We’re down at Diane’s parents. Marcia and Gabe’s in Endicott NY.. just outside of Binghamton.

We got here around midnight last night and found our two nephews Victor and Vincent waiting up for us. It was nice getting off the road.  I  have to admit it was hard for me walking in the door without Sam with us. Diane, Gabe and I were last here when Sam was in Florida.. about 3 days before he died. The memories of that came back to me very hard.. I sat out on the stairs for awhile before coming in to go to sleep.  This house is full of pictures of Sam and our family.. I love it.

The kids made this poster for a play they did in 2000

Marcia just had these cups made

Here are the names of all the Mariano Grandkids as of early 1995. Susan was the name of the My brother- and Sister-in-law’s Steve and Denises baby that didn’t live

   This morning was bright and it felt very good being here. We’ve had a very relaxing day. Max and Gabe hung out with Victor and Vincent. Playing basketball and video games.. I always remember playing capture the flag with our three and their two boys.. . Diane went for a bike ride with here long time good friend Linda and I went for a run  up and over the hill that Gabe and Marcia live on. I used to do that run when Diane and I were just dating almost 25 years ago.. that damn hill has gotten quite a bit higher in that time  .

   Mid afternoon, Linda, her daughter Andrea, Victor, Vincent, Diane Max, Gabe, Chai  and I walked down the creek bed to a branch of the Susquehanna river that runs nearby We’ve always gone down there to skip rocks and look for fossils. Being there brought back so many great memories of the three kids and their cousins hanging out here.

Flowers down by the river

Sam was here !

We broke open ta rock and found fossils !

Max and Andrea

The culvert under the Highway

   Linda’s husband and our good friend David showed  up  we all  spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in the pool, reading, talking, not-talking.   It was really relaxing.

Marcia

Gabe

Colby

Andrea

Linda

Sister-in-law Pat

Nephew Vincent

Nephew Victor

Brother-in-law Joe

Gabe as swamp monster

Linda and Diane

Linda is studying Reflexology and messed   around with Diane’s feet.. from what I could experience vicariously.. it felt pretty good .

I don’t think I could get anyone to touch my feet !

Around 5 Diane and I went out to get dinner. First stop was Chinese take-out.   I’d ben Jonesing all day for Tofu.. that’s what a vegan diet will do to you.. Next stop was Phil’s Chicken House.. a Mariano Family Tradition forever.   We all came back and gathered together to think of Sam  and wish Gabe and Marcia a happy 50^th anniversary.. then we dug in..

Aqua teen graffitti on the way to the resturant (Our kids love it.. Sam liked Meatwad)

   Right now we’re sitting outside in perfect weather… later tonight we’re going over to Linda and David’s … It doesn’t get any more laid back than this….

Sam.. we’re all thinking of you here… More tomorrow.

-jc