Jun 13 - rolling

We left NSB on the 13th and we've now left the cottage on the 13th.  I'd call that a month. 

We headed out just before 11am and got to Niagara Cycle Works a little after 3pm, ahead of schedule.  There was virtually no wait at the border - what are you bringing back ?  -- four bottles of wine -- hands back passports and we're on or way.

NCW was a disappointment.  They had nothing physically in stock at their one retail store, well, not what I wanted anyway.  The fellow wasn't really pleasant, "can't keep 20 million dollars of stock here, shipped from 20 warehouses across the country, can ship it to you" ... doesn't really work as I'm about to fly to Seattle ... can ship it there ... no, you've missed the point.  He didn't really want to get the point.

Lots of time in the bank, we stopped by to see Flory.  It's been a couple of years since we've seen her and she has aged, but doing well.  She is 88 after all !  Sue was at the Casino; didn't want to plan anything in advance because we didn't really know what time we'd be leaving; what time arriving etc. 

We got an update on Flory's kids, grandkids, great-grandkids.  Her two boys and daughter live quite close to her.  Sandra and Corky took her to a funeral that morning -- a friend of her sister who is in a home with dementia.  Her other siblings have passed away.  It's hard growing old when you end up being the only one left, but with family surrounding her, she's got lots of support and keeps mind and body busy.  Heck, she's still driving ! 

Her daughter Sandra is only a month older than me.  I'll to tease her about being so old :).

Off to Batavia, we had dinner at Applebees.  It was ok except that Sandy's grilled zucchini were a) huge and b) basically raw.  The waitress' response of "everyone likes those" wasn't very sympathetic -- wrong response.  Customer is always right.  They needed more cooking.

That's about it ... off to Reading for a couple of hour stopover to see Sara and the kids and then to our Philly airport hotel -- "Your Aloft Adventure" according to the reminder email.  In about 25 minutes I'll be able to do AA online check-in.  There's no leeway with their system; I tried a few minutes ago.

Cassie is flaked out on the carpet.  I threw the ball for her a few times in the parking lot / grass downstairs.  I can't exactly tire her out here. She's done the motel routine before -- at 8 weeks and then Christmas and then May return to the cottage.  It's not strange to her.  Tomorrow she gets to see Nico & Doris & Wayne and then she's off to Debbie's for a few days.

Onward for all of us !