Virginia visit

PJ and I traveled to Virginia for a January week, and had our typical ridiculously fine time.

via GIPHY

Some highlights:

Picking up Mae, and related adventures - this was a fine trip-within-a-trip - our DC flight landed early evening on Friday 12 January; K&L picked us up at the airport; we head directly to Richmond for a sleepover as part of a dog-nabbing expedition. K drives us through pretty much steady-driving rain (though temps are rather warm).  Richmond may look a bit the worse for wear, but we definitely can see that it would be a worthwhile place for a longer visit.  We check in - "The Graduate Hotel" - nice, definitely not a chain.  K&L had reserved a table at a delightful little restaurant that was still serving dinner as we near 11p ("Saison") - fits the bill perfectly  - among other treats, we are a fan of beers from a local brewery named "The Veil," and we (wisely, as it turns out) make a note of the place.  After:  nobody wanted a pillow fight so we just went to bed.

Perly's breakfast - yes.

Breakfast on Saturday (13 January) is at Perly's - downtown delicatessen recommended by Tom/Kellen - it was wonderful.  And the portions were immense, which turned out to be a good thing since we didn't really eat again for say 12 hours. Then we hit the road for the breeder's place in Spring Hope, North Carolina.

Puppy selection successfully completed.

PJ and I were included in the puppy-pickup by pure coincidence, but it sure was fun.  Have never driven through these parts, except perhaps as part of long-forgotten Glee Club touring.  So that was neat.  Have never seen a puppy breeding place - much larger than we expected (and than the website probably led one to expect) - but seems like they have things pretty well in hand.  Be that as it may - the important thing was to FIND THE RIGHT PUPPY.  There were two from which to choose - helpfully marked with a dab of blue and pink paint, respectively - Blue had some charms and started strong in the interview process; but soon was outstripped by Pinkie, who featured a floppy right ear and a rather delightful little personality. In the end, the choice was pretty easy - Pinkie was sent off to the clean-up zone, Blue was relegated to the next-in-line dog-chooser (a kindly lady with whom K&L exchanged digits so that the sisters could remain in touch), K&L did some adoption business, and "Mae Westie" (fka Pinkie) was officially theirs!

Quick clean-up of Pinkie; shortly followed by formal introduction of Mae Westie.

OK now we have a long drive home.  Stopped at Starbucks for caffeine, and for MW to do some business.  We received a free slushy/smoothy type drink that looked promising but was immediately dumped on the floor of the car between the seats (sad sad). MW handled the car ride well, as did each of the adults. To keep up our strength we pull off in Richmond and visit The Veil. Things are different with new-pup in tow, and PJ volunteered to wait in the car with MW; they seemed to get along famously.  K&L and me are pretty happy with what The Veil is doing.

Road warriors.

Then we finish the road trip, order in some food, try to figure out MW's sleep arrangements, play a bunch of Five Crowns, and pretty much enjoy recapping a really-really fun trip-within-a-trip.

Seeing area friends - PJ and I always enjoy seeing K&L's fine DC-area friends - on this visit, this happened primarily on Sunday evening.  The usual suspects showed up in force and ready for fun; all met and played with MW; lots of chatter; interesting beers; we ordered in pizza; semi-monitored NFL playoff games (featuring Mike/Ally/Palmer departing moments before a miracle Vikings finish); followed by Five Crowns (me benefiting from Kellen's inadvertent largess); and that was pretty much it for a fine evening.

With Mike, Ally, Palmer

Late-night Five Crowns with this crew.

Pedro and Maga happened to be in town when we were.  And we took advantage by fitting in two get-togethers.  Item 1:  the six of us gathered for dinner at Le Diplomate on Monday evening - great food (in the same booth where we dined back in October); great company.  Item 2:  we (with MW in tow) drove out to the Rossello homestead for dinner on Wednesday evening.  Manny & Kristen happened to be in town.  As you might imagine, this grouping made for a fine/fun evening.  Maga's cooking was pretty wonderful.  Somehow we failed to take photos (or I failed to collect them).  What would have been even more valuable:  video, even audio, of Luis's persistent sniper-ish commentary at the dinner table - not sure I've heard him funnier, which is saying something.  We suspect Manny's influence was partly to blame (or credit)?

Lots of this kind of action by
our intrepid new owners.

Doggie management.  Getting everything lined up with the new pup was a major activity of the week (I contributed little value).  Constant "walk the dog" trips to the backyard by K&L; as temperatures plummeted, this was impressively responsible behavior. (OK we also had to clean up messes occasionally, though they were rather small messes.)  Trips to the vet (where MW was appropirately fawned over, I'm told) and the trainer; visits from the dog walkers; testing food, toys, sleep patterns and location (downstairs?  nope, MBR), etc. They definitely found a nice/cute pooch.

Hanging out at the house. We did this a lot, due to MW and the weather - and we enjoyed it a lot.  K&L house is cozy; our downstairs quarters are ideal; I had a fair amount of work left over from recent transactions, and it was pleasant to sit in that well-lit kitchen area and kind of work but also keep an eye on everything.  Many Five Crowns games.  Consistently good food & beers.  Unfailingly pleasant.

Westover is a fine neighborhood place.

Puppy scenes.  I'd never been around a pooch this teensie.

Neighborhood stuff.  Notwithstanding prior paragraph, we did get to most of the local favorites - Peruvian chicken; Lyon Hall lunch with K; Westover for fine beers and those glorious pulled pork nachos; etc.

My assistant.

Office visit.  We also stopped by K's office on Thursday - it was nice to see with our own eyes the high regard in which she is held, and how warmly folks interact with her.  Difficult line - to be professionally successful/respected yet likable on a personal level - not surprisingly, she seems to be finding it.  We are proud.

The week absolutely flew by.  It was kind of sad to say goodbye after being together pretty regularly the past few months, and with a few months ahead prior to the next flurry of visits.  But it's a lucky thing to feel that way.

Until next time (airport drop) . . . 

EMG turns 89

For whatever reason I haven't greeted my dad with an online "happy birthday" here since he turned 8-5 in 2014 . . . well, he's turning 8-9 this year - so I think it's time for a fresh birthday greeting.

We're delighted that he continues going strong . . . I'd say that the EMG "year 8-8" highlight for we here in Arizona was that he traveled out here for both of the 2017 weddings.  Pretty much the only representative of that generation, and it's just important, and a blessing, to have him in attendance.

And there are photos to prove it (a few included here). 

It's a lucky thing to have a great father.  Happy Birthday, Dad!

I much like this photo of EMG alongside  Chris & Dharma - EMG wearing
the suit and tie in which he was married on 19 February 1952.  The photographer 
(Patrick) holds the 1952 wedding portrait in the foreground.  
And yes we missed having mom here.

Grandparent - and godfather - for Kerry; with godmother Carol.

The next-gen folks enjoyed hanging out with EMG at both weddings; this is taken just before
he headed to the airport (complete with Floppy-wave send-off) following C&D wedding in November.

At both weddings, EMG led those present in saying grace before dinner (at the wedding reception for Kerry & Luis; at the rehearsal dinner for Dharma & Chris).  As I understand it, the current formulation goes back around 100 years and trust me - when I hear it, I'm hearing those in the room plus voices of Ernest J and Veronica; Mike & Minnie; my mom; etc.  Audio-challenged in the version below, but I'm grateful Patrick caught it.