Sylvia's Journal

A month ago Sita and Tessa told me to block off the days from December 1-4. They had planned an extended birthday party to celebrate ‘en famille’ at an undisclosed location in Maine.  It was the thing to look forward to after so much else to in our future was dominated by the unthinkable horribleness of our new administration

And so, after lunch in Manchester, we drove to the location. I was not allowed to see Sita’s phone that told her where to go. She hid it on her lap. We arrived at Commercial Street in Portland; I thought: a houseboat? But then we lined up for the ferry to Peak’s Island. It is good that my birthday is in late fall. The island was quiet and the tourists were gone, making it possible to get the car on the ferry every time.

While we were making our way to Maine, Tessa and Steve made their way across oceans and continents from New Zealand to Pembroke, NH. She joined us on day 2 of the birthday party, with plenty of stories, good NZ wine and chocolate.

We explored Portland with the kids in the morning and then walked around town, window shopping the fancy stores where a baby’s ‘onesie’ costs 44 dollars and vintage knitted baby diaper covers cost 88. We didn’t buy anything there; though we did buy a couch that cost a lot more. We had been couch shopping for over a week because our kids were upset with us not having anything comfortable to sit on in our living room (except one chair). There was a risk to upend our Christmas plans, and so we bought the couch which was the nicest we could have in our house before Christmas.

And now it is the day that I officially become a senior. I can no buy a discount pass for transport, check the box on Amtrak reservations and get the movie discount. We now have two seniors in the house. A brave new world!