Got a Happy Story is a community gathering every Friday night where we share stories large and small that have put a smile on our face. It is a time to acknowledge the joy and wonder we experience. The Happy Story diary exists as a way to anchor the community in hope and comfort while we do the hard work of taking back our country. Everyone and all sorts of stories and pictures are welcome. May we find joy and strength here.
We've had a very long week at our house but it mostly came to a close yesterday afternoon when soberboy got off the bus. Today was a professional day for teachers so he has a 4 day weekend. soberdad is just arriving home from work right now. He's happy to be off for 3 days. We don't have huge plans. We'll just kick back and walk on the beach, watch the Red Sox, sleep in and pamper ourselves. We might go apple picking and visit my folks in New Hampshire or we might stick close to home and bring soberboy to City of Ember. What I like about long weekends is that there isn't the pressure to get things done that we have on regular weekends.
My favorite childhood long weekend was also Columbus Day Weekend. We took my grandmother with us to Martha's Vineyard. She rarely got away because she was the caregiver for my great grandmother and my great uncle, and she also worked full time. So it was a very rare treat for her. And it was fun for us because we were used to the Vineyard in the summer. Back then, by October many of the stores and restaurants were closed for the season. It felt a little like seeing behind the curtain at the Wizard's place. We all had a great time and my grandmother felt refreshed and ready to face the long winter ahead.
One of my favorite long weekends as an adult occurred before soberboy was born. We actually took the week after Columbus Day weekend off as well. We drove up the coastline through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. We took pictures of lighthouses and visited soberdad's old naval base at Scoodic Point. Then we drove through the White Mountains enjoying the foliage. We ended up in a cabin on Lake Francis in Pittsburg, New Hampshire.
I love the fall so it isn't surprising that my favorite long weekends have occurred on Columbus Day Weekend.
What are your plans for this weekend, memories of other long weekends, or other happy stories to share?