The most amazing gift arrived Wednesday. Mrs.Gibson is the mother of my best friend growing up, and still lives two houses from my childhood home in Pennsylvania. Betty Jane and I remained connected for 50 years, even living together for a while in Maryland. There are few memories of my childhood that do not include B.J. and her brother Russell. She saw me through marriages and divorce, the birth of my son and the death of both my parents. She was in her early 50s when she underwent gall bladder surgery, a procedure she described as “drive-by surgery.” At home recovering that evening, her mother at her side, she collapsed and died, apparently of a pulmonary embolism. I kept in touch over the years, sending notes and cards to Mrs.Gibson for holidays and birthdays and whenever she or B.J. crossed my mind..
I received a box of goodies from The Pennsylvania General Store: cookies from the Melrose Diner, hard pretzels and sweet mustard, chocolate drops, candy, and, best of all, a box of TastyKakes. There was a simple note that said, “Glad you are keeping in touch. Happy Halloween. Mrs. G and Russell. It was like a long-distance hug of comfort food at a time when I so needed a hug. The timing was uncanny.
The little awesome moments in my life are so wonderful that the sweetness has helped soothe my grief. I did get to go scalloping when the season was extended by one day. Wading around in the warm Gulf water at low tide, feeling the soft muck beneath my feet (I was wearing river shoes), looking for the stream of bubbles from the scallops as they tumble was a blast. After about two hours as the tide came in, we had a nice haul of scallops.
I came home to an outdoors dinner party at Lorie and George’s , clams and shrimp and vegetable skewers cooked over the coals. I brought fresh scallops and brown rice. After a hot shower and some good wine, the food was some of the best I ever had.
I accompanied Lena to the charming little town of Trenton. While Lena was picking up meds at the veterinarian, I explored the nearby quilting and antique shops. Quilting is a huge pastime here, and the shops are a maze of incredible color and patterns.
Lena and I split the cost of gas to go shopping in Crystal River. I loaded up on plants at Home Depot and Kmart, found a couple new shirts at a consignment shop, and located a decent health food store.
One of the few drawbacks of living here is the nearest movie theater is 60 miles away. I ordered The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Descendants DVDs. Lena, Lorie and I had a movie night in Lories new RV with a huge TV and Surround Sound. Lounging on the couch, sipping wine and eating crackers with mullet dip with friends is better than any theater.
Weekend before last was The Seafood Festival in downtown Cedar Key. There were 150 vendors with all kinds of craft and art, and seafood vendors in the city park on the beach. Gracie picked out two types of homemade dog treats. I bought earrings, butterflies made from recycled soda bottles, goat milk soap, and a few other goodies. I ate grilled shrimp and clam chowder in the park while a local band played.
I learned to kayak. Lorie and I borrowed two kayaks and headed out into the open water. It is much easier than I expected, and being in the middle of the water I love so much was amazing. I have begun looking at purchasing a kayak.
I now have a car. I bought a 1985 Mercedes-Benz in excellent shape at a bargain price. It rides so smoothly and feels right. The maiden trip was to a flea market in Homossassa where I purchased a car load of plants. I appreciate all the blessings of my life, and my precious Dylan was an amazing blessing.
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