Chicago Coffee Share

Good morning, Everyone.

Sit down a minute and have a cup of coffee with me. 

If we were having coffee together, I would report that I am writing from downtown Chicago today- a fantastic city to visit. My first-ever college roommate and long-time dear friend, Renee’s, daughter is getting married. A wedding is a great excuse to get out of town and connect with my soul sister, even if it is a whirlwind weekend.

I traveled alone this time. Matt stayed behind to sail the Bella Vela in the Catboat Rendezvous. The Saturday after Labor Day is the traditional day for this event featuring all models of catboats in and around the Great South Bay. For several years now, the same date has become incredibly popular for weddings. Matt has a fellow sailor crewing with him today. As of this Saturday morning, Dorian’s wrath has passed through with little damage, and the wind is reasonable.

Speaking of hurricanes, my daughter and family had to evacuate their home on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This is their fourth evacuation in four years. Although, to me, it would make sense to hightail it north to Long Island for the duration, (especially when watching how the Bahamas were mercilessly pounded) my daughter and son-in-law opted to pack the car and kids and go on an Evac-ation to a nearby yet safe city. This time they explored Atlanta, Georgia. The kids climbed on and around the Olympic Park and fountains. True to southern hospitality, the Atlanta Braves offered free Thursday night tickets to the evacuees. Finding a perk helps power through the inconvenience and worry. Thankfully, they got home on Friday to lots of branches and some trees down, but the electricity was on, and there was no damage to their home. School and work resume on Monday. Whew!

 If we were having coffee together, I would mention that this week was bittersweet. My last first day of school was on Tuesday. I realized how much I am going to miss the routine, the kids, and my colleagues. I do not have a specific class or caseload, but will soon be testing compiling data and filling in where needed for the next six weeks.

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that Matt and I did squeak in a beautiful sail on Thursday night. Not only was it a perfect evening to just sail around, but friends, who we had not seen in years, joined us. We tacked back and forth on the Great South Bay, sipping Bloody Mary’s Matt had mixed up at home, catching up and laughing a lot. My bittersweet melancholy dissipated. I will be better able to connect with friends during retirement—BIG perk.

If we were having coffee together, I would admit writing was minimal this week. Juggling work, getting ready for the Chicago trip and coming home to follow up appointments swallowed most of my time. Sally Cronin Smorgasbord Blog Magazine has my L is for Lobster essay posted as part of the Archived Potluck. I am enjoying her blog site. As I had mentioned before, between the recipes, book reviews, and lifestyle essays, there is something for everyone. Check it out. 

The wedding is not until tonight, so I have some time to take a pleasant walk downtown or get some writing done. I did go on the Architecture Riverboat Cruise yesterday-highly recommend the excursion. This afternoon I will be meeting with fellow She Writes Press sister authors from the Chicago area. She Writes Press is the indie publisher I used for Hug Everyone You Know. I must thank Michelle Cox for organizing this impromptu gathering.

As always, BIG THANK YOUs go out to, Eclectic Alli for managing Weekend Coffee Share.

Have a good week, Everyone. Make it great!

Antoinette Truglio Martin is the author of Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer. The memoir is a wimpy patient’s journey through her first year of breast cancer treatment.

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