Fall 2011

It has been far too long since my last post. The fall season has had me wrapped up with much to do, but probably the most gratifying has been the time spent practicing at my piano. But first, let me review some of the wonderful things Peter and I have done this year.

As many of you know, we try to take two major trips each year. This year saw a long-awaited dream trip come true. We went to China in the spring with Tauck tours. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. Seeing that fascinating continent "up close and personal" made an indelible impression on us. One must see it firsthand to appreciate the enormous volume of people, which ultimately puts many issues into perspective.

We returned from China to await the imminent arrival of a new family member - Peter's younger niece had her first child. Little Henry Jay was welcomed into the family with open arms.

In September, I travelled on my own to Italy to attend a week-long course in bargello stitching and design.  The course was given by Joyce Petschek, a renowned bargello artist.  She lives in London, and keeps a summer home in the hills of Tuscany, outside of Pisa.  It was a rare opportunity that I hope will bring a new dimension to my needlework.

Our second trip was closer to home. We went to Maine and Canada. We had long wanted to drive up the coast of Maine, so we rented a car in Boston and hit the road. It was delightful and we caught some of the east coast Fall color, too. Our twelve day journey took us to Wiscasset, Bar Harbor and Eastport in Maine, then onto Moncton, Petit Rocher and Amqui, New Brunswick and finally Quebec and Montreal.




                   Taken in Acadia National Park

Peter and I greatly enjoyed our Maine/Canada trip, so much so, that we realized we want to do more of that type of touring to places which we have not been in the U.S.  Our international travels have been wonderful, but we would like to concentrate on seeing more our own country.  We are hoping to take several localized, "off-the-beaten-path" type trips where we will fly to the destination and rent a car and drive our route leisurely.