As I grow older, with time passing rapidly and the future pressing in, I feel a need to reconnect with my extended family. It’s like I want a second chance to know them. Since my mother and father were both from families of eight children, I have lots of cousins. One cousin I’ve wanted to … Continue reading Distant Cousins
Author: conniesedona317
Searching for Mama
Today is Mama’s 94th birthday. We’ll gather at the nursing home and she’ll see that there’s something special going on: great-grandchildren bringing her balloons, tables covered with bright cloths and vases of flowers, birthday cake and family singing to her. Thinking about how little she understands now, I’m glad I went in search of her … Continue reading Searching for Mama
Places in My Path: Antietam
Yesterday’s celebrations of the Fourth of July are now vivid memories: backyard barbecues, American flags, booming fireworks exploding into a rainbow of colors followed by a smoky sulphuric smell. Underneath all the celebration we honor those who’ve earned our freedom. I was reminded of that on my solo journey to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia when … Continue reading Places in My Path: Antietam
Transported Beyond Cancer
It’s been seventeen years since I heard the words, “You have cancer.” Now the waiting room, which had always had an acrid smell of chemo drugs, doesn’t make me nauseous. Before this visit, I didn’t feel anxious like something bad was about to happen. My sleep has been good, no lying awake at 3:30 a.m. … Continue reading Transported Beyond Cancer
Vermonters in My Path
On Monday evening I arrived in Vermont after an easy train ride from NYC. I chose to start out in White River Junction since the Hotel Coolidge, a historic train hotel, offered Hosteling International beds and was just across the tracks from the Amtrak station. The next morning, I called the rental car company and … Continue reading Vermonters in My Path
Sunday Suppers
It was almost 9:30 on Friday night when the Amtrak train finally pulled into Penn Station in New York City. The eleven- hour ride from Durham was my first solo journey by rail. Our younger son, Ross, was twenty-eight and had lived in Manhattan for five years. I would spend the weekend with him before … Continue reading Sunday Suppers
Color’s Calling
The gray days of early February were weighing me down. Being used to moderate winters in North Carolina, I’d had about all I could take of sub-freezing days and the sun hiding out behind depressing clouds. At that time, I was in a group of women who were learning to knit scarves. When my mood … Continue reading Color’s Calling
Lavender Field Morning
The Pelindaba Lavender Farm stretched before me like a landscape canvas; foreground with rows of lavender, mid ground with a lake dotted by white triangular sails of small boats maneuvered by summer campers, and background of snow-covered Mt. Baker stretching majestically to the northeast. I walked the perimeter in the cool morning air that was fragrant … Continue reading Lavender Field Morning
Interior Mansion
“This doesn’t look like the picture on the website,” I said to myself when I pulled into the hostel, my heart sinking. The nondescript, white frame house needed paint and renovation. What will it be like here, I wondered and thought of the next three days. From the exterior, this hostel was less impressive than … Continue reading Interior Mansion
Flying Horses
I stood at the edge of the crowd of adoring family and friends cheering on the riders of the Flying Horses Carousel at Oak Bluffs. My coworker from Boston, had told me that when she was a child, her family came here every summer. It was a popular spot on Martha’s Vineyard. I could just … Continue reading Flying Horses
