Grandson David (22) and I had a rare day together when John drove to New York to pick up grandson Nathaniel. Kate, the boys’ mother, was driving herself down from New Jersey. David and I had an easy treat for dinner – pepperoni pizza. One bite, and David succumbed to temptation.

Daughter Kate phoned around eight in the morning, and I turned my phone over to David while doing other things. They talked for HOURS. Only at the end did I find out they were chatting while she began the long trip from New Jersey. We continued the conversation on our mountain excursion, and David talked with her again the last two hours of her drive. David kept his mother company from NJ to NC, almost like an inexperienced pilot being talked down from the sky.

While we waited for the others to come, David and I explored one section of the Blue Ridge Parkway for several hours. It was a perfect day for it with lots of clouds, rain showers, and a little thunder thrown in. Bright sunshine on a cloudless day seems to wash half the character from the mountains.

The next morning, Nathaniel (17) and Kate said I looked tired and sent me back to bed. When I got up, that dynamic duo were cooking breakfast. Kate was assistant to the chef.

All five of us gathered to eat Nathaniel’s sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, and biscuits. It was a leisurely meal. John sent us out for half the morning walk while he cleaned the kitchen.

After David went to work, Kate asked Nathaniel to pose for a photo to show how tall he is. I think we all felt our visit was off to a great start.