Chris’s new puppy, Dash.
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“Thus far this trip has been one of the most amazing experiences…there is nothing like being your own boss in a foreign country. “

No, we haven’t heard a word from Matthew or Cel.

It’s about midnight and we just returned from her fiftieth birthday celebration. I met them both while working on their condo and they were kind enough to invite us to her party. Here’s the slideshow and the rest of the smaller image.

Last night at Scupper Jacks.

Diane: “ I can’t believe we forgot.”

Me: “I remembered when I was in Evansville. I debated waiting to give you those earrings until today.”

Diane: “I’m full up. There’s no room left.”

Me: “The last two days have been Matthew and not much else. And, I guess, Linda too. If someone at work hadn’t asked you what day it was, we’d a missed it entirely.”

Matt and Cel. Fill us in… .
And Matt, I sent Dash’s email address to your AB account.

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Yesterday, Joe and Robby were here to see Matt off, and Joe said something like, “Have fun in Europe.” That’s when it sunk-in for me, and, I believe, for Matt because on the drive to airport he kept saying, “I’m going to wake up in a foreign country?” (The blessings of an exam tired youth meant sleep on the plane). How had we taken this trip so casually? Because it’s not Nicaragua? Because he has already flown (take a guess at the number *) since he was born?

We arrived at the airport early and after a steak and cheese sandwich and an IBC root beer Matt said, “I’m going.”

“But you don’t have to go through security for forty minutes. Your plane doesn’t leave for an hour and a half.” I tried to hold him back.

“I’m going.”

“No you’re not. You’re staying with us for another forty minutes.”

Two hugs later and he was a mere ghost passing through security.

Godspeed, my son, and don’t forget to visit Dash.

(*35. I boarded my first plane at twenty-one)

Matt holds the door at the Quarterdeck restaurant for Flo et al while pondering how heíll have time to hang with us, study for his final final, take the test, pack and be ready by 2 PM for his trip to Logan and Barcelona.

Sunday’s barbecue at the Finlays.

It was a cloudy, dreary, rainy day – killer conditions for my little Nikon – but here’s Charlie’s graduation in pictures and a slideshow. Though I did receive help, I take responsibility for all the captions.

Linda, Diane’s cousin, comes to town and right away springs Flo from the confines of Concord Park. First, she takes Flo to Village Video to say hi to a startled Matt, and then stops by our house and after a short visit, drives off to bingo in Maynard. Flo hasn’t looked so healthy in months.