vacation

From England, a letter received from a friend of many years:  Remember the Christmas you were with us? If we could only turn back the clock!

I do remember that Christmas, of roasted meats and trifles, of walks along the Thames, and her family's gift to us, a gorgeous coffee (tea?) table book titled "English Landscapes."  To remind us, she said, of what Rich and I loved best about the countryside.

But, like all memories, the book was what the photographer wanted the countryside to be, and what we wanted to remember.  In the forward, the photographer was honest.  Exquisite views of  lakes and fens and architectural triumphs were carefully composed, devoid of imposed blight (even the palaces and churches appeared organically grown).  

This was a world without humans, or at least of the post-Neanderthal sort.

Still. It was real.

We have had ten full days home and are now on the road again for Surgery: Round Four.  It was like a vacation, Rich said.  We walked, tied up some financial matters, ate hot meals with candlelight and good wine, and even squeezed in a wonderful New Year's Day party, joined by neighbors and ex-neighbors, and friends.

Perhaps we are looking at a place that exists only in our mind, but that doesn't matter.  It's still real.

A wonderful new year to all -- 

Candace