(loaded up and ready to leave with a note for Norman)
Our day! Long and tiring, wonderful and worth every moment. It had been a whole year since we three had gathered. Sharing our progress via text msgs on the way -not while driving, of course - added to the excitement, especially since Laura and I, in separate cars, were both caught in a traffic backup caused by a) road work and b) an accident.
Kathy was already on the eastern shore, awaiting us... I arrived at our destination, about 30 minutes past due - and there she was, patiently waiting. (Kathy and I have known each other for 16 years - we first met on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Ocean Pines, a small city just outside Ocean City. I was conducting a 4-days' training program for new library employees and Kathy was there to observe. She works in Delaware and they were thinking of duplicating the training there...which they did and Kathy and I did the training for ten years). Every time Kathy and I meet, we take a photo of one another taking a photo of one another. Here are this year's:
Kathy
Honore´
Soon thereafter, Laura and Jeff (the maker of our words) arrived! Yay! Since we are library peeps, we usually meet at a library (if not our favorite B & N in Annapolis - a bookstore, so close enough, right?!)..., so natch, we decided to meet at the Lewes Public Library ... Kathy's first library job ; the library is now closed 'cause they are moving into a 27,000 sq foot new building, literally on the other side of the tracks. And oh, Laura was our virtual assistant; she lives in Florida.
(Kathy & Laura talking about the mural above their heads in the children's room of the old library)
We were lucky enough to get a tour as workman are scrambling to do all the finishing before a scheduled early June soft opening. This new building is quite the library and I'm sure the folks: lots of retirees and young families in the community are eager for the opening. Here's a peak at the interior...and what's nice is it's all on one floor!
(this is to be the stacks' area - seating will be around the perimeter of the room; a great view!)
Lewes is DE's first town and it has a charming shopping district - 2nd St. - filled with all sorts of novelty shops and eateries. Despite a negative recommendation, we decided to eat at the Cafe´Nectar and were not at all disappointed. In addition to being cleverly decorated, the menu was great. We three wound up having grilled cheese sandwich with sweet potato fries and a cup of tomato basil soup. All very good. They also had desserts to " die for." I waited and had an ice cream cone. On our way to the ice cream shoppe, saw this photo of a wine*beer*pizza place called half full...I was intrigued by its logo - my initials!
and of course, had to take a selfie!
Time to go home. We said our good byes and went our separate ways. Laura and Jeff stayed overnight in the area; Kathy lives in DE and wasn't that far from home and I drove back home. Tired yet exhilarated, I made the trip in about two hours with a quick pit stop at my fave B&N in Annapolis for a quick pick me up for the last 35 miles. Of course I bought a new book...
221 miles later, arrived home 7:49 pm, exhausted yet so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend the day with my friends. Just enough energy to shower, don my PJs and veg out in front of the TV with Norman... Hurry sundown, see what tomorrow will bring... besides more rain and grey skies.
Enjoy your evening...
Cheers~
PS. As I publish this, the sun is shining!
And as I publish this post (Fri 13 May, 7 pm) I'm happy to share that the sun is shining!