Make New Friends, But Keep the Old!

Well, this past weekend I went to New York for my 35 year high school reunion.  Some of you obviously know this, but again, NOT announcing my leaving town beforehand was what I think helps keep safety on the Internet.  After very little sleep and so much fun and emotion, I am back and after falling asleep at dinner time, I am even caught up on my sleep!

As we go through life, it is so nice to meet new people, develop new relationships and grow.  That said, there is nothing like old friends.  I am incredibly lucky to have lifelong friendships and to have had this opportunity to revisit our youth together.  Carole, Dolores and Joy, you made this weekend so much more special just by us experiencing this together.  There is NOTHING like girlfriends and seeing some of the most special ones, best friends at one time or another, like Jill from elementary school and Abby from junior high.  Did we really ride the elevators up and down smoking cigarettes…some things never change, but other things, thankfully do!!  It was also great to see some of the “boys” that make up the tapestry of my youth.  From the days of hanging out on the block with Ronnie Casanova, to the most special days of middle school, where relationships would be forged for life with JoeD and JoeN, or tearing apart lyrics to meaningful songs like Fire and Rain, with Ken J., listening to  Michael Jackson records and first kisses with Jay, reuniting 35 years later was an experience that compares to no other.  I will think of all of you with a happy heart and send you love and light always! And yes, I finally broke down and signed up for Facebook, though I am still not sure I have any more time to spend on the computer than I already do!  I also resisted attending a reunion until now, and once again I have learned a lesson.  EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO THESE THINGS!

On a side note, I spent the weekend with Dolores and Ted who are always the host and hostess with the mostest.  Ted has an incredible, edible garden and was one of my main inspirations to start one, myself.  On their acres of property, Ted grows EVERYTHING.  We spent part of Saturday afternoon picking carrots, radishes, romaine lettuce, red cabbage, all different types of peppers and tomatoes, broccoli, fresh herbs and more…I hope to be able to post some pictures later in the week.  Once everything was cleaned, I made a huge salad and Ted made a stir fry in the wok.  He used some peppers, carrots, broccoli and lots of red cabbage.  He added some soy sauce, fresh ginger, salt and pepper and it was DELICIOUS.  If you have never tried stir fried red cabbage, get on it, you can’t imagine how sweet it tastes!   Served with a big fresh bread and some olive oil that Dolores had earlier seasoned with garlic and basil,  this entirely plant-based lunch was not only out of this world in taste, but also in looks and aroma.  Thanks, Ted, for all you taught me about designing and caring for my own garden.  I came home excited to see everything doing so well and inspired to keep planting!

I was, of course, also excited to see Mitch and my favorite furry people, too.  Just like Dorothy, returning from the land of Oz, when it’s all said and done, there is no place like home.

Though my toes are STILL numb from standing and dancing in high heels for so many hours, it’s back to the gym this morning with a busy work week ahead of me.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

“Make new friends, but keep the old…one is silver and the other is gold.”