Speechless

There is no way for me to tell this story without just leading you through it. In our previous post, I mentioned that Terri & Mark invited us to their cabin in up state New York for a golf weekend, kicking back and just cooling our jets to celebrate Barb & I turning 65. As usual on Friday nights, we are all going to meet at the at the Gin Mill for dinner. We had to stop at the Duty Free for a nature break and of course, Terri says “Dad, you can’t pass up this deal – 3 bottles of your favorite for $39.00!” And she was right, I couldn’t. We all arrive at the ‘mill’ and the place was hoppin busy and we progressed toward the back games room. As we start to clear the doorway, we see Pat & Carolyn sitting at a table and I thought, wow, what a coincidence to meet up with them on their travels this far off the beaten track! All smiles and surprise, we move further into the room to say something witty and we now see 4 other friends – John & Di and Ray & Donna and it sets in, this is a set up but Barb & I are dumb founded and completely ‘shocked’ to see everyone there! We were speechless for several seconds and then the party began! Wow, what a time. There was another group of ‘seniors’ at a table behind us and they too welcomed and congratulated us and they were also Canadians. For awhile we were wondering if we knew these people and our forgetter was working now that we are in this new group called Seniors.  Friends of Terri & Mark; Mary and Stavros joined in our celebration even though they were down celebrating their own wedding anniversary. 

What a night at the ‘Mill’!

After dinner and a couple of wobbly pops, I needed to wash my hands after my plate of wings and as I was approaching the washroom door, one of the ladies from the other table also was about to go in so I asked her if she minded that I go in to wash my hands and she held the door for me. To my surprise it was the ladies washroom that we were in – yes, she came in with me and that should have been a hint right? But I thought it was a one washroom restaurant. As soon as I opened the door to exit, her husband was right there to defend her from the ogre but he had a knee brace so I think I could have out run him if necessary. The evening progressed much the same as we left there and went back to Terri & Marks hide-away. Terri went up on Thursday to decorate for the surprise as we were greeted with party decorations. We all continued the party until the early hours of Saturday morning. When we woke on Saturday, the decorations were still there so I knew I didn’t dream about the fun times.

It seems to be a tradition that when John & Di and the cronies are there, the Baily’s flows for the morning coffee, so the morning was happily spent chatting on Terri & Mark’s deck with that ‘sweetener’  near by for the morning brew.

Another nice surprise was the arrival of Larry, my brother  from north Pickering who drove down to enjoy the weekend and celebrate with us. Barb was busy when he arrived and didn’t see him. As Larry was standing near the patio table, Barb came out with another coffee urn and stood beside him and didn’t really see him until he nudged her and then the big hug and welcome. I guess getting old means poorer eye sight!

Most of the crew decided that it would be fun to wander into Ellicottville to browse  through the shops etc. In the heat of the day, John, Larry & I waited on a couple of stores then decided it would be cooler to wait at the ‘Mill’. The rest had a great time wandering through the shops and even purchased a couple of items. There was an art and craft show happening at the end of Main St so the 3 of us caught up with everyone there. Once all rounded up, we decided it was time for ice cream and even our largest – don’t take that as a slam John – critic took part and had one too! After a quick trip to the liquor store, we were on the way to the cabin – hey the beer was getting cold!

After a delicious platter of cheese, crackers and more chat, dinner was served to a bunch of hungry party goers. We were all having a blast and lots if discussion going  on and I’m sure we solved all the worlds problems in one evening. The high light of the night was Barb & I releasing a couple of Sky Lanterns. Mark picked them up in town and are a simple paper like bag with a small flame apparatus attached underneath that we ignited, holding onto the lantern until it inflated and we could feel it tugging upward in our hands. We let go separately and watched it rise up until it disappeared in the night sky. It was an exciting experience. Thanks Mark.

 

 

 

After breakfast on Sunday, Larry, Pat & Carolyn decided to head back home while the rest of us had another coffee! So not to lie to us about a golf weekend, Terri, Mark, John & Barb & I went to the driving range to smack some balls. Terri even gave a few lessons; one to John and one to Mark.  The white things were flying everywhere but we had fun anyway. Then we got to enjoy watching Terri hit balls.

We met the rest of the crew at the EBC for lunch. Do you see a pattern here? Anyway, we were out on the patio and still having a great time not to mention ordering a beer sampler so we could all try the beers brewed here. Unfortunately, Mark had to go to work on Monday so he had to head back home while the rest of us broke out the Mexican Train for a round or two!

 

Wow, what a great weekend celebrating  our ‘coming of age’! Now my main issue is to find out why retailers only allow seniors a discount on 1 day during the week – Wednesday let’s say. But we’re only talking 10% here so why can’t the retailers give a senior their 10% every day they are shopping? Anyway, Barb has pushed me off my soap box so I’ll wrap up here but not before we say thanks to everyone that came to join us and of course to Terri & Mark for pulling off this wonderful surprise party.