We were here in June for brother Steve’s wedding. Here now to celebrate the life of my mom, Claire. She died in 2020, donated her body to Brown med school, and her ashes were returned this past May. We’ll be going out on a boat today (8.28), motoring to Beavertail on Conanicut Island, a place she and my dad loved for the beauty of the water, the rocks, the breeze. We’ll share memories and enjoy lobster rolls.

Ed and I arrived Friday, the 25th, getting to our rental after midnight. It’s on Hundred Acre Pond in West Kingston which is in South Kingstown. very dark here at night and many more stars are visible than in ABQ. The quietude is lulling. We go to sleep to the sound of crickets and the breezes. Kayaks are available and the pond, what we’d call in lake in NM, feels so good for swimming. It’s a little bit of paradise.

Not long after arriving, Ed came running, “I’ve just killed the biggest mosquito ever!”

Now, for those of you who have always suspected something was “wrong” with me, the below may explain. Also, a little more RI humor follows.

Sadiddy night we went to The Narrows in Fall River, MA. It’s a concert venue in an old brick mill. The northeast is loaded with old mills, many converted to various types of living accommodations and other uses. We saw David Alvin and Jimmy Dale Gilmour with their band, The Guilty Ones. Only thing they are guilty of is slamming out some awesome rhythm and blues, cowpunk, rock-a-billy style music. Great musicianship, funny stories, good comraderie on stage. They played for 2 hours straight. Dang good for a bunch of old guys. Except the drummer – she’s young and boy, could she play!

I swam every day and went kayaking once. Guess I’d rather be in the water than on it.

Meanwhile, our charmed lives brought an unexpected gift in the form of a complimentary wine tasting cruise on the Coastal Queen around Narragansett Bay. Thanks to Donna, my brother’s SO. She works for the company. I especially appreciated this as I was too focused on guests and organizing mom’s memorial the night before to appreciatethe view. Another perfect night for a cruise.

In Boston now about to board our flight to Paris! Oo-la-la