUN

Mark and I got our stuff gathered and headed over to Michael and  Brooke's to settle in for the next week.    He worked on installing some new thermostats.    Brooke took Blair to gymnastics after school and ran some errands.

We went back to Philip's and I emptied the dishwasher in the carriage house and put towels in dryer.    And then good bye hugs and more pics

Sibling love

Luke, Annette, Maeve, Philip

Blair started packing for our trip to Port Clinton next weekend.   Brooke made spaghetti and meatballs/sausage, caesar salad and breadsticks for dinner.    Sat around and visited and got the scoop of what's ahead the next few days.

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