Lebanon Ohio and Family

    Julie’s husband, Terry, is an over-the-road trucker, and he was out of town, so I fixed salmon and quinoa in the Goose for Julie and me while we bridged a 20-year absence with laughter and conversation. Julie and I were married to brothers; both are now ex-husbands. We have been through harrowing times together dealing with difficult men and raising sons, and have a bond like soldiers who have seen battle together and survived.
     Friday Julie finished up early at work and gave Gracie and me a tour of the surrounding countryside. Lebanon is an adorable town. I expected Mr. Rogers, in cardigan and sneakers, to be waving from a porch near the historic train station. There are lots of little antique and curio shops in the historic downtown I look forward to exploring. Julie lives in Carlisle, about 20 minutes away, in a large house in a neat community surrounded on all sides by cornfields and train tracks. We picked up excellent Chinese food and introduced Gracie to Julie’s five little dogs. There were fewer skirmishes than we anticipated. 
 .   Saturday my nephew, Bruce, who I haven’t seen in almost 20 years, and his girlfriend Amy fixed a wonderful lunch of potato soup and seven-layer salad. I met his beautiful sons Braden and Chase. Sitting at the dining table with family was almost overwhelming.
     We picked up the returning Terry after lunch. I had not met him before, but Julie had described him in terms that led me to expect an unassuming, affable, easy-going pet lover. I was not disappointed. He was easily in accord with Julie lending me their Durango so I have transportation during the day.
     Sunday Julie and I went to a gigantic indoor swap meet, Trader’s World. Whimsical statues of wild animals, with an emphasis on towering giraffes, decorate the acres of shops. We wandered around for three hours, looking a lot and buying a little. Then we escaped to Olive Garden for lunch. It’s perfect fall weather, in the mid 70’s with a light wind. At almost 9:00 at night I still have every window opening airing the Goose out and filling it with the wonderful smell of fall.