Nostalgic Day…F&M…my dads Alma Mater

Another incredible day filled with so much meaning. After a great night sleep in this loving warm home, I awoke to coffee on the deck overlooking a forest setting that looks like a fairy tale book scene. I can only imagine how colorful this setting looks in the fall. The leaves are huge and the sounds of birds echo at full blast volume. We planned our days agenda……Jason will take kids to the river while Woodley and I take an hour drive to Lancaster, PA to visit my dads old stomping ground and college town.

These kids are mesmerized by my ever changing look of my hair and the fact that I have the hugest brush in my suitcase. I promised them they could watch me get ready and straighten my hair. A super fun activity….they are truly my shadows and I absolutely LOVE IT! As I curl my eye lashes they watch so closely. The small amount of make up, I apply they watch and ask questions. The hair product questions and than the brush went into action. They each pointed out areas I needed to straighten again as bumps appeared and we were aiming for perfection. All ready…..They waved us good bye as we drove away, chasing us down the street screaming bye……..for our adventurous day. We had great story time on the drive while I observed the scenery of lush green country land in PA. We stopped at the healthy market where Woodley grocery shops….she always finds the au natural places, I got an egg sandwich for the road and we were off. The many corn fields and greenery of over grown trees and fields. Not much to see on this drive, just empty land. I have been looking at maps to try to fully understand where in comparison we are to the more familiar parts I know around here.

I searched my dads email for stories of his college years. As many of you know he loved to write and with much more details than me. I read aloud stories from 1965 of JFKs death, stories of his own fathers death and the story of his philosophy class relating to Ben Carsons situation, and how much my dads philosophy class taught him about being a good man. Wow…..even Woodley was nostalgic upon arrival especially since we ended up parking near the Philosophy building by chance, if you believe in chance, wink wink!! I had been here one time as a family in the 1980’s. Now that Im at this age and his stories have truly unfolded along my lifetime the meaning of today to me with his absence was beyond special to my heart. We snapped lots of photos and walked the entire campus. I imagined him walking around with the pink wooden penis necklace hidden under his shirt from the fraternity hazing days 🙂 Story’s we have all heard if you paid attention and listened, lol. An all boy school at the time he attended now a coed place. We went inside an open building to use the potty and spoke to a student working. She was from New Jersey and a rising sophomore. I asked her my many questions…..she informed us 2000 students attend this school, she is a government major, and chose to go to this school since they offered her the most financial aid, its a private school, and she loves it. We saw squirrels, many young students playing ball, kids on a playground, the library, and made our way to the big Franklin & Marshall sign for my posing photograph. I called my dads best friend from college, Mike Sussman to inquire what year they graduated. We told him where we were and he was excited to share more information. He gave me the address to the old frat house which we drove past and the year of graduation being 1966. He thought it was cool and in my mind Im sure my dad had his shit eating grin with a tear in his eye looking down so freakin amazed and impressed that I was here walking these grounds with Mike on speaker phone. Woodley and I shared some heart felt tears. It was a very special day!

We than made our way to check out this up and coming hip town of Lancaster. Mind you when he went to school here it was a desolate Amish country. Today it is such a cute quaint Charming town with live musicians on red brick roads. It was music that made me feel like I was in Ireland- with fiddle type instruments. We wandered through the Central Market tasting all the farmers fresh food. The best guacamole, pineapple salsa, fresh cheeses and crackers. These philadelphia hot pretzels are everywhere but I have been eating lots of bread that I have chosen not to get one. We exited the lovely smell of fresh breads and seafood to the music outside. We found a yummy lunch spot after checking out a few menus. The Prince Street Cafe won….I had a yummy creamy Lox Tartin with pickled onions, watermelon radishes on toasted rye bread. It was SO good, washed down with fresh strawberry lemonade. Wood had a veggie sandwich. We walked back to the car through all these cute shops. Stopped to get Jason some famous Lancaster Pickles. I tasted a few flavors, they were crispy and good! We purchased 2 flavors to take home. Jumped in the car to head home. We were on the hunt for gas, starbucks, and hoping for a liquor store. Remember this neck of the woods similar to Jersey you cant buy wine at a grocery store. We got gas and bucks but no wine yet. Drove through the corn fields again, saw one Amish guy riding his bike with suspenders and his straw hat. Back to our talks about life. Woodley has a thing where she has heard 3 things you need to make a relationship work, I decided I concur and will be looking. The saying is you need someone interesting, someone who will always have your back, and that special spark. 3 ingredients to everlasting love. Great conversations. ❤️

We made it home to be greeted outside by kiddies on bikes, drop off stuff and walk to black top. Ellery is impressive….she rides a 2 wheeler bike by herself with no training wheels, shes only 4….. And she is fast, turns, and stops. It was gorgeous outside, I have been spoiled with beautiful temps and humidity I can handle. The best of company. Every kid wants to show Laurie their tricks. We decide to go back home to get ready for the home cooked healthy dinner. Ellery and I build with play doh and play chutes & Ladders while we wait. I made a killer snowman with a baby while she made a house a cave and lots of other creations. I love being a kid. I listened to her shell collection for ocean noises, and read books too. We sat down at the table for a real family meal. Since I’m the new addition to the house I get to be sandwiched between my new fan club. Woods had prepared a moist yummy wild caught Salmon, green beans, and rice with funky cool spices. We have funny talks over dinner. These kids are too cute. 7 &4 is a great age still. Big surprise is desert,…..these healthy non sugar eaters get to have fancy desserts for the special occasion of ME! We had so many choices of chocolate, cheese cake pie, choc tarts, etc. everyone eats……we decide to go on another trail neighborhood walk. MY FAVORITE ACTIVITY, Seriously this trail is so peaceful. The sounds of the trickling water from the river, the wild raspberries growing along side the trail, these darn lantern flies……BIG DEAL sighting was the red Cardinal bird on the patio. I freaked and snapped plenty of pics. Look up the spiritual meaning of a red cardinal, it specifically says its a spirit trying to communicate…..hello dad! We had him with us today for sure 🙂 The kids are on bikes and scooters and we all get our after dinner exercise in. These kids are melting my heart constantly telling me best part of day was being with me…..we are in constant competition. Its now there time for bed, bath and sweet dreams. I will get a little time in morning before they take me to the train. More quality time spent.

Has anyone heard of the 1958 movie called, the Blob? Well it was filled in this town of Phoenixville, so this weekend has been the anniversary of the filming so there is The Blob Fest going on. People dressed up and movie being shown along with a 5 K and 10 K race for the Blob. Signs are everywhere in Phoenixville. Btw, Stephanie…..its mural haven in all parts of Philly. Got some photos captured for you.

We head back out to the deck with wine to ponder life more and stare at these fascinating fire flies that light up the near distant views. I plan to research how a fire fly works, as they really light up SO bright. Im loving them…..reminiscing about my summers in CT with my cousins, reading more of my dads emails to Jason and Woodley. They are sharing stories about childhood, all in all its a great way to spend our last night together.

In bed now as I type, just fyi….I appreciate all the reply’s always 🙂 If your having trouble replying please be sure ur writing your correct email in the space its requested to reply. If your still having trouble inquiring minds want to know so we can correct it. This blog took a lot to be revived. You may also just reply to my email if easier or your more private. I love to connect and email with fellow readers. You all are my reassurance and encouragement to keep writing, which I enjoy soooo much!

Jumping on a 10:40am train tomorrow, NYC bound for 2 nights 1.5 day……whose counting 🙂 You know me, want to make the most of every minute always when away. Loving my PA experience!

Sweet Dreams