Halloween and the passing of John Osborn

Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Trick or Treat...
The day when the veil between the world of the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest.

Today, even I would have to believe that. My girlfriend Gina's stepfather stepped across at 2:55 this morning. He turned 84 this past Saturday. John was a good man. A quiet man by most accounts. I think we were all of 14 when John and Ruth married. Seems so very long ago now.

John was a lucky man in many ways. He spent these past couple of months getting the chance to repeatedly say goodbye to his family. Two months ago he was at death's door and then as quickly, pulled back. I guess God wasn't done with him yet. That additional few weeks has been a blessing to his family and to him. They all got to say what was truly important and he had the opportunity to tell his stories to the up and coming generation. That's a priceless gift to any grandchild. I know.

So, today I fondly remember John Osborn for a life well lived.
'To live in the hearts we leave behind, is not to die'
We'll miss you Poppa John, but in our hearts, you'll live on for many, many more years.

Absolutely Incredible

This is a photo of The Breakers, one of those 'summer cottages' out in Newport. You've heard the phrase 'Newport in season'? Well, the season where these absolutely incredible mansions were occupied consisted of a mere eight to ten weeks a summer. Yep. That's it.

The Society of 400, as coined by Mrs. Astor, were some of society's wealthiest and influential movers and shakers at the turn of the last century. In this instance, the home was the summer residence of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. He and the family picked up, packed up the house in New York (with the help of some 40 staff of course) and trekked out to the summer house to see and be seen.

You know, this place was beyond words. It's hard enough to conceive that the house was built in just 19 months, but what is harder to wrap the mind around is the sheer opulence. OMG. I could sit here for the next hour and barely touch on the highlights of the mansion without doing justice to the exquisite beauty and masterpiece of some of the rooms. Indescribable. Let's just say it took my breath away.

Now, what really is hard to fathom, is the society of the age. Knowing this house was a second home for a wealthy industrialist is one thing, but the grandeur and presence of the place coupled with a knowledge of the money that was involved in terms of a 1900's dollar is a staggering thing to process. Now think about that in terms of the common man making cents a day during that era. Blows the mind.

I think probably Donald Trump would be the one person in today's America who could compete with this type of over the top estate. Oh, sure, there are stars worth a pretty penny and I'm sure there are other billionaires that just don't make as big a show of their wealth, but frankly, I don't think such art and craftsmanship exists in this America. Today's world is all about the techno gadgets.

The America at the turn of the prior century was all about art and culture. The Breakers is a sterling example of that. It's a slice of history frozen in time.

Cheers: Good friends tackle Rhode Island

These are my friends Evelyn and Sally with me in the middle, saluting friendships. Really, that could be a toast to sisters because we're just about that close. Like me, they also have only child status (as do several of us in our group) so it makes times like this extra special.

Actually, the toast was to the extraordinary actress whose career ultimately led us to each other through the internet. But, there were several toasts made that day and I know for certain ONE was to sisters!

Look at those smiling faces. Could you tell we were having a good time? Hey, how could we not?! Good company, good food, obviously good drink, shopping and sight seeing...the list goes on and on.

I reflect on these weekends away, how much fun we have together, and how incredibly intertwined our lives have become. These are not 'internet friends' but real, honest to God, loving sisters. Together, we've managed both coasts this year and have had a blast both times.

And there are more adventures for the Legion in the years to come. Mark my words.

Rhode Island part 2

So, I told you about the trip to RI. Fabulous. You really should experience the beauty of the state. I've been there when it's been dreary and I've been when the sky and ocean could not be bluer. I recommend the latter, unless you're writing a murder mystery of a haunting story of some nature, then a gray day would be perfect.





This trip was made with my girlfriends. Our annual 'girls' weekend away'. I thought I'd post a picture or two over the next couple of days to give you a flavor of the state.



This shot was taken from a very high, rocky outcropping that my girlfriends and I climbed out onto.

For you old Dark Shadows fans: remember Collinwood? It would be up the hill directly to my right. Yep, this is taken on the coast below Seaview Terrace.

Back from Rhode Island

Returned from Rhode Island just over a week ago and boy, did I have a good time! Weather was absolutely gorgeous and allowed my friends and myself the opportunity to get out an enjoy the natural beauty of the state and the coastline. The walk along the cliffwalk was magnificent. Yes, I climbed out onto the rocky outcroppings and took some incredible pictures. I'll import a few for anyone who reads this little blog-o-mine.

I occurs to me just how rare this type of opportunity is in many peoples' lives. After so many of my work associates looked at my photos, it became glaringly clear. Most of my friends are stuck in the rut of habitually going to one or two places on their yearly vacations and don't venture beyond to explore anything new. Whereas I go on these jaunts to interesting locations with my girlfriends and get to see the world.

All because of a 40 year old gothic horror soap opera and one of its stars. Who would have believed it? And who would have thought that this star, dead some twenty years now, would bring a dozen women so close through the power of the internet?

All I can say is that I've gained a dozen sisters and am amazingly blessed.

Too long absent

It's been a long time since I've posted a blog. No excuse other than I got lazy. But, today I have news to share with whoever may be lurking. My daughter Laura is now the new pastry chef for Fork and Fork etc. in Philadelphia. Proud Mom? But of course! I knew Lars had the talent and the passion and I'm very happy to see her rewarded for the efforts. Not too shabby for a child that left home just over three years ago to move 500 miles away to pursue her dreams. Was it just three years ago? Seems like three lifetimes sometimes. But, I know she could never have gotten to this point in her life if she hadn't taken that first big step. It could not and would not have happened in Central Ohio. It's an entirely different world on the eastern seaboard. I guess that is why I love the city of Philly. It's a small city inside a big city and opportunities exist on all levels.

So, that's my big moment of the week. Lars, when you read this, remember who has long been your biggest cheerleader. Go LARS! Show them how it's done.
xo Mom