In my previous post I had mentioned that my passport renewal was my priority. Once that process had begun it was time to relax and enjoy time with friends.

I enjoyed a beautiful morning at a wading pool with Rita and her kids and grandkids. I sure wish they’d have had places like this when my kids were little. A large slide, water guns and sprayers. For safety reasons they limit the number of people allowed in at one time. Lots of picnic tables and benches in the shade as well.

I had lunch with my son and his girlfriend and then it was off to his place to sort through some bins he has been storing for me. So far the family photo albums are still intact although he is threatening to dispose of those too. Other treasures I’d saved for my kids are apparently of no interest to them, such as outfits my mom had crocheted for them when I brought them home from the hospital after they were born. Really heartbreaking for me to part with these. But I can’t exactly drag them around three countries every year. Too cumbersome and too costly. So that was a stressful afternoon.

Sunday afternoon was cemetery visiting. Lise took me to Shaarey Zedek to see my parents. That’s one of the traditions we have when I come back to visit. Lise also goes there to visit even when I’m not here. Next we drove out to Fannystelle where her husband and her parents are buried. Lots of memories of another lifetime. When I lived in Oak Bluff I spent a lot of time on Highway 2 going out to Fannystelle. Koal was my constant companion back then and I can still picture him happily sitting in the front seat. He loved to go for car rides.

I had a video call with my granddaughter on Sunday. She told me about her adventures at the park and showed off somersaults. Madeline was playing with her leggo and showing me her bookshelf and other toys. We had quite the conversation. But the best is yet to come. I actually get to see her this coming weekend when we all go to Brandon to watch my daughter compete in regionals.

Yesterday afternoon we watched President Biden’s press conference with the Houston Astros. Rita’s son is the Director of Sport Medicine and Performance for the team and was right there in that room in The White House. Very exciting!

Yesterday Audrey and I got together for a long and leisurely dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. We caught up on our lives and our kids lives. We’ve known each other since my daughter and her son were in elementary school together. We’ve gone through divorces, illnesses and other life events over the decades.

And yes, I did get to Tim Horton’s for an ice cap and a boston cream donut. However Starbucks has you beat and the donut was not nearly as wonderful as I remember. But Tim’s is another tradition when I come back here.

And now on to week two.