Category: Fun

Forty-one years ago, Helen and I purchased a small home in one of those idyllic neighborhoods that you read about in children’s books.  The majority of the homeowners were couples about our age with small children. We felt free to let those children play in the streets, the woods, and the creek from daylight to dark with little concern, because a caring Mom was watching over them at all times…usually undetected.

Out of the experience, we developed some great friends from that group of families. We have had the good fortune of watching many of the children from that neighborhood develop into responsible parents and citizens with confidence gained from growing up in loving surroundings. Although we moved to another home after twenty-one blessed years, we have maintained contact with many of those folks and their children to this day.

Helen and five of the neighborhood Moms have traveled to Hilton Head, SC on a “can’t miss” gal-pal trip for nearly forty years. Nine years ago, we decided that we should host those Moms and their mates for dinner. The idea was that the husbands could catch up while the ladies plan their next trip and re-live a few of the old ones. Fortunately, the evening went so well that, it too, has grown into an annual event we call the “Meatloaf Dinner.” I shared this event on Easin’ Along both in 2017 and 2018 because I treasure both the experience and the people. Besides, I cook a pretty mean meatloaf.

Helen and I try to liven up the party with something fun before dinner to get everyone in a jocular mood. We have had blind wine tastings, blind beer tastings, as well as songs and games which have been a lot of fun. This year we decided to have a “White Elephant” gift exchange and asked each couple to bring two wrapped gifts. The one restriction we put on the gifts was that each item had to come from that couple’s attic. Everyone our age has stuff they don’t need and, we’re worse than most.

About thirty minutes before dinner, it was time to let the games begin.  Helen passed a hat allowing everyone to draw a number indicating their turn at selecting a gift. There are many variations for this game but we keep it simple.  The number one person selects a gift from under our tree and unwraps it.  Number two could then either select a gift or, “steal” the gift of number one, requiring number one to select again. This process would continue through each numbered person and until number one had the final steal since that opportunity was not available at the beginning.  Under our rules, no gift could have more than two “steals.”

A lot of thought and creativity went into the wrapped gifts. Uproarious laughter erupted at many of the unwrappings and many a groan came from a gift holder when a popular gift passed into stealing hands. My friend Townsend cracked everyone up when he opened an unusual vase and had no idea what it was. That vase became advertised as stealable almost immediately–he was happy to give it up.  Priscilla stole a Tennessee Vols helmet planter. She wanted to protect it so badly that she had her husband, Tom, steal it from her thereby keeping it safely in the family. I stole Priscilla’s original gift, a jar of Moonshine-soaked Maraschino cherries.  They are now in my refrigerator (at least some of them). Helen unwrapped a puzzle she gave to someone in the group last year and ignited a laugh riot.

With the last item, including stolen ones, safely in the hands of a new owner (and on the way back to a new attic), it was dinner time.  Before we offered thanks for our meal and our friendship, we paused to pay tribute to a member of our group who left us this year, our dear friend Bob. We all agreed that Bob might not be with us in person, but we felt certain that he was watching over us, probably from a trout stream high up in the Great Beyond. I placed the Red Hat we pass every year to one of the men in our group at the top of the tree. We miss Bob mightily.

The laughter and tales of the old neighborhood and the antics of our children continued well into the night and long after Beth served a desert of Peppermint ice cream and home-made cookies. Anne gave everyone a gift of crosses made in pottery class and took a few orders for a few more. Then came the long goodbyes.

 

At this time of the year it is easy to get swept up in the frenetic busyness of the season. A pause to spend time with friends and loved ones is essential for Helen and me to get through it all and charge the batteries for what is yet to come. We’re on our way to California for time with the grandchildren and may put Easin’ Along on hold for a few weeks.  I’ll share a picture or two from a surfside setting if I get the chance.

We send warm wishes to everyone for the Merriest Christmas ever.  We’re Easin’ Along for now–our stockings filled with the gift of friendship.

  

This past weekend was one of those perfect fall days that we have often in East Tennessee. The temperatures hovered in the low 60’s; the trees in our mountains gave off a bright palette of Fall color, and wispy clouds hung low against a backdrop of soft blue sky. The record heat of October was nothing more than a bad memory. East Tennesseans flocked to the outdoors and Helen and I wasted no time joining them.

We had an invitation to join some friends for two nights at a family cabin in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains. For over two weeks, I had spent the vast majority of my time in a recliner icing a knee healing from joint replacement. Although I was not yet rid of the persistent soreness, I felt certain that some fresh mountain air was the perfect prescription for rapid recovery.  We left shortly after church on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon and into the evening most of the activity centered around cooking and casual conversation beside a roaring fire in a massive stone fireplace. A grilled steak chased by a fine Cabernet provided a great beginning to the healing process. A solid night’s sleep under a down comforter added extra fuel.

Monday morning, Veteran’s Day, we decided over a late breakfast to spend the afternoon hiking along the trails at nearby Blackberry Farm, an exclusive mountain resort. I was not yet ready for hiking, but I could use one of the resort’s golf carts to meander along the walkways…perfect.  I took my camera; the day was too good to miss the photo ops.

The first stop on this outing was the puppy barn where Blackberry breeds and shelters the Italian Lagatto Romagnolo hunting and water dog. This loveable breed that resembles a smaller Cockapoo, is also known for its ability to locate truffles. Tom Della Tre, the original Blackberry Farm Lagatto Romagnolo, was a master truffle hunter, and his offspring eagerly welcomed our group as we entered the shelter. One of the attendants told us that the waiting list for a puppy extended out five years and the price was well into the thousands. They are cute, but I decided to get my Truffles at Whole Foods instead.

Much of the produce served at the Blackberry dining facility comes from a large garden near the puppy barn.  We visited the garden, but, with the growing season nearing its end, most of the remaining crop was kale and a root crop we couldn’t identify.  We enjoyed chatting with one of the gardeners while taking in the gorgeous scenery on the hillside above the garden.

The trail away from the garden led to a streamside pavilion. Adjacent to the pavilion, a warming fire burned in a large fire pit where a group of ladies gathered to read books and chat.  We decided it was a Mom’s weekend getaway. Helen walked over to say hello and congratulate them for picking such a lovely spot to spend an afternoon. It was an easy choice.  The pavilion, the stream and the view looking toward the mountains on a crisp fall day is as delightful a setting, both pastoral and as picturesque, as any I can remember.

We left the ladies to their reading and Helen and I drove the cart up the hill toward the lodge. Our friends walked behind us.  At the top of the hill, I took the pictures seen here. By looking closely at one of them, our friends can be seen meandering up the trail in optimal conditions for a stroll on a fall day.

Later that afternoon, one couple, having to work the next day, drove home, and another arrived to take their place.  The latest arrivals brought news that snowfall would arrive before dawn. On a day like the one we enjoyed, snow did not seem possible.  We don’t get snow in November. We felt that the forecast would change as it always does in these mountains, and settled in for an outstanding dinner of spaghetti and homemade Bolognese sauce with fresh carrots and crispy bread.  The fire roared in the den behind us.

The weather forecast proved correct for a change and, by dawn, a light coat of fresh snow covered both and tree limbs and the ground outside our windows. The scene was in sharp contrast to the day before, but pretty nonetheless. Unfortunately, the time had come for us to say goodbye to our friends. The roads were clear and our return trip through the countryside offered up a few outstanding snow scenes. A couple of horses, shown below, hovered near a barn as if waiting for someone to bring them a blanket. I felt for them.

We had a great weekend and, as we were Easin’ Along toward Knoxville, I suddenly realized…my knee felt better. The prescription worked.

I did something this week that I have never done in my life.  I completed a crossword puzzle. Actually, I completed four crossword puzzles. If it sounds strange that a word hound like me would never attempt such a task, I can explain.  I’m not very good at sitting still for extended periods. I think it is the same reason that I don’t play card games or do very well fishing from a boat. This old boy needs to be moving or at least actively engaged if confined to a chair. Playing poker for pennies or wading a stream for rainbow trout I can do…bridge is not my game.

This week I am recovering from knee replacement surgery.  Although I am doing well, the process is tortuous for someone averse to remaining still.  The act of sitting is especially difficult in the early stages of recovery because I have to keep my leg straight for long periods and apply ice at regular intervals.  Blogging is made difficult with these restrictions because sitting at a desk with one straight leg is very uncomfortable for me, and typing on a laptop from a recliner is equally challenging.

Patience is the real issue. Every morning I ask the Good Lord to send me some, but the problem is that I can’t sit still long enough for His patience to reach me. No more whining, I promise. The fact that worn-out knees and hips are replaceable is a blessing and, with time and a good regimen of therapy, everything should be on the path to normal.

This week’s chapter of Easin’ Along will again be short.  After getting caught up on all the magazines I accumulated over the summer, I tried to focus on something interesting to share with readers; a task not made easy on pain medications. I’m off the pain meds as of Thursday but the activity level remains low. About all I can do is think about what I would rather be doing if I were somewhere besides a recliner or the bedroom.

I’ve been here and I don’t want to do that anymore.

 

I would much rather be preparing for a road trip.

 

How about a morning walk to see the sunrise?

I don’t consider this fishing, it’s more like good buddies having a morning coffee session.  At the least, I can walk to the water’s edge to cast a line or retrieve a catch.

I’ve thought a lot about a trip to peek at the fall colors—maybe next week.

Pork shoulders on the grill…who wouldn’t want to wade into some good barbeque?

I’m having a good time thinking about winning The Ultimate Tailgate Camper. I love this picture of Helen’s non-stop excitement.

Speaking of the new camper, I also wanted to share the video of our prize-winning moment and have posted it below. I almost HAD to sit after this one, but managed to lean on Helen (and my cane) to stay upright.

These are just a few of the many things I focus on while sitting idle in my recliner. Thanks for letting me share them with you and for Easin’ Along with me as I continue to heal. I have to ice my knee now.  See you next week.