A Moveable Feast

The last couple of weeks, I’ve been sitting with family and friends at various tables, feasting at the banquet of life.
 
First, I went to Mississippi, where I served on a college accreditation team. When we weren’t visiting campus facilities, conducting interviews, and writing reports, honey child, we ate. Ain’t nothin’ in the world like Southern hospitality, and yea, verily, we were served that in spades. Ladles-full of gravy and biscuits, grits and eggs, corn fritters and fried chicken, green beans swimming in butter, blackened salmon and sweet tea…all dished up for us like we were dignitaries. And how could we possibly say no? (Want a biscuit, darlin’? Here, try one — and grab a chicken leg while you’re at it. Can’t have you goin’ hungry…All y’all got important work to do, mmm hmmm!)
 
Then, I traveled on to New York for a family wedding – a lovely evening ceremony at a yacht club in Long Island. We marveled at an enormous harvest moon whose reflection shattered into jagged shards as it hit the ocean waves crashing against the dock. After the bride and groom said their vows, drinks flowed freely as we all noshed on decadent, abundant appetizers. Incredibly, we were also served a late-night dinner, for which I had not one tiny bit of room. Most importantly, we shared love around our table (1st picture). I’ll feast on those memories forever.
 
One of the yummiest experiences I had on the East Coast was the much more casual breakfast I shared with Pamela Ross (writerross) at Mundays Cafe in Huntington, New York. It’s a charming little diner — burgundy benches, old oak trim everywhere, and an abrupt but adorable New York waiter whom we cajoled into taking our picture (3rd one down). We were so caught up in conversation that we hardly noticed our food. What an amazing and affirming woman Pamela is: chock-full of wonderful experiences, stories, and wisdom! We wandered randomly from topic to topic, but on each, we found a connection; how apt, then, that she dubbed us “old/new friends.” It gave me shivers to discover how much we already have in common, and though I already savor our friendship, I know it’ll grow even more delightful over time.
 
I also got together with Robyn Schneider (robbiewriter) and “boyfriendly” Leo in a Dean & DeLuca coffee shop tucked inside the Columbia Circle Borders in Manhattan.  How lovely, to sit and chat with a treasured friend, and how wonderful to see her so happy! I am especially glad that she’s enjoying the company of someone who obviously adds a new and special spice to her life – a man with whom she can share all her delicious successes. Mazel tov, my old and new friends (2nd photo)!
 
After a leisurely and lovely day in rural Connecticut, I took the train down to crazy-busy Manhattan to have lunch with Emily Saladino, my agent (5th photo). And the first day after my return home to Orange County, I put on my glass slippers and finery and headed to Newport Beach for a fashion show/luncheon extravaganza. I think I’ll save those stories for another post, though, as I’m hungry and ready for breakfast. Nothing fancy, mind you, just an energy bar and a pot of hazelnut/vanilla coffee brewed just the way I like it. Later, I’ll probably simmer a pot of chicken noodle soup on the stove, to help quash the cootie bugs that followed me home.

Though I loved each one of my adventures and adore my co-adventurers, I’m happy to be relaxing at home today with my husband and kitties, an afghan draped over my lap. After a long while away, there’s nothing more scrumptious than this.

14 Comments

    • I would love that Sara! Strike the ‘maybe’ and substitute ‘will,’ because we’re going to make it happen — hopefully sooner rather than later. One caveat: with winter coming on, it makes more sense to get together here, where it’s warm, agreed?

  3. Sounds as if you had a wonderful time. I admire your endurance in traveling to so many places and visiting with so many people. No wonder the cooties followed you home. Hope you’re already feeling better.

  4. Welcome back, friend!

    Have I told you how much I relish the creative spin of literary phrases or book titles that you put into your blog post titles?

    Did I even think about how confusing that last question was?

  6. You wrote: Though I loved each one of my adventures and adore my co-adventurers, I’m happy to be relaxing at home today with my husband and kitties, an afghan draped over my lap. After a long while away, there’s nothing more scrumptious than this.

    I understand that sentiment well – even without the husband and kitties. Traveling is on the top of my list of ‘favorite things to do’…but coming home is always the ‘best’ part of the trip.

  7. You must have gotten them cootie bugs in the Northeast cause we don’t let them get out of the South. They are great fried. LOL :0)

    • You are hilarious, Papa Dan!

      By the way, did you notice the nod I gave to you in the acknowledgments section of my SisterDiva post yesterday — and in the actual article online? Thanks for your advice; as always, I knew I could count on you Southerners to lend a helping hand. 🙂

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