YEAH, I'M FROM OHIO!

Anthony & Mom

You CAN go home again!  And see family, family and more family! Enroute to Ohio, I really looked forward to spending time with Mom & Anthony, seeing my brother Carl and his wife, Brenda, and all kinds of relatives; catching up with all my Sistas... cousins and close friends.  Lots of visiting, eating great food, no stress, lots of emphasis on relaxation!
                
A most memorable "aha" moment came when  I met a special little boy who lives next door to my mom. Vinnie is 18 months old, and each and every time he saw us, he would smile a big smile, wave and enthusiastically say "HI!.... HI! HI! HI!" And each time he did, it made me smile and this had to be one of the sweetest highlights of my entire Ohio visit. "Hi Vinnie!" I would say, and I would wave back. He really touched my heart. Just think if we could all be like that to everyone, all the time. What a wonderful world it would be...

Westside Market

Some of the highlights of our Ohio trip were:

• cool temperatures
• the beautiful rolling hills, green farmlands complete with red barns and silos
• fresh produce, esp. peaches & the sweetest most tender corn
• did I mention COOL temperatures, like 60 and 70 degrees
• shopping at Westside Market in Cleveland (where Mom's neighbor, Terry, has a booth where he sells fresh chicken where members of his family have been vendors for 100 years)
• homemade cooking (thanks to Mom), like peach crostada, apple pie, peach crisp, banana nut and zucchini bread, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, city chicken, chicken pot pie, brautwurst...can you say, YUM! (Glynn & I are NOT dieting!)
• a couple of lovely rainy days and cooler temperatures
• of course at least one trip to Amish country, to eat great food at the Hartville Kitchen

I often have this Norman Rockwell scene in my head of my family gatherings and have finally realized it is best not have that vision. This year was somewhat different and lots of wonderful family moments were shared. These pictures reflect just a smallest portion of our family gatherings.

The Sky-Way Drive-In was popular when my Aunt Joyce & Uncle Larry were in high school. Stopped by their house to visit after my burger here.

                        This is my nephew Shawn and  his one year old daughter, Sydney.  We went to her First Birthday party, but it was hot outside! So a few of us didn't smile as much as we usually do!

(L-R) Jackie & me; Carl & Eva; me, Jackie, Kim & Lovie; Minnie-Carl

We enjoyed visiting a bunch of relatives.  I especially enjoyed reconnecting with people I haven't seen for a long long time: the Walsh Family: cousins John & Kim, Aunt Fran & Uncle Jack (and kids, w/their kids), Ruth & Malcolm (Kim's parents), and seeing my Sista cousin Jackie & her bro Kevin. In North Canton, we got to see Aunts Darlene & Raelynn & cousin Debbie.  It is always fun to see Carl & Brenda and get to know Beth & Andy & their kids; and Shawn & Erin, Justin & Lori & their families.

"Wise Choice Livin' The Dream"

I got to see one of my best friends, Deb Suman, the closest of Sistas for 35 years.  She has a new baby... which would be, of course, another one of my nephews.  A four-legged nephew puppy named Lance (birth/show name under the pic).  What a joy to behold!  He is entering the world of dog shows, so let's be on the watch for a winner in our midst.  Here is his picture after he won his first award "Best in Match".  He is a Bouvier des Flandres and a beautiful handsome boy!

Carl, Brenda & Glynn

It truly was wonderful to be home again, back in familial surroundings, visiting family, seeing kids that are growing up. That's what I miss the most living in Texas. So I keep coming back to visit when I can, even though it's been sometimes 4-10 years. We didn't get to see everyone, but we sure tried. I love checking in with my roots and visiting the stomping grounds where I grew up, and the relatives and friends who grew up with me.

Now we are headed to North Carolina, where we want to plant new roots some day, and see our family who live there. We are heading South with the geese and the humming birds, on the road again!