Last installment of ''My Fantastic Road Trip Adventure'

The next day was planned by Bob & Carol who live in a grand Southern home in Norfolk, Va. I admired Bob's American Indian collection( his mom was Indian) and beautiful photos. They treated Cousin Barbara & I to a delicious lunch @ the Officers Club: cold cucumber soup, tuna salad with fruit: figs & watermelon, my faves...and after that an afternoon @ Norfolk Botanical Gardens which was a heavenly treat. We took the tram ride around the gardens and partook of the beauty. I surely got my flower fix as we smelled the sweet fragrances of the different varieties.. Just being in that environment was uplifting. On our return home cousin Shirley was back from her Doc appt. and we had a chance to visit. Later Barbara & I enjoyed watching 'So You Think You Can Dance' as we both love dance...and so ended another perfect day. 

And next day it was time to begin my journey home. I left @ 9am and enjoyed a leisurely trip to the Lorton station of the Auto Train. There was one construction slowdown that didn't amout to much or bother me at all especially after all the smooth tree lined roadways I had traveled. I arrived early at the station as I like to do  and signed in trying to get a solo seat but found out they were filled to capacity. Que sera. A few facts about the auto train: it travels 855 miles and is the longest train in the U.S. It holds 486 passengers and 201 vehicles. It has 5 passenger cars and 20 auto carriers full capacity.. This trip was mostlt college kids retuning to school with parents to help them set up. Dinnertime found me sitting with 2 of those moms and a 19 year old student, John.One of my favorite topics arose : Dreams...and talking in your sleep and sleepwalking. We all agreed it was a stimulating conversation. I used some of the downtime before bedtime to brainstorm and write about what's next?creating the next chapter of my life. And then it came-bedtime...: to sleep or not to sleep that is the question. I did a bit of both, I'd say 50-50. At breakfast that consensus was unanimous. 'Our arrival in Sanford will be about 45 minutes late' which won't affect me as I have only to sail home to Home Sweet Home.in Gulfport. There was great excitement as we pulled into the station @ Sanford > People were anxious to get to their final destination in Fl. college students going tpo their new school.

My Fantastic Road Trip Adventure installment #8

We had an appointment to visit Sharon, one of the girlies who could not join us on Saturday, her grandchild's birthday...which always takes precedence :-) Suzi & I had a 1:30 date with Sharon. Bob Crook, Gabrielle's widower was coming in at 4pm from Richmond to see me and I was having dinner with Trish at 6:30...Miss Popularity! I was definitely in demand :-)

I hadn't yet seen Sharon's beautiful waterfront home on the Chesapeake Bay which was said to be fabulous & met all expectations.. Suzi invited Mom along for the ride to join in the girlie fun. Sharon was one of my friends who suffered a terrible tragedy the past year, her adult son who lived with her died suddenly. My friend Sally suffered a similar tragedy losing her 60 year old daughter to cancer.I'm sure there is no more terrible loss in the world. Words fail me. Sharon was going well ,all things considered and we had a good visit. Next on my list was my visit with Bob. Of course we talked & talked

​ about Gabrielle and tried to puzzle out her passing. One year later Bob was still confused, trying to make sense of the events. I gifted him with my memoir'How I Arrived Here' and urged him to write his story as a healing tool. And then off I went to meet Trish. She & I were in singing (Joyful Noise) & performing groups (Cat's Meow) together when I lived in Va. Bch. We reminisced about old times, caught up currently and shared our goals.It was so good to see her. I felt her warmth.

Next morning I left Va. Bch. & headed to Portsmouth for a few days visit with my cousins, the Starcks. I hadn't visited them in 4 years. In the meantime, they had downsized from a big mansion on the river to a mid-sized historic home in Old Towne. It was just as elegant and charming as the former home & out of the flood zone. This house was beautiful & like an art gallery filled with art & artifacts galore. It was a visual delight. Cousin Barbara is one of my favorite people and we had good conversation about buddhism​, racism ( the Fergeson shooting had just happened) and other topics of interest.

She gathered together her siblings for a lovely dinner the first evening and I got to visit with each & every one. Of course a movie was on the agenda as we all just love the movies and we saw the James Brown flick and marveled at the star's portrayal of him.Afterwards we met cousin Rosie for Japanese food, a favorite of us all. I basked in the joy of being with my cousins, my peers.

My Fantastic Road Trip Adventure ...installment #7

Sunday was my big book signing event. Suzi was my manager for the day.We arrived at Unity at the appointed hour 9:30 am.I was introduced to the bookstore lady who helped me set up my table. Then Suzi & I went in the chapel for a few moments of quiet meditation & after that I joined the prayer circle before the service.The service was uplifting and thrilling, I was introduced to the community as requested. After the service they had set up another table for me in the narthex to sign books. Friend Trish came over and bought the first book and made a date to have dinner with me that evening.Many of the folks I had known there were not in attendance this particular Sunday...it was August after all.Lesson One-don't do a book tour in Aug.

It was hot dog Sunday @ church which means...free hot dogs for ALL! So Suzi and I enjoyed a delicious hot dog. An old friend Maureen came by to say Hi & invited me to the Unity Women's group who were meeting @ her home that afternoon for a pool party.Unfortunately I had other commitments.Then Jane the musical director of the choir I used to sing in came over to greet me warmly & we had a photo op. A couple of more people bought books . I was surprised that the people I thought would buy books didn't and the people I didn't expect to did. Go figure! It was a learning experience anyway and great to see some old friends.My 3 minutes of fame over, Suzi helped me pack up and we were off to the next event.All in a day's work.

My Fantastic Road Trip Adventure 6th installment

Thank you Universe again for ALL your support. We arrived @ the house & I met her mother,a delightful, funny lady in her 80's. You can be sure I slept like a log that night...9 straight hours with no potty break, a record. Next AM we had an appointment at the ARE for a tour with the CEO Kevin Tedeschi @ 10am. It had been 13 years since I visited the ARE. Kevin sent his apologies but we were given the tour by the head of the massage school and the education dept.. We were shown around  'behind the scenes'...which was fascinating. I was very impressed by the prison program, inmates would write and request literature and it was sent out to them. I booked my massage afterwards and smilingly went to my appointment. I had been dreaming of this on my long drive- it kept me going. And yes, it lived up to my every expectation...ARE massages are the best!I was in bliss.

Suzi and I eagerly awaited our date with the Abraham girlies on Saturday. I hadn't seen them in many a year as well. It was divine...we lunched at an oceanfront restaurant and chatted and caught up and laughed for hours. We were so happy & delighted to see each other. Sally asked if we could meet next day @ the ARE...I had my book signing @ Unity then so we couldn't. Let's go right now I said. We did & spent several more hours marveling at the beautiful makeover they gave the place. We sat high on a hill overlooking the ocean and just enjoyed the company of one another, what a blessing! Sunday AM my book signing was on tap...more will be revealed...

'My Fantastic Road Trip Adventure' Installment #5

I was quite relieved to leave that doggie although I was glad to have seen my niece.

Next day I was treated to the sight of many birds hovering around the bird feeder and a hummingbird drinking it's special brew.Tom had captured on film a great bear drinking from it, what a sight! Glad I missed it. I did see goldfinches and doves & rabbits and a squirrel sunning itself on the rocks...what a sight! Ain't nature grand! YES! It never ceases to delight. As a special treat Tom offered to give me a ride in his red Miata convertable...which I thoroughly enjoyed. He was so kind to show me the way where I would catch the highway next day.Tell me the street names I requested...they don't have names ,so don't bother. OK.Guess we're really in the country now.Regina offered to do some laundry for me which was such a blessing on my journey. That evening two more of their kids, Jimmy & Tommy came over to visit and say Hey to 'Auntie'.BTW did I say Regina & Tom have been married 55 years? Just sayin'.

​ I was delighted seeing what fine people the boys became, remembering them as little tykes.. It was a joyous occasion. Finally it was time to depart and Tom graciously led me to the highway sensing my anxiety. I get by with a little help from my friends ;-) I had the longest haul of the trip so far, on paper 9 hours...in reality...more will be revealed...

I was traveling from northern Ma. to southernmost Va. Both brother Tom & cousin Tom offered easier routes for me and I took their help thankfully. (Guys are so good at this) The trip went pretty smoothly which was something I was affirming all along and listening to chan ting music to keep me centered & focused. Things were going pretty well when I spotted a sign for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Tunnel. I perked right up. This was not the way my itinerary was pointing...but I was very familiar with it, when I lived in Va. Bch. I would visit my kids in N.Y. by that very route. I decided on the spot to go for it. Rt. 13 may be slower & longer but it offered me comfort ,ease and joy...another thing I had been affirming. I was so happy to be in familiar territory.Yes, it did take longer(12 hours) but I promised myself a nice massage when I got to the Edgar Cayce ARE next day. The ride was relaxed and I rejoiced ​

​ when at last I saw the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The toll was $13. which it was 13 years ago when I lived there, amazing. When I rode into Va. Bch., I was DONE! I pulled into a strip mall called my friend Suzi and asked her to meet me & lead me home at last. She did and I felt a huge relief. Thank you Universe for all your support.​

'My Fantastic Road Trip Adventure 4th installment

Brother Tom led me to the highway and I was on my way to cousin Regina in Northampton. I arrived at her door 2 hours later with no glitches or phone calls, I was so proud of myself...a very good beginning for this lap of the journey. so good to see my cuz and her hubby Tom. They are both retired and have their routines. (trend-had leftovers for lunch-spinach omlet) For dinner we enjoyed Spaghetti with meatballs & saughe, a comfort meal for all. The treat of treats cwas fresh, mouthwatering tomatoes just plucked from thier garden. I salavate thinking of it. Coctail hour was a treat as well, kalua with rasberry vodka...I could get used to this ;-) deliciouso. Next day we took ma ride to Yankee Candle and I bought some candles to send to the kids...and one for me. Rigina & Tom took me for a fabulous dinner that evening @ the Wheatley Inn. We were plied with taste tantalizing food to delight the palate. Afterwards a visit with niece and hubby who lived very comfortably in a large gorgeous home. Unbeknownst to me, they had a rotwieller dog who jumped on the porch door to get inside. He looked dangerous to me but they assured me he was a playful puppy. Nevertheless it was strong & had long nails even if he just jumped up to lick you....you would be bound to get hurt. I could see the headline now :Woman visits relatives mauled by family pet'.I had wanted to take a photo of my niece, my cuz & me but I couldn't risk it...any movement might excite the dog.

My Fantastic Road Trip Adventure' 3rd installment

Tom's home which he built with his own two hands,was beautiful...I was very impressed and proud of him...custom built to meet their needs and requirements. A front porch and colorful flowers in the front yard welcomed me. A center hall entrance and open floor plan made it bright and airy. The wood floors and fireplace and mantle made it homey. It was so good to sit at the kitchen table with a bowl of fresh fruit salad and catch up with my brother. His wife, Maria, her son & their grandson were at a family birthday party which allowed us one on one time which was needed, it had been too long.The gang returned home, introductions were made and excitement ensued. The plan was to go out to dinner and meet up with Samantha, Tom's daughter and her twins Lucas & Logan who were going on 2 yrs. old. It was a joy and delight to first meet them. Unfortunately there was over an hour wait to be served once we were seated and the toddlers got restless. Mama Sam handled the situation beautifully with the help of Grandma Maria. A photo op occured and this moment in time was captured beautifully for posterity. A blues fest was on the agenda for the evening but rain changed that plan and we relaxed at home. Sunday morning was breakfast at Ogonguit Beach with Tom, Maria & grandson Jace followed by a tour of the historic area. Back home Maria made her famous fish chowder to be savored by all. As luck would have it my other brother Dick happened to be in town for a clambake and he was invited to stop by and visit with us afterwards. Dick is a great story teller an d had us all laughing. Tom on the other hand builds beautiful homes in the area, each has their own gifts. The Portugese festival was on tap next ...but again,rained out. What to do with an energetic 7 year old in the house? The child himself looked up on google : 11 things to do on a rainy day. Such a resourceful kid! Wound up making a video of Jace drumming on...himself. How talented is that, we laughed and laughed, it was so hilarious.

Wildlife sightings in Ma., first day spotted a large deer in Tom's backyard leisurely checking out the compost pile, unrushed as could be. I swear he turned & look me right in the eye and when finished he gracefully strolled away. What a gift to observe. We were also graced by the visit of 3 wild turkeys. Later that evening Tom invited me to join him @ his AA meeting which I welcomed the opportunity and was uplifted by it. I inquired where Rosa, our mother was buried and he asked if I'd like to go visit the site on Cape Cod. So early the next morning we took a ride to Cape Cod  Cemetery. It was peaceful and healing. We put flowers on the grave and said a prayer. Then it was time to depart to my next destination , cousin Regina in Northampton. The end of a beautiful visit, my heart overflowed with love & joy.