It was nice to be back in Vermont… Had a busy day at work. Not much happened today… Not sure exactly how I got this picture of the sky, but it was a beautiful day.

nite all, nite sam

-me

Funerals are always surrounded by food…. A bunch of us met up at the hotel and walked over to a nearby deli. I had no idea that Pikesville was such a religious enclave. It is full of orthodox Jews. The stores are all orthodox and I heard some people speaking. The delicatessen was full observant people.… We had a nice breakfast and soaked in the culture.

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Midday we went over to the funeral home. Ceremony for Ellen was beautiful… So many grandkids caught up and talked… Ellen was an amazing person… You’re giving athletic funny… It was really fun to hear everybody’s perspective on her.

the kids and grandkids got up and sang a song that they had written for Ellen’s birthday a couple years ago… It was to the sound of what a wonderful world… Check it out

Once the service was over, we all got in our cars and made a funeral procession… the cemetery was clear on the other side of Baltimore

I’ve never been to the cemetery…  I got to see where Ellen’s parents. The leaves are buried and where Arnold is buried.

The funeral was short and meaningful. We all said cottage and then we all helped with shovelfuls of dirt. The kids doing most of it… I later found out that Susie had put in a whole bag full of Reese’s peanut butter cups into the dirt  because they were Ellen’s favorite… sweet and sad

Then it was back to the house for more stories and memories… It was great seeing everybody… 

We had a 10 PM flight so we were able to stay through dinner.
I was really glad we came

rest easy ellen.. what a life !

nite all, nite sam

-me

Dan and I woke up took another run up to the revolutionary war park.… And said goodbye to this Airbnb

I was speaking at an event on play and creativity today.… It was actually a very fun event. It was hosted by my friend David Cox… He did a really fun intro duction to a day in his life. Thing I took away is that he suggested this movie. Putting the picture here so I don’t forget.

Diane spent the morning walking around the Yorktown campus, which is really beautiful. As soon as my talk was done she and I got in the car and headed south. We’re heading down to the Baltimore area… Pikesville actually… For my great aunt Ellens funeral. She died last week at age 96. She was an amazing woman… I knew that a ton of relatives would be in town and well, I was sad about Helen. I was really looking forward to seeing all my relatives.

Here are Ellen, Arnal an all their kids. Arnall died back in 2010. He was my fathers uncle.. but they were Close enough in age that he was like another older brother to my dad.

 

Here are the kids Ireland Helens on kids, which are John, Susie and David… Their nephew Sam came to live with them when his parents were killed in an airplane crash in 1973

Ellen’s daughter Susie lives in the house next-door to Ellen and Arnold’s house. And their cousin the cord live right across the street. It’s kind of like a little family compound. Both houses were full of people filtering in for the funeral tomorrow.… There was tons of food tons of catching up. It was really fun touring around and seeing all that artwork and other memorabilia. I used to come here on my way up to Boston for school.… Lots of memories.

 

 

One treat was to see my cousin Kate’s artwork… it’s aamazing.. .. fun and poignant. there was even a bust of herself made entirely out of insects! .\Kate and her wife also Kate live here too.…

we hung out for a while then went back tot he hotel to sleep

tomorrow is the funeral.   that will be sad and interesting. I’m glad we’re here

nite all, nite sam
-me

This morning Diane and I took a run around our Airbnb .. Turns out that Peekskill has a ton of history. right down the street are the ruins of a Revolutionary era hill fort that factored in to he protection of the Hudson River
THe hill is also the site of a graveyard used by a local moenstary… It was a beutiful and peaceful place 

I drove in to Yorktown and spent the day meetign with old friends and conencting on several ongoign projects I’m still helping with. It was great seeing everybody again..  Even though I am still in close contact by email/zoom.. niting is like seeing old freinds face to face 

That night diane and I explored Peekskill. We had dinner in a really nice  Salvadoran place. then exploring the town… It’s got an amazing riverfront

 

Very cute town.. I’m glad we visited. 

Nite all, nite sam
-me