Sunday in Napa

 So much food and fun, thanks to Chef Sarah. Another perfect Tiapos with delicious food, as always.  We await the group photos from Doug's camera, but until then you do get a glimpse. My piece was about my "new" family on the East Coast and of course folks were intrigued. Top photo is Sam with his art, he is always such a great addition to our group and his fresh garden tomatoes? The best. Also grateful to Doug who did the driving and did not get lost once. Feeling blessed again.

and now, the Finals!

 I saw a lot of purple on my walk yesterday afternoon ~ men and women and kids wearing the colors of our amazing Valkyries Women's Basketball Team. So much fun and such a lovable and joyful group of young women who are giving the Bay Area a huge bolt of energy. Go Walks!

meet my "new" parents

 Catherine Beall and Charles Flook of Frederick County, Maryland. How did they meet? Was it a romance or a one night stand? They were not teenagers, in their twenties. We think Mom was in college. My adoption was private and at 10 days old my Aunt Kit of Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, brought me to Pasadena, California, on the train. I cried all the way. I still well up quickly and way too often.

back on the Farm

 Yes, I'm home in SF after this whirlwind trip. I did want to show you where Sister Jane spent the first nine years of her life, dodging cows as she walked a long way to catch the school bus. Flook Farm is now a lovely park in Frederick County, with an official plaque dedicated to the Flook Family. So very beautiful here with walking paths and picnic tables. And, of course I'm happy to be home and Annabelle has forgiven me for leaving her and we are pals again. Now the laundry. Grrrrrrrr.

a day with Father Flook

 

I have a ton more photos and words from yesterday, but MsBook Air and Ms. Stein are both slow this morning. Yesterday started with a lavish breakfast at Sister Jane's beautiful home right by the Potomac. (We do not share the cooking gene.) Then she kindly drove us to the Flook Farm which I will show you tomorrow when I am home and the internet will be stronger. Then to the lovely cemetery where the relatives on Jane's side reside. Dinner last night at Bistro 112 in Shepherdstown and so nice that Sister Carole (on the maternal side) joined us. A treat also to have nephew Tanner and the two boys ~ we sat outside, good food and fine service. We fly away today and my head and heart are bursting with all that I have learned. I promise lots of pictures tomorrow after a good night in my own bed. None of this would have been possible without the Blogmaid who started this whole thing ("let's find your biological parents!") and what a trip it has been. Kristin organized this whole thing, did most of the driving and made sure I was a ok as she handled everything with aplomb. Right word? She is now OFFICIALLY a member of the Flook and Beall blended family. I could NOT have had a better time. Truly. Deep gratitude to all.

now picture Pennsylvania (mostly)

 

The day started beautifully at the Airport Grille in Hagerstown where we met Sister Jane's friends Candy, Laura and Karen 2 (or maybe 1?) Wonderful women! Then the Blogmaid and I went to Gettysburg to try to find where her second great grand uncle, Willian Philander Cromer, from South Carolina, died in battle in 1863 at Seminary Ridge. We had a full day first at the National Park (fabulous!) then toured the Lutheran Seminary which became a hospital for the many wounded during the bloody battle. Also walked around the charming town of Gettysburg and ALMOST had dinner at the Gettysburger, but drove back to Hagerstown for the Blogmad's beloved Cracker Barrel (5th photo), which was actually rather good. (Shhhh, don't tell anyone I said that.) It was a long, full day and we both learned so much. For instance the cool wooden fences seen all over here are called worm fences and were used in battle. Feel free to Google them as I have run out of words and space here. Today is Wednesday, home tomorrow. Or as one fun young woman said when we told here that we were from San Francisco, "ah, the Promised Land."

this amazing life

 Well yesterday started at 11am when sister Carole (on my biological mother's side) met us at the Quality Inn for the first time ever. We liked her at once, meaning she passed the strict and often fatal Blogmaid and Blogger test ~ lucky Carole! Then sister Jane (whom we have loved for three plus years) joined us and we all learned about Mother Catherine, or tried to. This woman told no one about me, what a burden she carried. Women back then ~ well, we know from reading about their lives dominated by men and society, but hey, not today, Ms. Stein, let's DO the blog. So we four had a fine lunch at Rumsey Tavern (cool place) and then the photo sessions, thanks Blogmaid. Carole and Jane tried to figure out how my parents met, leaving us with so many unanswered questions. After lunch the Blogmaid drove (bless her!) to the Mt. Olivet Cemetery where Carole's parents are buried and we paid our respects to Mother and gave her a little  plant to thank her for all she endured. I learned so much yesterday, almost too much to comprehend. Carole was open and forthright and painted a picture of our mother that I won't soon forget. She was a good mother who smoked and read fiction a lot and did not care about how she looked. What a day. OK, the 4th picture should be on the bottom but after blogging for decades I still can't figure out how to move it. This was our dinner from the Food Lion across the street as we watched SNL on the Blogmaid's computer. So much we learn so late, etc. We were both exhausted and I bet Carole was too. What a day! (Oh, p.s., lovely sunshine and blue skies all day. Yay.)