Clothed in Glory

School has started, the monarch butterflies have returned, Fall has arrived in all her glory, the Farmers' Markets are bursting with the fruit of the local harvest, and Buddy completed his east-coast to west-coast drive yesterday. He drove through 11 states, none the worse for the wear.

This is a great time of year for Buddy's relocation. Autumn is his favorite season. Here in Santa Cruz, early fall is our summer. We have our best weather in September and October.

'Tis the season of change, a time of transition; 'tis the season of abundance, and a time of dying and letting go.

'Tis the season for YaYa and Buddy to start their lives together.

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Afterword: Last week, I asked readers to submit their favorite travel songs. My friend Sherry submitted a list, among them: "Get Here If You Can" by Oleta Adams. How could I have forgotten that one? Here are the lyrics. (My sentiments exactly.)

Get Here If You Can

You can reach me by railway, you can reach me by trailway
You can reach me on an airplane, you can reach me with your mind
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can.

You can reach me by sailboat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope
Take a sled and slide down the slope, into these arms of mine
You can jump on a speedy colt, cross the border in a blaze of hope
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can.

There are hills and mountains between us
Always something to get over
If I had my way, then surely you would be closer
I need you closer.

(interlude, then repeat bridge)

You can windsurf into my life, take me up on a carpet ride
You can make it in a big balloon, but you better make it soon
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can.

I don't care, I don't care, I need you right here right now.

I need you right here, right now, right by my side (yeah,yeah, yeah, yeah).

I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can.

Thanks, Sherry.

Road Trip, Road Songs

In less than 36 hours, Buddy will start his cross country trip to California... home, to me, to our new future. We are getting married in November; in the interim, we will be setting up our home in Santa Cruz.

As with most things we do, songs come to mind. Road trip songs. Here are the ones that we've thought of so far:

1.  "Do You Know the Way to San Jose"
2.  "Are You Going to San Francisco"
3.  "Homeward Bound"
4.  "Cruisin"
5.  "Keep On Truckin'"
6.  "On the Road Again"
7.  "The Long and Winding Road"
8.  "California Dreamin'"
9. "Walk On"
10. "Wichita Line Man"
11.  "Rollin' Down the River"
12. "Take Me Home, Country Road"
13. "Born to Be Wild"
14. "Come On and Take a Free Ride"
15. "Riding with the King"
16. "Hit the Road Jack"

These titles date us, I realize. We are looking for more current travel songs. If you think of any, please send them to us in the comment section of this blog piece, or email me.

We Came, We Saw, We Celebrated-Part 2

My parents recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends. I did not do justice photographing the scope of the event (the camera's battery died and I did not have the battery charger with me) but this one picture captures the essence of Meadie-Peadie and MarionBelle: my mother, ever the lady, and my father, the consummate jokester.

Mommy, my brother John Paul, and friend, Harold.

My sister Tonia (right) and her BBF, Yvonne.

John Paul's son, John Paul, Jr.

Cousin Kenny (left) shares the coveted grilling duties with Buddy (below).

My brother Dutch (Meade Vernon, Jr.), sportin' a hat, just like Meadie-Peadie, and cousin Ronnie and his wife, LaVerne.

Cousin Connie, her mom. Sara, and her husband Bill. Connie brought with her a recently researched family tree of my paternal grandfather's side of the family, and gave us all an opportunity to make corrections.

Tonia's son (and my Godson) Montae, Jr.

Buddy and my cousin Marion enjoy themselves while sharing
meat-slicing duties in the kitchen.

 We have so few sibling photographs.
This is a great one of John Paul and me.

Here is a picture with me, my parents, and John Paul's dog, Paige!

It is a rare occasion when Tonia, who lives in Los Angeles, CA, and I, who lives in Santa Cruz, CA are able to visit my parents at the same time. (Notice MarionBelle, agog in the background.)