Life in Community

     Arriving at Tel Hai Retirement Community has been a homecoming of sorts. After teaching four seasons of memoir writing workshops, I have many friends here. Familiar faces are everywhere. It's made the transition easy.
     I must admit that having dinner prepared and available every night is a treat. The food is good, too. I find that the absence of junk food in the house has even helped me lose a few pounds! I'd been warned about the "Tel Hai Ten" (cousin to the "Freshman Fifteen"), so this is a good thing.
     Snowstorms have disrupted routines, but people adjust. We had a phone call from one of the staff asking if we'd eaten yesterday afternoon. Turned out that they were getting the staff home early, so they served dinner from 2 - 4 instead of the usual times. We had fifteen minutes to get down there, but we made it and were happy with the fare. They do fish really well here -- crusted tilapia was on the menu, and supremely delicious.
     The  big challenge we face this week is trying to fit everything I brought from the condo into the apartment. So many books!! But there is a place for redundant items: a flea market which runs several times a year. We have many items designated for donation, and are happy to know that the proceeds go to a fund that cares for folks whose resources are depleted.  
     I'm still getting used to being married. It's wonderful!

Wedding day Photos

It has taken a while for me to recover from the festivities! Here are a few of the wedding day photos, these courtesy of Donn Shires, who did a fantastic job of capturing the many moments that made up that never-to-be-forgotten day.

Patty and Laura with Mom

Sarah, Emily, and Katie
Beautiful granddaughters!

Tom — before the wedding

Father John Francis, Tom and Jodie,
the best man 

Olivia

My sister Dorothy

Jim walks me down the aisle

Who gives this woman?

Patty reads

Exchanging vows

Vows and rings

Dan Varner plays and sings

Singing "Forever Young"

Flautist

Donna listens

Mr. and Mrs. McLay bring the
elements for the Eucharist

Jim, olivia, Alyssa, Tess and Haley

At the Eucharist

Leaving the church