Retired

 Gail bid a fond farewell to 23 years as a Cornell employee.  She worked in various lab and research jobs before we met, and started library school right about the time we got together.  Happy to say our relationship outlasted her library career.

Her last day in the office.  I tried to get her attention, but she was laser-focused right up to the end.

Thanks to a 45-minute Covid exposure during her exit interview, she is supposed to stay away from the office, but when you retire, Cornell wants its shit back:  NOW! No exceptions.  So one last, quick stop at the Mother Ship.

Until Monday, when she starts working for a Belgium company, she's in between jobs.

A New Tradition

 Last year, Gail and I got a cottage on Cayuga Lake the last week of June and loved it so much we re-upped for this year.  We're booked again for next year.  This officially constitutes a tradition.  It's nice to be on vacation just 10 miles from home so we can invite friends to come hang out.

The youngsters bring lots of energy and take-out.  We like to think they come because we're cool, but it probably has more to do with having kayaks and a paddle board.

Kari even came to celebrate her birthday with us.  Another new tradition?

M prepared a fabulous dinner.  We vote it also be a tradition.

I have a feeling a bunch of swimmers will always show up.

A fantastic new development since we were there last year was the acquisition of the Bell Station Property by the Finger Lakes Land Trust.  It is the largest privately owned, undeveloped piece of shoreline property in the Finger Lakes.  We were able to kayak there and back in a morning.  Looking forward to skiing the trails next winter.

Across the lake is Taughannock State Park.  It's always nice to get there by any means, but kayaking is a really special one.

Also across the lake, and another great new development, is the purchase of the Boy Scout Camp by two towns that get their drinking water from a well there, and the state park system who will handle the bulk of the maintenance.  It's got a couple great waterfalls and offers good hiking and a spot to launch/land kayaks.

How can we not go back for more of this?

Xalapa Reunion

 In the summer of 1987, a bunch of students participated in a language program in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.  One of the group, Jeff, had stayed in touch with the most people from the trip and decided it was time we try to have a reunion.  He tracked almost everyone down and invited them to his house in Western PA for a get-together.  There were some last-minute cancellations, but four of us enjoyed an afternoon sharing stories and memories.  We all agreed it was a seminal time in our lives that greatly influenced who we are today.  We're hoping for better turn-out for the 40th reunion.

 

Thanks to Jeff and Pam for hosting us.

Class of 2022

A beautiful day to graduate greeted the Class of '22.  Only two ENL students were graduates this year, but the younger siblings of former students who were in our program got their diplomas.  We were lucky to have them come to us during their time at IHS and share a bit of time.

Four years ago, Seohyun spoke almost no English, and was too shy to say much of anything in any language.  Today she's a strong young woman headed to UB to study in their nursing program.

Maine Wedding

A hundred years ago, I moved to Tioga County after college.  About that same time, Dylan was born and I lived with him the first 11 years of his life.  This June, he got married to Lauren in Maine.  Gail and I were fortunate to be invited and thrilled to make the trip to be part of their special day.

It was the first time Gail and I saw Matt and Jen since they got married, and the first we learned they will be having a baby in the coming winter.

It was my last time wearing one of my dad's suit coats.  I don't think he's responsible for all the food stains on it.  I wore it on the day I got married.

 On the way to Maine, we stopped to visit Mary Ann in Bolton Landing.  Glenn wasn't there, off riding dirt bikes.  We enjoyed a nice hike to a newly restored fire tower on Swede Mountain and a little time on Lake George.