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We are back to whatever passes for normal these days after a great beach break with DC friends who were in Waves, one of the tourist villages far down the barrier islands known as the Outer Banks. The house was nothing short of palatial, with, in addition to the usual great room and decks, 8 master bedrooms, a media room, a Viking range in the kitchen in addition to wall ovens and two, count 'em two, refrigerators, and a dining room table for twenty. We were 12, but we weren't just rattling around in the extra space. Nature abhors a void, and so does a crowd of gay men. We filled the spaces. It was a great break--a teaser for our own week in South Nags Head beginning the 19th of this month.
The hosts in Waves were Jim and Kemp, friends from DC whom, when we were living there, we'd see a couple of times a year for dinner if we were lucky, because of the distance between our homes. It was great having a chance to spend some extended time with them, and fun and interesting to watch the dynamics of this group of people we became a part of. Just as we have a set of "Nags Head friends" with whom we now get together almost exclusively when we are at the beach (though we met at work or through mutual friends), and with whom we have built up a rich history over the years, they have their set of close friends from college and other earlier days, and their stories and memories are every bit as funny and/or intense as ours are. It speaks well of the group that we never felt like we were horning in on their special times--we were welcome. And we even found time for a card game--that's a picture of me learning (for a second time) h0w to play euchre. I like it!
This was the first time we drove "home" from the Outer Banks and were still in North Carolina at the end of the trip. What used to be a 5 1/2 drive was just 1 1/2 hours. And we aren't really "at home" in this rental house. The whole situation brings home to me state state of limbo in which we find ourselves now and the mysteries still ahead. Steve has yet to have to deal with the fact that he is retired. We went from one way of life in which he worked and I stayed home to this, in which he is still working, but on different things, and I am working again. At some point all this house-related hyperactivity will be done, and a new "normal" will make itself known. I hvae no idea what it will be, but I look forward to that day.l Until it comes, though, we just roll with the very strong flow.
8 comments:
Now there's a special commentary... what a nice interlude from all the work! plus a regular get-together on the horizon!
"tween" times can be special times. There is book of memories being created with your new home. In my thoughts, "temp" homes offer a sense of freedom that can be enjoyed until the nesting starts again... although I do admit that there is little equal to the feeling of one's own home.
You're right about a temp home, Linda, except that in this case a new one is being built and there's plenty for us to do in preparation, so while there's some feeling of respite, there's more one of "gotta get this out of the way while I can." But like I said, I'm really not complaining.
I imagine what your situation is like. I would love to be planning a new house and studio. It would be an exciting time. Sounds like a great time with old and new friends. Was the beach weather good?
The sky was primarily overcast at the beach, Cuidado, but you know how it is at the ocean. the sky is so huge that unless it's actually raining, it doesn't seem all that dark. And it was warm. "A bad day at the beach is better than a good day at the office" still holds true.
Ralph,
I've never had a better time at the Outer Banks, and Jim and I agree that a big part of that was due to you and Steve. I only hope this was the first of many more wonderful times together.
Nice to know the pleasure was mutual, Kemp. Many more to come, for sure.
Sounds like You had a great time with old friends! I wish I and my old friends could meet like thatr sometimes, perhaps its to early days yet for that.
Have a great day!
Christer.
Nice to hear from you, Christer! Yes, we did have a wonderful time. And now, just today we are back from another trip to the beach with other friends--this time for all of last week. Great time!
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