Random, but mildly relevant in context–we did that trip when S24 was just a small child. We were at a B&B in Baie-Saint-Paul that was supposed to be just a one-night stay, but S24 met the B&B’s young Golden Retriever named Benoit, and the two were instant friends. They had availability and it was a great base anyway, so we extended our stay.
S24 was kinda heartbroken when we finally had to leave, but then we stopped at Montmorency Falls on the way back to QC, and in the gift shop they had a bunch of stuffed animals . . . including a Golden that looked just like Benoit! So we bought Benoit and he was a favorite stuffy for years.
Although there was one oopsy a little later when Benoit got left in an airport. After much looking at stuffed animals on the Internet by yours truly, “Benoit” was returned. And amazingly, he had been completely cleaned, his patches of missing hair had been restored . . . such a nice job the airport did taking care of Benoit!
“something to look forward to once the meat is empty”
I’m wondering if “meat” is what you meant to say or an autocorrect. Truly puzzled and intrigued. If it is accurate, what does it mean? If it is autocorrected from something, then just another fascinating aspect of technology.
We are in an airport hotel in Phoenix after a week of road tripping in AZ. I wanted to have one trip with just us 4 before D24 leaves the nest and she wanted not a beach, not a ski trip, and AZ fit the bill. I lived here as a young adult for a year, so it was the first time I’d been back and the kids got a kick out of seeing my old apartment and workplaces. We did the taliesin west tour, we did a jeep tour and hiking in Sedona, stayed on the rim at Grand Canyon, and for our last day we spent time in Payson rockhounding - D24 loves rocks and architecture, and has dreamed of finding a geode in the wild, and we found over 200! We tossed a bunch back but I have stilled filled all of our hiking boots with rocks and am prepared to pay an overweight fee and/or answer questions. It was a great trip and really hit all the right notes for all of us. Going from 80 degrees here to…. Not 80 back in Maine will be rough.
ETA- Last Sunday we were in Acadia National Park, and D24 pointed out this past Sunday we were in Grand Canyon National Park, and I’m not sure you could visit two more different NPs in one week. I’m a Mainer so foliage is lovely and familiar, but I remain obsessed with saguaro cacti, and we spent one afternoon hiking in McDowell Mtn park just for that!
S24’s favorite childhood stuffy was a Dachshund named Sparky. He was left behind any number of times on various trips, but miraculously we always got him back. Once, S24 forgot Sparky in the gate area when we boarded our plane. The pilot retrieved Sparky himself because boarding was complete when we realized he was missing, and passengers were no longer allowed off the plane. Another time, S24 forgot Sparky at the Harley Davidson museum in Milwaukee where he spent a couple of hours perched on a motorcycle until my husband found him.
We still have a pristine replacement Sparky tucked away in a closet somewhere, just in case. I wonder if Sparky will make the trip to college. D27 would not hesitate but I suspect S24 is a little more concerned about appearances.
Did you ever see the commercial where mom buys a teddy bear and puts it through the paces (rubs and in dirt, runs over with the car….) and the story ends with “Look honey! I found it!”
I have many a story of lost and found/replaced lovies. S24 tucked his away in his closet when he got his braces, and it’s still there. I wonder if he’ll bring the stuffy his gf gave him to college. D27 is already talking about whether or not she’ll bring her lovey to college.
Hi elders! Yes I’m losing it a bit as we near the finish line. For anyone who applied UNC-CH did you, the parents, get a letter in the mail thanking your child for applying? We are OOS and non-alum. It was pretty generic but interesting to get a letter thanking the parents. I’m all for portal astrology…anything to make March easier.
My son applied OOS EA and we got that letter. It was widely discussed in the UNC early forum, and it seemed most everyone got it. My son was admitted EA to Honors Carolina.
Yes I’m losing it a bit as we near the finish line. For anyone who applied UNC-CH did you, the parents, get a letter in the mail thanking your child for applying? We are OOS and non-alum. It was pretty generic but interesting to get a letter thanking the parents. I’m all for portal astrology…anything to make March easier.