Crossing Paths

You know the simplest things amaze me like the idea that two people from anywhere on earth can plan to meet at a certain place and time and, if they both keep their respective ends of the bargain, their paths will converge. It totally belies that old Maine expression, "You can't get theah from heah."

Sometimes it takes a lot of planning and a lot of aiming to be "on the same page." Deanna and I knew that we needed to exchange cell phone numbers for sure. ♥Cell phones.♥ What did we ever do without them?

Late Afternoon at the Lake

So there John and I were at the appointed time and place when the phone call came. Exciting! They were about thirty minutes away. We both felt that we had time to head for the nearest apple orchard for a gallon of cider. Thirsty travelers would like a drink we were sure. We were back in twenty minutes with plenty of time to wait those final few moments.

Another call came where just some minor direction tweaks were required. I told them to aim for "Center Street." My accent being what it is, Deanna thought that I meant "Senta Street." ☺☺☺

(Listen, about this accent thing. There are two communities in Maine that have a pronounced Down East accent. John grew up in one of them. [The Rabes traveled through the other on their way to their Maine overnight stay — Turnah.] I had no accent when I married John. None. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)

Just as my attention span lapsed...

Oh Look at this Rock!

our paths converged!

John Leads the Way to Greet our Guests

Now I had forgotten all about Deanna's birthday, and here she stood with a gift in hand for me. Well, it did feel a little like my birthday, too, what with the excitement and all.

Tea towels and the book God Planted Five Seeds by Jean Dye Johnson. It is the story of missionaries to Bolivia who were slain in 1943. Obviously, Deanna has been paying close attention to my kitchen and my reading of late. Thanks so much for the gifts, Deanna. The tea towels now have a place of honor on my oven door. It's a spot reserved for the very best ones. The book is atop the new reading pile; we're on a roll now.

And here are the Creekside Cottage Kids...

Aren't they a great looking group? Let's see if I can remember their names, they'll correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure. In the bottom left photo, from left to right front row...Kyle, Sarah, Emily. Back row on either side of Emily are Lindsay and Rachel peeking out around. They were truly very patient. No one wants to have his or her picture taken over and over and my camera is just giving me fits.

Kyle is so cute and well behaved and sweet natured in every way. At one point, as Deanna and I were chatting away, I felt a tug, tug, tug on my sleeve. Kyle politely wanted to know where my family was. By that time, I think he was hoping that I had a kid in the trunk. I said that my family was all grown up and added that I was kind of old. "Yes," he replied thoughtfully, "I can tell." Oh the honesty of children! John and I have laughed and laughed over that. (Pssssst, Kyle, they're right over there in my sidebar.)

Now I left Deanna's beautiful mother and handsome dad out of the picture taking as well as a good friend who was along for the ride. I don't know how used to being blog fodder they are and would not have presumed to decide for them. It was a pleasure, however, to meet them as well. John and Deanna's father had a nice time chatting. You can see a lovely photo of Deanna and her mother on Deanna's post about her Maine visit. (Just ignore the whacky lady wearing green corduroy with her hair flying all around her head. I.am.so.going.to.get.it.lopped. off. The hair not the head.)

This is a sneaky, rotten trick to play on married folks when you aren't sure they are smiling their best or most naturally for you. I play it all the time and I'm going to prove that it works.

Here are Deanna and her husband Tim, a good looking couple if ever there was one...

Pleasant expressions and all. Still... so I said, "Say, you two might try to look as if you loved each other."

See? It never fails!

All too soon our visit was over. Who knows when our paths will converge again? Have a wonderful New England vacation, Creekside Cottagers!

Heading Out in Tandem (See the little red caboose?)

Are Those Two Still Grinning?

Keep Your Eyes Open, Tim!

♪ Happy Trails to you... ♫

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