Message 217

Last night I went to the dinner group at Morrills. The eight of us who went to Ireland a couple of years ago were able to get together because the Willetts were visiting from their new home in France. They come back twice a year to visit their daughter and her husband and son. He is their only grandchild, and is now eight months old. After we finished eating the men did the dishes while the women sat around and talked in the living room, which is the tradition. I started this tradition several years ago because before whoever was the host couple had to do it all after everyone went home, and it was more fun to do the dishes as a group. Also, the women did all the cooking for the potluck dinner, and I thought it would be better for the men to share some of the responsibility. This dinner has been going continuously since 1975, so it has lasted 33 years now.

I am waiting for Helen and Jim to call to meet at Starbucks, which is another routine that has been going on for at least twenty five years now also.