The Return To Innocence

We left Sag Harbor at 9:30 and made the Jersey Turnpike in good time. The plan, from the beginning, had been to detour into Pennsylvania and head into Northeast Philadelphia to visit Adam's grandmother, who he calls Mom-Mom (she cared for him for two years while his father was working and his mother was caring for his brother in the hospital, so she became like a second mother). She just turned 92, and is in better health than me. She drove us to a local restaurant for lunch, and then we sat in her apartment and I listened to fascinating stories from her adolescence in the 1930's, like how she and her gay male best friend got falsely engaged so his stalker lover would back off. She still wears the pearl and diamond ring he gave her when she was 15.
We got home at 8:30, watched TV for a while, cleaned the litter boxes, and ate Philadelphia pastrami on rye. We have tomorrow off, and we'll use it well -- we need to go grocery shopping. The next few weeks will be insanely busy, as we have appointments to keep and errands to run.
Also, I must point out that Charlotte has been wonderful while we were gone. Since she has a house key, she came by every couple of days to play with the cats and do some organizing. Our bedroom and the spare room have never looked so organized. She even organized Adam's socks. We brought home a little plastic box full of sand and shells and rocks from Long Beach, as a gift for her, since she likes to collect sand and dirt from around the world.
I am very tired now, but very refreshed, and very happy.

For lunch, I went to the new salad place that just opened up, Chop't. I think the salad I ordered was the best tasting salad I have ever eaten. I customized it entirely: romaine lettuce, avocado, grilled asparagus, kalamata olives, grilled portabella mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, red wine vinaigrette. The ingredients were all chopped up into fine, tiny bits, and it all tasted so sweet and heavenly. I ate it while reading Mark Helprin's Winter's Tale. I was so engrossed in the meals of both my salad and my book that I almost lost track of time.
Last night, I pulled out my usual black duffel bag with its many compartments, and the huge blue cloth tote bag that zipped on top, and I packed up clothes, undergarments, sweaters, toiletries. Everything I will want to take personally to Sag Harbor is in those two bags and in my purse (which contains makeup, moisturizers, travel toothbrush, travel toothpaste, compact mini hairbrush and mirror, paperback book, wallet, cell phone, pens, folded paper, napkins, keys, and medication). No, my purse is not big. It has many compartments. Everything in it is small, except for the Helprin book, which is a trade paperback and heavy.
Once we get to Sag Harbor, I'll get Mom to take me to TJ Maxx in Bridgehampton so I can buy some new winter shirts and tops to take home. I don't plan on spending a lot of money there. I'll probably go to the organic store Provisions in Sag Harbor or Second Nature in Southampton to buy some more deodorant and some organic chocolate. Bookhampton, to look at books of course. Rite Aid or CVS in Southampton for new Dr. Scholl's insoles. Conco D'Oros pizza place and The Bagel Buoy shop in Sag Harbor, because I cannot leave the Hamptons without eating at least one real New York bagel and at least one slice of real New York pizza.
As far as shopping goes, there's not much beyond that for me. Clothing boutiques that ask for half a paycheck for one outfit. Tsotski shops that sell pretty trinkets. Jewelry shops on every street, but I'd only go to Lee's, the family friend and master jeweler who made my engagement ring and employs my mother. He only works with his left hand and right thumb; he was born without fingers on his right hand. Yet he can make dazzling gold jewelry as well as any good jeweler.
There are thrift stores and consignment shops, ice cream shops and libraries, variety stores and drugstores, movie theaters that only show indie films, small food markets and delicatessens, all with that old town feel that welcomes anybody home.
When I get to my parents' house, I will meet Toby the orange tabby for the first time, and revel in the pure sweet silence that is Noyac. No traffic, no obstructive noises. My parents have friends in Brooklyn and Manhattan who visit them and sleep. And that's fine, because in my parents' house, a person can sleep undisturbed for hours without trouble, wake up feeling as refreshed as a new life. Nothing but nature and crickets and birds to lure a mind to sleep.
My parents call their front and back yards Bambi-land. Dogs take themselves for walks throughout the neighborhoods and town and return home safely and smartly. Sometimes they will visit my father as he works on another stone sculpture in the backyard, silently watching as white marble turns to flesh and beauty and magic, tails waving back and forth in appreciation for a true art form.
And then there is Long Beach, and the Sag Harbor Wharf. Where we can sit for hours and watch the water.
I'm going to sit for hours with my husband and watch the water. And perhaps we will recreate our first real date on the wharf, feeding each other bites of chocolate cake and spoonfuls of chocolate pudding, giddy in love in a beautiful place

For lunch, I went to the new salad place that just opened up, Chop't. I think the salad I ordered was the best tasting salad I have ever eaten. I customized it entirely: romaine lettuce, avocado, grilled asparagus, kalamata olives, grilled portabella mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, red wine vinaigrette. The ingredients were all chopped up into fine, tiny bits, and it all tasted so sweet and heavenly. I ate it while reading Mark Helprin's Winter's Tale. I was so engrossed in the meals of both my salad and my book that I almost lost track of time.
Last night, I pulled out my usual black duffel bag with its many compartments, and the huge blue cloth tote bag that zipped on top, and I packed up clothes, undergarments, sweaters, toiletries. Everything I will want to take personally to Sag Harbor is in those two bags and in my purse (which contains makeup, moisturizers, travel toothbrush, travel toothpaste, compact mini hairbrush and mirror, paperback book, wallet, cell phone, pens, folded paper, napkins, keys, and medication). No, my purse is not big. It has many compartments. Everything in it is small, except for the Helprin book, which is a trade paperback and heavy.
Once we get to Sag Harbor, I'll get Mom to take me to TJ Maxx in Bridgehampton so I can buy some new winter shirts and tops to take home. I don't plan on spending a lot of money there. I'll probably go to the organic store Provisions in Sag Harbor or Second Nature in Southampton to buy some more deodorant and some organic chocolate. Bookhampton, to look at books of course. Rite Aid or CVS in Southampton for new Dr. Scholl's insoles. Conco D'Oros pizza place and The Bagel Buoy shop in Sag Harbor, because I cannot leave the Hamptons without eating at least one real New York bagel and at least one slice of real New York pizza.
As far as shopping goes, there's not much beyond that for me. Clothing boutiques that ask for half a paycheck for one outfit. Tsotski shops that sell pretty trinkets. Jewelry shops on every street, but I'd only go to Lee's, the family friend and master jeweler who made my engagement ring and employs my mother. He only works with his left hand and right thumb; he was born without fingers on his right hand. Yet he can make dazzling gold jewelry as well as any good jeweler.
There are thrift stores and consignment shops, ice cream shops and libraries, variety stores and drugstores, movie theaters that only show indie films, small food markets and delicatessens, all with that old town feel that welcomes anybody home.
When I get to my parents' house, I will meet Toby the orange tabby for the first time, and revel in the pure sweet silence that is Noyac. No traffic, no obstructive noises. My parents have friends in Brooklyn and Manhattan who visit them and sleep. And that's fine, because in my parents' house, a person can sleep undisturbed for hours without trouble, wake up feeling as refreshed as a new life. Nothing but nature and crickets and birds to lure a mind to sleep.
My parents call their front and back yards Bambi-land. Dogs take themselves for walks throughout the neighborhoods and town and return home safely and smartly. Sometimes they will visit my father as he works on another stone sculpture in the backyard, silently watching as white marble turns to flesh and beauty and magic, tails waving back and forth in appreciation for a true art form.
And then there is Long Beach, and the Sag Harbor Wharf. Where we can sit for hours and watch the water.
I'm going to sit for hours with my husband and watch the water. And perhaps we will recreate our first real date on the wharf, feeding each other bites of chocolate cake and spoonfuls of chocolate pudding, giddy in love in a beautiful place

Remember when I mentioned a while back that Mom was planning on adopting another cat from her local ARF? It happened. Toby became a member of the Capello family yesterday. After Mom brought him home, she and Dad lay on the carpet and Toby walked right up between them and lay down, purring. He even rolled over to give them his belly to pet. He is a very passive cat -- essentially a teddy bear. A "sweet potato" as Mom says. And that's exactly what she wanted. A gentle, quiet lap cat who will let her cuddle him, who will come when he's called, who is sweet by pure nature. I'll be able to find out just how sweet he is when Adam and I make our annual trip up there for Thanksgiving.
My parents have always owned cats, since they've been together (over thirty years). It's hard for them to imagine life without a furry buddy. I'm thrilled that the cat they adopted is exactly what they need.

I opened the wood gate in front of our townhouse, and Adam was standing there in the yard. We came together with a long hug -- I am a foot shorter than him and rested my chin on his chest and he rested his chin on my head -- and we shared a lengthy, passionate kiss. Inside, he had turned off the heat and opened all the windows and doors. He was cooking a spiced broth on the stove, to cleanse the house, with things like nutmeg, vanilla, allspice, ginger, cinnamon. He was also cooking two Cornish hens on a bed of chopped onions, marinated in a dozen different spices and flavorings. Dinner will be flavorful.
Tomorrow will be a busy day. But for now, each other.

I opened the wood gate in front of our townhouse, and Adam was standing there in the yard. We came together with a long hug -- I am a foot shorter than him and rested my chin on his chest and he rested his chin on my head -- and we shared a lengthy, passionate kiss. Inside, he had turned off the heat and opened all the windows and doors. He was cooking a spiced broth on the stove, to cleanse the house, with things like nutmeg, vanilla, allspice, ginger, cinnamon. He was also cooking two Cornish hens on a bed of chopped onions, marinated in a dozen different spices and flavorings. Dinner will be flavorful.
Tomorrow will be a busy day. But for now, each other.

You Are 100% NYC

Congratulations, you are truly a New Yorker. You've seen it all, and you're more than a little cynical.

It's not just Manhattan and the Boroughs, mind you. It is anywhere in the state. Long Island, Westchester, Rochester, Buffalo, Yonkers, Schenectady. That is what I love so much about that place.

This one made me laugh out loud: "You can't leave Manhattan for more than a few days - without missing real pizza and real bagels."
I miss real pizza and bagels every single day. And I've been away from New York for over five years. Every time I visit Manhattan or Long Island, the cravings become so monstrous that I cannot allow myself to leave without eating a slice of pizza and a bagel with cream cheese at least once. Whenever Adam takes a tech job in Manhattan, he knows he can't come home without at least one paper bag full of fresh Manhattan bagels. If pizza could survive a four hour drive, I'd ask for it.
Whenever I tell someone I was born and raised in Brooklyn, spent my teen years on the East End of Long Island in the Hamptons, and went to college in Westchester County; I do it with pride.

Lena slept overnight, and we had a day of breakfast/lunch at IHOP, then some shopping. Danny left to pick up Adam, who had been driving one of the work vans and was headed to the shop in Virginia; his car had been left at home. The boys walked in shortly after Lena and I got home.
Adam brought everyone little, meaningful gifts. What he gave to me was very thoughtful: A very tight red shirt with a design across the bottom like flames or wings, and a beige, floral lightweight halter dress that tied at the neck. I tried both on and showed everyone in the living room. When it came time to remove the dress, Adam followed me upstairs and closed the bedroom door. He helped untie the dress and I slid it off. He held me tightly. Kissing and hugging led to me being lowered slowly onto the bed. Clothing came off quickly. Natural biological instincts ensued. My mind melted and basked in the sheer smooth glow of something I had been missing for three weeks. My lips would not leave his, not even at the end. Some time later, we put our clothes back on and headed back downstairs.
Lena left to hang out with Lex. Charlotte and Billy came to get their gifts. They just left to go home.
The Simpsons and dinner will happen soon. Naturally, Adam will not have to go to work tomorrow. He always has off the day after he returns from a long trip.

Lena slept overnight, and we had a day of breakfast/lunch at IHOP, then some shopping. Danny left to pick up Adam, who had been driving one of the work vans and was headed to the shop in Virginia; his car had been left at home. The boys walked in shortly after Lena and I got home.
Adam brought everyone little, meaningful gifts. What he gave to me was very thoughtful: A very tight red shirt with a design across the bottom like flames or wings, and a beige, floral lightweight halter dress that tied at the neck. I tried both on and showed everyone in the living room. When it came time to remove the dress, Adam followed me upstairs and closed the bedroom door. He helped untie the dress and I slid it off. He held me tightly. Kissing and hugging led to me being lowered slowly onto the bed. Clothing came off quickly. Natural biological instincts ensued. My mind melted and basked in the sheer smooth glow of something I had been missing for three weeks. My lips would not leave his, not even at the end. Some time later, we put our clothes back on and headed back downstairs.
Lena left to hang out with Lex. Charlotte and Billy came to get their gifts. They just left to go home.
The Simpsons and dinner will happen soon. Naturally, Adam will not have to go to work tomorrow. He always has off the day after he returns from a long trip.