A Weekend in Naples

Last week over the holiday weekend, I traveled down to Naples to visit Ferd. Six weeks out of shoulder replacement surgery, Ferd was still not allowed to drive and there were still things of my mother’s to be cleaned out of their condo down there. It was a great reason to leave the grey skies and piles of dirty snow behind.

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The added bonus to the trip was that Alex was graduating from Intel in Pensacola. I couldn’t bear the thought that he would start leave and go home to Rye Brook and I would be in Florida so he flew down to join us for the weekend. It was a perfect opportunity for him to see his grandfather since they missed each other with their respective Christmas holiday visits.

It was great to see Ferd and he is an adverturous host. Thursday night Ferd and I took a sunset cruise around Naples. The boat leaves from Windstar, the community he lives in, and putters through the inland waterways giving its occupants a sightseeing tour of the wealthy homes and then a quick trip to the Gulf to see the sunset. It is completely relaxing and after we had dinner at the club. It was an effortless entry.

The weather was absolutely fantastic. The skies were blue with fluffy clouds, the air was warm and moist and it was a complete relief from February in New York. We jumped into action Friday morning heading off to physcial therapy, cleaning out Bobbie’s closet and office, taking things to the Salvation Army and going grocery shopping. Ferd was frustrated at having been unable to drive and he had lots to accomplish.  Alex arrived late that day and we had already gotten a lot of things accomplished.

Saturday Ferd had booked a fishing trip for the three of us. We left out of Goodland which is a small fishing town south of Naples and motored around the 10,000 Islands. We didn’t catch many fish, which frustrated Captain J, but I don’t think any of us cared. We were just enjoying the outing.

A lot of serious eating was also accomplished. We managed to visit my favorite taco place, Tacqueria San Julian, twice. I shouldn’t tell anyone about it because I don’t want it to ever change, but there is nothing in this world like one of their tacos al pastor with the smokey sauce. You are almost assured to be the only gringos in the place. We had fish and chips at Grouper and Chips–not a low caloric experience, but a must when visiting Naples. We also headed out to Isle of Capri and dined at Capri Fish House. The food isn’t fantastic, but you sit under a chickee hut with a view of the water and it is delightful.

The rest of our visit was divided between lounging and reading, errands, a few more doctors visits and some more gorgeous weather to enjoy. It was delightful seeing Ferd and spending time with him, a complete treat to have more of Alex to myself and a lovely opportunity to de-”Frost” in the warm Florida sun.

The 2010 New York Sheep and Wool Festival

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October 16th looked like it would become a perfect fall day. The forecast was for sun with a few clouds and some wind. It was going to get up to the mid-50′s. The leaves were turning nicely and the scene was set for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival! The third weekend in October is always the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. And even those Frosts who don’t knit turn out for this annual family pilgrimage.

We piled into the car at 8:30 and the cars were streaming into the Dutchess County Fair Grounds when we got to Rhinebeck after 10. It was brisk and a hot beverage was first on Ellie’s list while I purchased my annual t-shirt. Each year much is the same about Rhinebeck. The vendors have the same locations, we follow the same path through the barns and even eat the same foods. That is part of what makes it all so wonderful.

We walk around and see all our favorite vendors. The fellow who makes the fantastically warm and soft sheepskin slippers, Ellen’s 1/2 Pint Farm, Nanney Kennedy’s Meadowcroft Farm Seacolors, the woman with the gorgeous and colorful blended yarn from Vermont, Green Mountain Spinnery and the folks with the huge supply of Socks That Rock Yarn. Even when I don’t buy, I love seeing the fabulous yarn and crafts these artisans have on offer.

Each year Peter is bound and determined to return home with an angora rabbit. He sees the women spinning fiber right off their bunnies and he goes wild for a soft, furry bunny.  This year there were puppies for sale and Ellie was possessed by a desire unfulfilled by even her great love for Dakota. They were really cute and if Jim hadn’t been along and if I didn’t know that Dakota has no desire to share, I might have fallen.

Jim is patient, but bored and heads off to sit quietly in the 4-H booth with a cup of hot cider and his book. The best place for him at this point. We walk up and down the rows looking at the booths and break for lunch early. The chicken pot pie line gets really long and one year they ran out for a while…I enjoyed a roast lamb sandwich.

After lunch we wandered over to watch the dogs in the Frisbee competition and then hit the barns to oggle some sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas. It is fun to watch the sales going on, but visiting the animals in their pens is even more fascinating. Here is a whole agricultural life about which we know little, but the sheep are clearly well cared for and loved. Their owners wait patiently for the judging and tend to the animals while probably wishing the dumb city folk would stay out of their way. It isn’t an easy way to make a living no matter how romantic it looks from the outside.

All too soon critical mass has been reached and the voting is to return to the car and make our way home. I wonder what it would be like to spend an entire day or weekend at the fair? Somehow even after just a few hours, the car feels warm and comfortable and it is tough not to doze off over yarn and needles as we head south in the afternoon’s darkening light.

It was a good day. A day anticipated for many months and enjoyed in the best of company. It will be another year until Sheep and Wool and yet, it will be very much the same as this year. A turning point as summer truly fades into autumn and the world prepares for winter. A good day’s outing in the country and a chance to enjoy the fresh air, animals, some good food, my family and lots of yarn and fibre. It doesn’t get much better than that!

My first 3-Day breast cancer walk

In 2004 I did the 3-Day in New York. I decided to do the walk on the spur of the moment. I heard an ad on the radio and I just knew I wanted to be part of it. I wanted to do something which mattered. I heard the ad, ran inside and signed up. Afterward, I started to think about why it was important that I do this. I wanted to honor someone in my life who died of breast cancer and who had not been properly honored by me for the role she played in my life.