Home Again?

Sitting here, back from the Clune Family Reunion. Feeling blue, melancholy, satisfied, lonely. Wondering why some things happen, wishing I knew more answers, wondering how to help people in pain. Loving my family, feeling blessed by each of them, thinking that being together is the very best place to be. Thinking about Matt and wishing he had been with us. And thinking about and anticipating the next get together!

Boston Harbor

I made a list of everything I wanted to see and do while we were in Boston. And by the end of the trip I was able to check everything off the list. Some of the things though were by surprise or accident. I had given up on Mike's Bakery but then we were walking the Freedom Trail and there was Mike's Bakery, right on our way. Delicious surprise I might add. The final unaccomplished item on my list was Boston Harbor and I had given up on that since we had to leave on Saturday night and it appeared that we just wouldn't have enough time. Oh well, I thought. We spent the day on Saturday walking the Freedom Trail, visiting historical sites, and finally eating pizza at a hole in the wall that Jere frequents whenever he is there. (I might add that the wait staff consisted of little old men, probably friends of the owner, looking like they had gotten up from watching tv in their shorts and t shirts and had just headed right off to work. I noticed one of them polishing the silverware with his t shirt before putting it on a table, and my water tasted faintly like rootbeer, maybe, probably the glass wasn't clean in the first place!!)

After dinner we headed to the airport, in plenty of time I might add. We turned in the rental car and rode the bus to the terminal. Funny thing, neither of our tickets seemed to be working. And when the ticket agent checked them she informed us that we had missed the flight by several, three, hours. She was very kind, booked us on a flight the next morning, got us a distressed rate at the airport Hilton, and sent us on our way. The Hilton was beautiful and can you believe it, overlooked Boston Harbor. In fact our room had windows that looked right out on the harbor. So I took night pictures. When we got up the next morning fog had blanketed the city. We watched it settle and then lift and then settle and then lift, absolutely beautiful!! I did think about the Boston Tea Party and imagined what the environmentalists would say and do if it were to occur today!!

Visiting New Hampshire

We drove up to Milford, New Hampshire where dad spent some of his growing up years. It was a fun little town, quite charming. We stopped at the town square and ate at the same diner that was there when dad lived there. We saw the house where he lived and walked across the street and into the woods to the "BIG ROCK" where he and his buddies used to play. Also saw the church where he had his first communion and went inside, it was beautiful. It's always interesting to step into the world of someone else. Sometimes it's hard to remember that there was a time when dad and I weren't together. And fun to try to visualize a little energetic boy running around, playing hard, and growing up!

More Boston Photos

I find that if I don't finish my comments when they are fresh it's just too hard to do it later. But some more Boston pictures. The Old South Church in the upper left corner, a huge crack was discovered in the wall of the church just when we were there. Mike's Pastry was recommended to us by many people. It was wonderful!! I just thought the Massachusetts State House was beautiful, lower left corner. And Boston wouldn't be complete without a visit to see Paul Reverek and the Old North Church, lower right corner. There are too many more photos to blog. It was a great trip and I'd love to go back!!

Boston's Mother Goose

First I thought the dates were most interesting and then the name, Mary Goose, caught my attention. But when I read in the guide book I found out a little more about Mary Goose.

Boston Visit - 1st Installment

We had a great time in Boston!! As you probably know I love visiting cemeteries and there were two very close to our hotel. It is so interesting to see death dates all the way back to the mid 1700s. The first cemetery is the Granary Burial Ground. Lots of headstones and very close together. I wondered if the people below liked being so close to their neighbors! Notice also the podium, rather convenient for preaching a funeral sermon. This cemetery was especially interesting because it is the burial place of John Lathrop who is one of our rather notable ancestors. There are many famous people who are also descendents of John Lathrop, including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George and Mitt Romney, and Joseph Smith. I looked a little for his headstone but I could have spent days reading each one trying to find him so I gave up. His name is the last one on the brass placque on the main gate.

As you can read on this monument, John Hancock is one of the notable people buried here.

As well as the Franklin family, Benjamin, his wife, some of his children and his parents.

Branson Thanksgiving - Oh the Joy!!

It's hard to believe that going to Branson could create such joy in the hearts of parents and children and yet here it is, proof positive. Although if you look closely you will notice that one of the joyful participants seems to be a little more concerned about landing his jump safely than about the fun day ahead!!

Branson Thanksgiving

We went to see The Six. A group of six, no way, brothers who sing acapella. You'd swear they had instruments backing them up but they make all of those sounds with their voices. It was pretty amazing!! And even funny, Jere was nearly on the floor at one point!! Marc is an amazing photographer. I've been working and working and working with my camera and he takes it and starts pushing buttons, which is what he is always telling me to do, and ends up with some very artsy photos. At least he is willing to teach me what he just seems to be able to figure out on his own. So the black and whites are samples of his skill and talent and ability, I call it skilentility!!

Thanksgiving Pirate Golf

After our great Italian Thanksgiving dinner, a first for us, we headed out for a quick game of mini golf at a Pirate themed golf course. I guess you can't really see much of the pirate theme but it was. We also found some interesting wild life, a walking stick. He was slowly, v e r y s l o w l y, walking down the sidewalk and fearing for his life Jere gave him a ride to safety. Pretty big fellow!! Notice Marc's glow in the dark shoes and Jere's special golf glasses, intended to aid in the finesse of the game!!

Branson Thanksgiving

We had to hit the Branson Landing. It's just next to the lake and is a fun place to shop. Can't believe we actually went there on BLACK FRIDAY!! It was busy but not too bad. And yes, that is Jere getting ready to head into the Bass Pro Shop, he doesn't fish! He left with a couple of pairs of pants though. Just as we were leaving the fire and fountain show started. No, that's not a series of bonfires, it's the fire and fountain show. Pretty spectacular!