The next two segments of our trip could have no better name than "Extravagant Welcomes". In Pennsylvania old and new friends and a scurry of winsome Shih Tzus, and then a better-than-expected reunion at Swarthmore College, on spectacular grounds (complete with a quirky blue tree) welcomed us.
Then on to Delaware and the Mid Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ in Newark.The service on Sunday morning was beautiful,organized by the New Ark UCC, and felt most welcoming. I learned there that originally the name of the city had been New Ark. Aha!
New Jersey flashed by with pine barrens, and stretches of grey oak trees - denuded by gypsy moths? Anyway, I enjoyed a visit with a son and his family, and then into the big city.
I am not naturally a city person, but this turned out to be a beautiful weekend with another son and his family. Did you know there is a playground overlooking the
Hudson River where you can get up close and personal with hippos? We also took a picnic to "The Stone Barns" in Pocantico Hills, where story book clouds overhead and poison ivy underfoot graced our visit with cows, chickens, high tech greenhouses, a charming dooryard garden, and a Great Pyrenees guarding a flock of sheep.
I promised to explain how Peachy's name came about. When I first had a chance to drive this VW Eurovan, I was impressed, and commented to myself, "You drive like a peach." Thinking back as to why something good merited the term "peachy", I realized that was the endearment by which my grandfather called my grandmother. A good name. So, my compasnion on this trip became "Peachy".
This post and the photo of the original Peachy, Isabel Floyd-Jones Jones, come to you courtesy of my hosts in Maine, since this seems to be a spot unavailable to cell phones - more of the "Extravagant Welcomes." Thank you friends!
Hopefully I will catch up this coming week. Until then, Shalom.
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