2012 Teeth Reunion, Virginia Beach

Yes, we did it again, this time got the Hookes and the Christophers back in the loop, first time since 2000.  And, I even brought my husband--yes, California Kevin is still kicking, first time for him since 2000 too.  We rented the same house as last year, and it is always a pleasure to be with old friends--for me, they are always the best friends.  So easy to be with!  We had a week on the beach in 95 degree heat, but there is always the ocean to cool off.  We missed Jeri Lynn and Brian this year, but they were with us in spirit, and Rocco showed up after the picture was taken.  And thanks to the Fletchers for always welcoming us to their home for July 4th as part of the celebration of friendship.

How about this baby!

This is Juliette Kessler.  Isn't she a love?  She is my tenth great niece, daughter of Aubrey and Noah Kessler, granddaughter of the Booper.  She is four months old in this picture, but she lives in Florida, and I have yet to meet her, although we have Skyped.  She is so full of life!  She is a wonderful reminder of how innocent we are when we are brought into this world.  May she retain that innocence and be surrounded by love.

Sea Ranch 2011

I rave about my annual sojourn to Sea Ranch every year. It's beauty, isolation, peacefulness. But I think it is really my brother Terry that makes it special. We know each other so well that it is easy to be together and enjoy the same things. We instinctively know when to be quiet, to exercise, give each other space, cook, watch sports or movies, what food we like, our favorite trails. He is my brother, but he is also a best friend and I learn from him. Without saying anything directly, he helps to keep me on a spiritual path, to be thoughtful of others, and to put life in perspective. So, yes, my week at Sea Ranch this year was heavenly, again --beautiful days and surroundings, good food, great walks and swims -- but it is really Terry that makes the experience so beautiful, and I am forever grateful for his presence in my life.

Joan McGovern

Joan McGovern passed away this week. I visited her in September when I was in White Plains. I knew it would be the last time I would see her. She seemed half way to heaven at the time--neither with me, nor with God, but thinking about it. She was probably still thinking about all things she still wanted to do. Kate Riley was with me. Phil and Joannie were taking care of her, then Kevin and Mary came by. I was struck by how much love she exuded and drew to her and how many thousands of lives she touched so deeply. Certainly mine. She always made me feel welcomed in her presence, would come and join us for dinner when I visited town, cared about my family and my son. Her love was endless. Joan, in her later years, could be a little crusty at times, but you always knew where she stood, and I liked that. I liked everything about her. And what a family. I was Terry's age, so he was my key bond, but I love them all. Christmas and Thanksgiving nights at the McGoverns was always an event, so much laughter and love. But I loved the quiet times the best, if there could ever be a quiet time in a McGovern house. Sitting at the kitchen table, talking about whatever. She and Dodie were like second mothers to me, and I always felt I could tell them anything. I miss them both but I am better for having known and loved them.

The Teeth 2011 Reunion

The annual sojourn to Virgina Beach continued this year. As I watch the impact of Hurricane Irene, I am reminded of the great week we shared over the 4th of July this year. Bruce and Kathy, Tom and Sue, Brian and Jeri Lynn, Denise and Mike, Neil, Ralph, and me, as well as the children and grandchildren. We rented a house this year two blocks from the Lonergan's and half a block from the ocean. Great time. We are content sitting on the beach, body surfing or boogie boarding, bike riding, and just catching up with each other. Bruce remarried, Tom retired, Denise and Mike joining us for the first time. Kevin, please come back! Meals came together miraculously. Stories told. LOL. There is no friendship like an old friendship, and I am ever so grateful for those days in the 60s and 70s when we came together and built a bond that has lasted for decades.

November in San Francisco and Sea Ranch

Back in sunny CA and off to San Francisco where Betty Ann and her hubby Tom McGreevy were visiting with Terry. I took them out to Pt. Reyes, one of my favorite places in Marin County. It was socked in with fog, but that didn't stop us and Tom made the climb down to the lighthouse (and back up). Terry's college roommate, Frank Koch, an MD at Stanford, came up and took us all out to dinner at North Beach restaurant, my fav. Yum! Then Terry and I took off to Sea Ranch, my favorite place on the earth, for our annual sojourn to the Northern California coastline, 110 miles north of San Francisco. The day of my birthday, the weather was just perfect, and I can't think of a better setting to celebrate, especially when I have Terry by my side. Terry came down a few weeks later and celebrated Thanksgiving with me and the Kevins. It's been a great ride, a great year of connecting with those that have meant so much to me over the years.

For those of you I have yet to see, may our paths cross soon. Thank you for making my 60 years such an adventure...love is all you need, right?!

October in North Carolina

A conference in North Carolina allowed me to take 2 weekends and visit the Flemings, Nugents, and Maureen's children and grandchildren. What a time! It was beautiful fall weather. A quick stop in Charlotte for dinner with Neil and breakfast with his kids, and then off to The Cliffs in western North Carolina where Teri and Chick built their new home in the side of a mountain--a golf haven, and a view of Greenville that goes forever. I got to spend some time with Teri and her daughter Suzanne who now lives in Greenville and catch up on what's been going on over the past few years. So great to see them again, and a reminder of how much Teri makes me laugh. Off to the conference in Durham which gave me a chance to take my great nephew Charlie to dinner. Charlie is now at NC State, and I was pleased to find conversation with him easy and we got to connect as adults, and I enjoy that transformation of our relationship. I spent a night with Kelly and Chris and their clan in Stonesville--a beautiful home that Chris built himself, making it all the better. I caught Reese's play at his high school (watch out Johnny Depp!), and Silas's lacrosse game before heading to Kathy's who graciously hosted a dinner so I could see everyone else. Lisa Zappolo drove up from So Carolina to spend the afternoon with us, and it was wonderful to connect with everyone. I learned that the Avis grandchildren do not know much about the Irish or their heritage, which sent me on a mission to give them more information about the Harts and the Ryans. Terry interviewed by father on Christmas Day, 1981, and Dad talked about his grandfather, born in Tipperary, and the rest of his family, plus all the years he spent living in a dozen different places in NY before settling in White Plains. So all the grandchildren got a CD of the interview and a family tree--hopefully, it will send them to Ireland one of these days to learn about who they are and where they came from.

Westchester in August

Work brought me back to White Plains, and after learning that my hotel was infested with bedbugs, I gladly took Mark and Karen's offer to stay with them in Armonk. I had a wonderful visit with them and their daughter Nikki (great artist!), just talking, eating and laughing. I got to spend time with Byron and Janet Cartozian, Tara Sherlock, Kate Riley, Mario and Carolyn Bruni, Tom and Sue Richter, Joan and Phil McGovern during the few days I was there. Closed out the time with dinner and pizza at Francesco's--it hasn't changed a bit since our days (and nights) there in the 70s. I took a cruise around the 'hood, and 19 Herbert is still standing, much the same as it was when I grew up there. I still call NY "home" as it is where I feel the most comfortable and the most loved. Miss you all!

Colorado in July

The year wouldn't be complete without a visit to Snowmass and Carbondale in Colorado. Spent a few days with Patty and Ginger, the ever gracious hosts, enjoyed their company and sunrises and dinner in the backyard with Mt. Sopris in the backround. Terry was at the monastery in Snowmass for the summer, and we had a couple of nice afternoons in Balsalt and Aspen. Nothing quite like the Colorado mountains in the summer, and a wonderful time to connect with dear friends and family.

Rocco, Bruce, Tom, Attila, Neil, Sue, Janie

The Teeth

The year is almost up, so I must get busy recounting the year of turning 60 journey. July 4 brought The Teeth together in Virgina Beach, and we had the return of the long lost Attila and Rocco. Brian Lynch is now a newlywed, and wonderful woman, Jeri Lynn from Canada is now his partner living in MA. Rocco, aka Ralph Martinelli, showed up in costume with a pizza delivery and had us all in stitches. So good to see them again, as well as Neil, the Richters, and JB's new bride, Kathy. A great weekend, great friends, great stories, and countless laughs. There is no friend like an old friend

Memorializing Friendship

Today is Terry McGovern's 60th birthday.  We met in kindergarten at St. Bernard's in White Plains, spent the next 9 years together, and our friendship just continued to grow each year.  Remember those double desks with two people on each side, and a spot to store your books in the middle?  Terry and I shared a desk in 8th grade, and it was a challenge to keep a straight face and hold in the laughter as we lampooned the simplest of things that happen in a small classroom of ~50 quasi-students.  What's all this talk about class size reduction?  I don't remember a class in grade school that had less than 50 kids, the more the merrier, and the more people to get in trouble with.  55 years later, we are still friends, still sharing our stories, still laughing.  Thanks, Terry, for bringing your chaotic clan into my life and an expanding world of friendship with the Cartozians, Grillos, Carletons, VanBenthuysens, etc. You are a constant bright spot in my life as the journey continues. 

Bandon, Oregon

The photos that follow are in reverse order, newest to oldest, of our 10+ day oddessy through Northern California to the Southwest coast of Oregon.  K1 and I drove, and K2 flew to No. Bend to meet us.  It was a very special week and we lucked out with the weather--it was rainy constantly for weeks in Oregon, but we got many days of sunshine and 50 degree weather, which was fine with us.  The house was amazing, on 10 acres of land in the woods, no neighbors in sight, sitting on a bluff overlooking the ocean.  We couldn't have asked for much more.  I thought I would do a lot more hiking on the trails in the area, but found the golf courses to be so pretty and I preferred walking the courses with the boys for the company and the amazing scenery.  It was so relaxing, and I just took the time to do nothing that I didn't want to.  Read. Stared at the ocean.  Cooked.  Saw sights I had never seen before.  We all had a great time, and a great memory to keep with us.  A wonderful remembrance for the year of turning 60.

...and the trail ends in the Redwood Forest...

The sun sets on the Bandon house

What form! From the point of the Bandon house

The Master and The House in Bandon

K2 at Bandon Dunes Golf Course

Sunset from the house in Bandon

Father and Son at Pacific Dunes