A View From The 17th Fairway

The Map on the Wall, A Family Travelogue...

Last night I happened to see a travel show about China and the Great Wall. It brought back vivid memories of my two trips to mainland China. My career afforded me unique opportunities to travel the world. So much so, that I started a wall map to mark my venues. My youngest daughter was entering the business world, as I was ending my career. It became a bit of an international contest, with Mom marking red flags, and daughter marking blue flags. Sunni actually did business in Brazil long before I did the same. She, however, got to enjoy Rio, which I missed.

And she traveled to Australia, a place I would have loved to experience. But I sure had her beat with my extensive Asian travels. We called it even in Europe, but Central America was mine!

Now that she's looking forward to Motherhood, and I'm not traveling for business, we're both content to stay put for awhile. But you never know when that old Mother-Daughter travel competition may start up again - or maybe in time, it will become a Grandmother-Grandchild trip...Actually, I can't wait for that!

Beantown Never Fails to Delight!

 

Of course this trip was extra-special. Daughter Sunni is expecting our second grandchild (and first granddaughter!) in late February. Kevin was in training in Savannah for his new job, so it was 'girl-time' all the way!

The highlight of the trip was of course the doctor's appointment. Sunni's doctor wheeled in a small ultra-sound machine where I could clearly see that healthy heartbeat and precious baby in waiting. What a memorable moment...
We had such a good time discussing decorating ideas, potting plants and printing photos. Her home is so warm and cozy. That beautiful and roomy guestroom will get alot of activity come baby-time!!

Of course two new restaurants were so delicious! Common Ground and Fat Cat were unique and great fun. And we also visited the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoyed a photographic exhibit of Yousuf Karsh, which was amazing...

 

All in all, a great trip!

 

Back To Our Old Digs!

Yes, we're headed back to PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Our close friends, Steve & Marga Montanino, will be celebrating FIFTY years of marriage in mid-August. Their beautiful daughter, Mona, is hosting the anniversary party at their home in PGA Village.

We're very excited to be returning to the community where we previously lived. We made several close friends there that, over the years, have become more like family. In addition, the PGA Village courses (three plus an affiliated course) are world-class. We love the spacious lots in our new community, but we truly miss the meticulous fairways and manicured greens of PGA Village.

 PGA Village is a unique community for golfers. In addition to its' immaculate courses, it also hosts a golf museum and a school for aspiring golf professionals. All those 'extra's' make for a super-fun place to golf and live.

Fortunately for us, the Mainstay Hotel is onsite in the Village. They also allow pets, so Bailey and Brandee will be enjoying the vacation along with us. They were very well behaved during Sunni & Kevin's wedding, so they deserve a special trip, too.

So, we'll be packing up and heading south for sun, fun, golf and friends! Can't wait!

Golfing with Nancy...

Lopez, that is...After my doctor's appointment on Monday, David and I took our 'rain check' from last year and headed out to the Nancy Lopez course. It's been a course I've wanted to play every since I exchanged greetings with Nancy herself at a recent lunch at her casual restaurant, The Legacy.

We had a delicious lunch in a covered patio part of the restaurant. The waiter was more than attentive. David devoured his gourmet burger and I loved my lobster bisque. Other favorites include: Chicken Marsala, Warm Lobster Salad and Beef Stroganoff.

Pleasantly surprised at finding our neighbor behind the desk at the Pro Shop, we got good advice on which of the three nines to play. Each nine is named after one of Nancy's three daughters, Ashley, Erinn & Tori.

Click here for a flyover of the course. Click on your back arrow to return here.

Off we went! Still working with my new hybrid clubs, I hit my drives well, made some good short shots and had a few putts that had David scratching his head (in a good way!) David played well, as usual and had a great time.

We arrived home tired but happy with our day together.

Alzheimer's and Dad's Devotion

The wedding has come and gone - It was a weekend to remember! Sunni & Kevin were 'over the moon' happy. And afterall, that was the objective of the whole effort!

I'm here in New York, sorting out my feelings on my mother being admitted to a nursing home. She is in the mid to later stages of Alzheimer's disease. So I'm here for a few days trying to give my Dad the support he desperately needs at this time of his life. He made the decision to put his wife of 64 years there last week. His affection and concern for her are almost overwhelming; his tenderness is heartbreaking. I think he just doesn't know what to do with himself, other than be with her almost every waking moment. He's not getting the rest or break he needs to keep himself healthy.

He did however, start back at 'work' on Monday. He works three days a week at an upscale department store, fixing the fixable retail items to be returned to the floor - or sold as is. At least, that's what I think he does! The benefits to him are obvious - the few hours keep his mind off his wife's sad state, and put him in an environment of younger, healthy people who work retail, the trade he was in his whole working life. So that's a good thing.

Prognosis for Mom? It can't be good. It's a progressive disease, with little hope of turning back, especially in her physical condition. What will happen next? It's anyone's guess, really. My sister and Dad are looking into a nicer place. That would help, although at this late stage, it seems she's getting the care she needs right there, without the trauma of moving her again. But it certainly would be a nicer environment. Whether or not she'd actually know the difference is a moot point. But it probably would make Dad and certainly my sister happier with the surroundings.

The future is uncertain for any of us. For Dad, it's essential that he take care of himself now. For without him, my mother could not survive.

Travel in My Life

The last five years of retirement have been nothing if not a huge adjustment (on SO many levels!). It would be fair to say that my personality is very different today than in 'working mode.' But one of the job 'benefits' which will stay with me always, was the international travel involved with my career. Here are a few of my stops along the way, most of them made several times over:

Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Mainland China, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Canada and countless venues in the USA.

Travel leaves indelible footprints on your soul.

Home, Sweet Home!

Thankfully, Daughter Sunni has returned safely from her China trip. We are grateful for her safe return. She is pictured with several of the Project Leaders of the product lines she is responsible for. Now that the China trip is complete, Sunni only has one thing left...Planning her May wedding!