MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Auntie" Dineen and I got to take the kiddles to The Toys Take Over Christmas by Patricia Clapp, a Vermont holiday tradition celebrating 21 years at the Royall Tyler Theater.  Dineen used to love to go with her children who are now grown and she suggested the play.  Well, it was a BIG hit and on the car ride home Anthony and Lucy were planning their costumes to "play" the play.  Thanks, Dineen.  We'll be there again next year!

2011 Thanksgiving Trip

We are so lucky to be able to spend time with friends and family at Thanksgiving.  For the past few years we've taken the whole week off to drive down to Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, a great trip, and this year my sister Barbara was with us, too.  We had THREE Thanksgiving dinners this time, the first on Tuesday in Lansdale, PA with Megan's parents Kent and Sue and Kent's sister Donna who flew up from Houston.  We love visiting them and had a great time, as always.  We laugh enough on this trip to keep us in a good mood for months.  Their sweet new puppy Peanut bonded with Ed right away - they were like this (X)!

Ed cooked his famous turkey-in-the-Weber, and the rest of us pitched in with sides, wine and pie, yummy.  We did get in some games of Liverpool, our family game.  If the picture of Kent looks familiar, it's because I used it last year!  He was so busy counting turkeys at Whole Foods where he manages the meat department, that we didn't get to see enough of him.  Hope you got some sleep on Thursday, Kent!

My family lived in King of Prussia, PA when it was still surrounded by farms - that would be 1956-57.  My brother Rob wasn't born yet, but Barbara, Richard, Peter and I loved to go to Valley Forge and run around playing cowboys and Indians in the woods, peeking into the huts, and generally being rowdy.  I always remember it as autumn with leaves on the ground.  So when we left Lansdale we headed over there.  They now have a wonderful education center and theater along with miles of trails, many monuments, reproduced soldiers' huts, George Washington's original headquarters, etc.  It was just fascinating.  I realized I did not know nearly enough about Washington when I read George Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow in April - a history buff's must-read.

Next stop: Seven Valleys, PA to see Ed's cousin Judy and her husband Pat who put us all up at their beautiful home.  More, fun, wonderful food and, yes, laughter!

On the actual day of Thanksgiving we all headed over to see Ed's other cousin Debbie and her husband Ed in Bel Air, MD for...a Thanksgiving dinner extraordinaire!

Turkey, ham, unbelievable appetizers, side dishes and many desserts.  That house was FULL of kids, cousins, aunts, uncles, you name it.  There were THREE table set up in the house!

Ed's Aunt Joyce is in these photos.  She's 82, going strong and is the last of his father's siblings.

We'd had enough great food to last us for weeks, but when we told Pat we wanted Maryland crabs, he plotted a great route for us to take over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore and down to St. Michaels, MD, "The Town That Fooled the British" and home of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.  We had never heard of it, so we asked our waitress for the story.  It seems that during the War of 1812 the townspeople got wind that the British were sailing up the Bay to attack their town, so they evacuated, shut down all lights and fires, then hung hundreds of lanterns in the trees away from their homes to fool the British into bombarding the "town" and harming no people or property.  Pretty resourceful, right?  And the crabs were great!  Barbara had oysters topped with crabmeat, but Ed and I had fun cracking boiled crabs.  Are we full yet???

On to Fredericksburg, VA.  My Dad had asked his family to come down for a visit and, considering how many of us there are, a good number showed up.  My family is used to me organizing them into photogenic groups, fortunately, so they all agreed to hold still on and off throughout the weekend.

For those of you who haven't met us all, here we are.  Back row: Patrick, Gillian, Ed, Anthony, Richard and Henry.  Front row: Rob, Barbara, Miriam, Dad, Najat, Sarae, Dick and Ginny.

So, we had yet another wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with amazing Moroccan food from our step-mother Najat, walks, swimming, Liverpool games, yes, lots of laughter and a delicious brunch on Sunday before our North Caroline family had to head home.  Our cousin Janet and her husband Leon came over from Rockville, MD on Sunday and added another happy dimension to the group.  I asked a waiter at the brunch to take one last big group photo (I can't resist, honestly, it's a disease!), but am glad I did because we all look great!  And happy and well-fed.

Well, we're home now and remembering what a wonderful time we had with great friends and relations.  By Sunday Ed was finally sick of the camera:

Finally!

I'll miss the OWS rally in Burlington today, alas.

Doug Box, a great photographer from Texas is visiting the VPP and he's a great speaker and I plan to learn a lot, so...

But the great news is that Americans are finally paying attention to how our financial woes are connected to the two unfunded wars, unfair tax policies, Wall Street regulating itself, Citizens United, insane subsidies to Big Oil and Big Ag, etc., etc.  I've just been amazed at how bovine we seemed to be, plodding along in whatever direction the corporate masters chose, voting against our own interests.  While it's still pretty fragile, I think the will for real new direction is growing in the mainstream population.  Who knows?  Maybe they'll even see the value of universal healthcare one of these days.

Occupy Wall Street - Burlington

We decided to speak up, so to speak, and attend the Occupy Wall Street rally in Burlington today.  As flaming liberals, Barbara and I remember the media's utter lack of interest in covering the many protests leading up to the Iraq War and we don't want to see that happen again.  Many people who lived through that time actually think there was no organized protest.  Well, there was plenty but you never saw it on the news.

People are rightly upset by the hijacking of our democracy by monied interests and we hope this could be the beginning of a real backlash.  About danged time, too!

The crowd was energetic, strategizing and marching on Main and Church Streets, even after a 500-strong march yesterday.  We plan to show up every Sunday until... what?...Congress gets the message?  Citizens United is overturned?  Discouraged average Americans get out and vote their own interests for a change?

You might say the marchers' concerns are diverse, but I think they boil down to the same thing: our "representative" government has vanished in the wake of the boatloads of money tipping the scales in favor of corporations and the mega-rich.  And war is profit, don't forget, and the engine of what little national industry we have left so no one in power really wants peace despite their claims to "support our troops".

It was a very satisfying afternoon and, on top of that, we had fabulous Turkish street food from Muzo's cart on Church Street!  Delicious - menu below:

We're B-A-A-C-K

Back in Vermont, YAY!  And it's still autumn, there are still some leaves and nice days ahead.  As Ebeneezer Scrooge said on Christmas morning, "I haven't missed it!"

My sister Barbara will be staying with us for a while and I'm really happy about that.  We finished cleaning out her house in Charlottesville, VA and it is now on the market there.  Her friends recommended a real estate agent who was wonderful, a landscaper/handyman, also just great.  Our cousin Janet and her husband Leon came down from Rockville, MD to help pack, paint the porch and generally keep us cheerful.  It was a big job, but, amazingly we got through it and the house looks great.

As you know, I have been doing water aerobics here, so I dragged my sister along to the beautiful new solar heated pools at the The Smith Aquatic and Center run by Charlottesville Parks and Rec.  I feel a lot better after some jumping around in the pool, so I was glad to find such a nice facility to splash around in.

Looking forward to seeing my peeps at the Fitness Edge in South Burlington on Monday.

Happy Birthday, Dad

Happy Birthday, Dad - 87 today!

You're going strong and we're hoping you'll be around another 87 years.

We also hope we're as fit and active as you are when we get to your age!

I wrote a longer tribute last year and hope you'll read it if you missed it on August 23, 2010.

Peter Gudaitis

Well, this has been a terrible week.

My brother-in-law Peter Gudaitis died suddenly and completely unexpectedly on Wednesday at home in Charlottesville, Virginia.

My sister Barbara and Peter's brother Chas are there now trying to make sense and order of it all.

Barbara has to return to New Orleans next week to pack up her apartment there and move back to Virginia - she's been working in New Orleans for three years.  I know it sounds like an odd arrangement, but Peter and Barbara were an unusual couple.  They talked every day, visited when they could and really appreciated each others quirks.  They each had 100% support from the other.

We're all just so sad and can't believe we'll never see Peter again.

He was brilliant, a music lover, could build anything electronic, made some beautiful furniture, earned his PhD in cell biology, was passionate about ideas, liberal with a capital "L", unfailingly curious, adored his cats, was shy, kind, a gifted photographer and also hilarious.  When he wanted to do or build anything he did meticulous research then dived right in.

He was really good at avoiding me and my camera and I was unhappy to think I might not have a good picture of him.  Finally I remembered taking some at Elizabeth and Chris's wedding in 2003 when even Peter didn't avoid the general photography mayhem going on.

Peter used to go on hiking trips in the Sonoran Desert with his father and brother Chas.  He and Chas continued the tradition after their father died and those trips meant so much to him.  The family will scatter his ashes in Arizona at a future date which sounds to me like just what he would have wanted.

Goodbye, Peter.  We'll all miss you so much.

Here's Peter's obituary notice in the  Daily Progress, Charlottesville.  If anyone wishes to make a donation Barbara has chosen The Committee for Missing Children (address in the obit.)  Thanks.

Happy Birthday, Anthony

This day was hard to imagine.

Anthony who has been in my heart since before he was born turns 30 years old today.

He has always been an original, quick and creative with deep feelings he articulated from about age 4.  The most morally courageous kid I can ever remember knowing, he has always made me so proud.

This photograph was taken when Anthony was 21 heading to Ireland for the first time with very little but his Uilleann bagpipes.  He reluctantly let me snap a photo before we drove to the airport.

I'll admit I did plague both my children with an ever present camera, but how else would I have had shots like this that make me smile and tear up at the same time?

Anthony is all grown up now, working hard, doesn't have his birthday off, alas.  He's still piping away whenever the chance arises, still shares a lot with me and Ed.

He lives on the other side of the state so we don't see him as much as we'd like, but, hey - he could be on the West Coast, so I feel lucky indeed.

I love you, Anthony, and I hope this post doesn't drive you nuts!

Keuka - Quick Trip to Wine Country

Arlo and I took a trip to Keuka Lake on Sunday.  Keuka is in the Finger Lakes region of New York, near Ithaca.

My friend Dineen visits her family camp there every August and we missed going last year.

The greatest thing about this place is the total relaxation - no schedule or commitments.  Aaaahhhhh!  We had beautiful weather, hot but breezy, then rainy and breezy, then cooler and breezy.  We just sat on the deck overlooking the lake, on the lawn overlooking the lake...you get the idea.  Arlo's girl friend Martini came out with Dineen, so there was a lot of ball chasing, treats, etc. along with the lounging.  Martini is also a Golden Doodle, born one month before Arlo in 2006.  Salt and Peppa!

On Tuesday it rained and we got soaked shopping, running the dogs and dashing back and forth from the car.  We decided to visit a couple of wineries just across the lake.  Our first stop was Heron Hill. 

We had a tasting and met Tambi Schweizer the tasting room manager who also made the cool bistro table you see below.  It's part of an auction/fundraiser project for the area - think of those painted cows in Burlington last summer.  The materials are a wine cask and corks!

The wine was so delicious (to say nothing of making cool lamps out of the gorgeous bottles) that we bought a case to bring home and share with our Cacklefest friends, the Peeps.

Then we went on to Bully Hill for a mah-velous lunch on the deck:  grilled Portobello mushroom topped with a crab cake and two perfectly seared scallops.  More wine, too!

This trip was too short!!!  Arlo and I had to beat it back to Vermont on Wednesday for a couple of photography jobs, but we are so glad we went.  Next year I hope my sister Barbara can come again and the Peeps, of course.  Thanks again, Dineen for a wonderful vacation!

A Cool Time Keeping Cool

I sometimes think about how dorky my grandkids will one day think I am for using titles like "A Cool Time Keeping Cool", but for now G.G. can do no wrong, so I'll enjoy it while I can.

Even Vermont was sweltering last week, but we did our best to keep cool with watermelon in the shade and lots of fans blowing.  It's better today, but it is summer after all, so the next onslaught of heat is just around the corner.

Let's be clear.  I do not complain about cold and snow so I feel entitled to b*tch a bit in the summer.

Anthony and I also made a trip to the Birds of Vermont Museum where he learned about writing poetry, similes, describing nature, etc.  We do love it there and, alas, they are closed in the winter.  It was a blast, as always.

Then we visited the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington to see a wonderful project by Alfred Holden:  Beyond Legos.  Also so return a library book I found while cleaning out bookshelves in preparation for listing our house for sale.  No, I don't make my grandson read atheist treatises, he's just holding it while I take the picture.

When I told Anthony where we were going he ad a hard time conceiving of a whole town built of cardboard and balsa wood, colored by hand.

 Built with his brother over 40 years ago, Alfred's description of their project is a must-read.  It reminds me of similar efforts (on a much smaller scale, of course) from my own childhood and especially the creations of my son Anthony.  We used to say he could go to his room with a wire coat hanger, glue and construction paper and be happy for hours.  Every day!  He's the only child I can ever recall who never, in his life, said he was bored.

I highly recommend a trip to see the Beyond Legos exhibit - only one more week!

Fourth of July

We spent a wonderful afternoon with Linda and Bill Post at their pot-luck pool party yesterday.

The pool was the perfect - I MEAN really perfect temperature - cold when you get in, just nice and cool the whole time - no blue lips, no feeling like you're in a warm bath.  I guess we can thank Vermont's coolish and rainy summer weather so far!

Well, the heat is here this week, but I won't complain since most of June was lovely, if rainy.

The food was just yummy.  There was lime BBQ shrimp, BBQ chicken, no mayo herb potato salad, Greek tomato salad, home made salsa and guacamole, delish Margaritas, West African spicy eggs (you have to see it), watermelon salad and strawberry pie!  I should have taken a picture of the food, but guess I'm on vacation.

Bathing beauties Kate and Julie and their S.O.s were there along with a few other old friends.

Linda had picked up some red, white and blue cupcakes from My Little Cupcake for Sandy's birthday, so on top of the aforementioned feast, we gorged on those, too.

After everyone else had left, Bill, Linda, Ed and I had a good game of Liverpool (our favorite card game, but you need at least three to play, so finding other players is a treat.)

More adventure:  before we went to bed we let the dogs out, as usual, to water the lawn.  Well, Rufus "caught" a skunk!  So, Ed was outside at midnight giving him a Skunk-Off shampoo and he had to sleep in the entryway (Rufus, not Ed.)  What we hope to remember about July 4 is the great party, not the stinky dog!

Camp Sunshine 2011

I can't speak personally about Anthony and Lucy's visit to Camp Sunshine in Sebago Lake, Maine because I wasn't there this year.  For the first time their Dad Chris was able to go so the whole family could experience the magic of this unbelievable camp.

A & L attended Solid Transplant Week and got to see their old summer friends and meet some new ones.  Favorite counselors Ben, Katherine, Kristin & Sumeeta were on hand to play, play and play some more, while Liz and Chris got to relax, hang out with grownups, swim, kayak and take the treetop ropes challenge.

Thanks to everyone who sent home photos, since I wasn't there in June to take my own!  Here's a great shot of the final evening Wish Boat launching.  I hope this family tradition will last for many more years.

Father's Day

Let me start by saying my Dad, Fred Kurth will be 87 on his birthday in August.  He's always been spry, active and a bit of an adventurer.  His work has taken him all around the world including a memorable time in Morocco 27 years ago where he met and married my step-mother Najia.

So, when he landed in the hospital in early June for no known reason, we were surprised and distressed, never having thought of any infirmities connected with him.  And why would we?  He was always fine, "a wiry Texan" as Ed likes to say.

But things had piled up - new medications, a move into a 55+ (!) housing development in Fredericksburg, Virginia, some knee trouble, maybe a little too much stress and whamo - there he was - in the hospital for five days.  That was a bit of a wake-up call for us all and my brother Rob and I decided to drive down to see him last weekend.

My youngest sister Miriam is living at home and another sister Sarae had flown to Virginia from Tucson to help while Dad was in the hospital (she had to go home, alas, before we arrived).  My other brothers, Richard and Peter, and my sister Barbara all called with support, but Rob and I were the only ones able to take off from work and visit.

We were so glad we did.  Our Dad was pretty pretty worn out when we arrived, looking, um, OLD!  The time in the hospital had depleted him, he'd lost 10 pounds and seemed exhausted.  He has lots of caring people around, though, Najia, Miriam, Abdeillah, Najia's brother and other relatives in Fredericksburg who come by to visit and help out.

I think the experience of the hospital made it important for him to talk and we all enjoyed that.  My Dad was always pretty reserved when we were growing up, though he's mellowed so much since his marriage to Najia.  He's that rare man who can really talk about his feelings.

I'm glad to say that, during the short time we were there, Dad perked up a lot and seemed to get his appetite back a bit - he's always loved to eat, although where he puts it is a mystery.  We joked a lot about that, recommending a pumpkin pie diet until the lost 10 pounds reappeared.  No worries there - Najia is a fabulous cook - check out the beautiful couscous dish with lamb, cabbage, potatoes, eggplant, fava beans, carrots and onions.

Rob and I hadn't actually been WITH our Dad for Father's Day in many years, but just called him because of the distances. So Sunday and Saturday (my birthday, oldest child, and all) were very special for us all.  We were able to talk about important things - I'm not all that sentimental, as you may know, but I felt very close and connected.  We are so grateful to Najia and her dedication to making Dad's days so safe and happy.

Have a great summer, Dad.  Ed and I plan to visit again at Thanksgiving.  Keep up the exercise so we can all go for a jog!