Favorite Visitors

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Having relatives come to visit is such a thrill for me. John’s sister Barbara and husband Thom came here after celebrating the first marriage of a grandchild in Maryland and a visit with Thom’s brother in North Carolina. Their photos showed the relatives that I haven’t seen for years. What a marvelous time to catch up! They gave me a requested summary of the children and grandchildren with love and pride in their voices.

We had only one full day and made the most of it. Both were world-class teachers, and I enjoyed their talking about teaching the same material to multiple classes in a day. I assumed the prep was easy, since they were going over the same material. Not so! Barbara explained that each class was a bit different, so she might cover different angles. She kept notes on what was discussed each period, and tests would reflect that difference. Thom told about giving math tests. He would include similar problems using different numbers. I had difficulty following the logic, but he explained to students that telling others what was on a test would hurt themselves. If it helped someone in a later class, it would raise that grade while lowering the relative score of the helper. I got the gist of it, even if I can’t repeat it clearly.

Both Barbara and Thom like going to different restaurants, so I had two choices to suggest. Both places had good reputations, and I was leaning toward a family establishment perched on the side of a mountain. David and I had eaten there a few years ago. When Thom looked at it on his phone, he found they were closed. I thought it odd that they took off on Mondays and Tuesdays, but we couldn’t force it to open. We went to the Red Fox in town. It has been open a year or so, but I’d not been there. We dealt with large portions in different ways. Barbara ordered an appetizer and a side dish, finishing both. Thom had hot chicken and waffles, and I chose a ham and chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese. We took half home. He ate his that evening, and I had my leftovers for lunch the next day.

We all wanted to walk outside, but rain dictated a postponement the first morning and a cancellation the next.

Weather couldn’t ruin our visiting on the porch. We called to Shawn when she came out and had a lovely visit with her and dog Izzie.

They left after breakfast the next morning, heading to see Barbara’s sister Chris and Steve. I had to be happy that they would be together, so I waved them off with smiles.

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Published by Anne Mehrling

I'm a retiree who loves to write about life in the mountains of North Carolina.

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38 thoughts on “Favorite Visitors”

        1. We lived in the same town until John and I moved to North Carolina 11 years ago. He was still willing to drive there until he died three years ago. It’s much too far for me to drive. I was very pleased when Barbara and Thom said they were coming.

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          1. Thank you so much,Anne. Iam so happy. Very good they are drive the car to you visit 😊. How are you doing? God bless you 🙏.

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    1. I wish you could sit on my porch with me. I spend a lot of time on the back porch where I eat most of my meals. There is also a deck off my bedroom. I can see mountains from all three places. I have been so very blessed to live here.

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  8. Hello Anne, beautiful photos. What a lovely time. Thank you so much for sharing and warm greetings from a retired lady 😊 living in Montreal, Canada ❤️ 🇨🇦

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        1. I don’t have a current passport, either. Daughter Lise would like me to stay with her for several weeks in Denmark. I am highly resistant, although I would love to see her home and all her friends. I have too many regular medical appointments.

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    1. Brother-in-law Thom is several inches taller than John was. Thom is not a blood relative of tall Nathaniel. No one knows where Nate’s height came from. Many of Thom and Barbara’s children and grandchildren are quite tall. They make a very handsome family.

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  11. How wonderful to have family visiting. And teachers too! The restaurant in town sounded interesting. I am with you about taking some home for another time. Lovely photos with your post.

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    1. I always enjoy these particular teachers. Thom has two master’s degrees and taught math at a Christian boarding prep school for 50 years. Barbara taught every level from first grade up. After getting her doctorate, she taught linguistics at the university across the street. oxox

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      1. So very interesting. They have a wealth of memories and knowledge between the two of them. He is a brave man to have taught at a boarding school. Now you have food for thought until the next visit! oxox

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