Concord, May 6, 7

  We drove from Pittsfield to Concord on new roads, something we always love to do. We wound our way through the countryside in northwestern Massachusetts, ending up on the Mohawk Trail and eventually on Route 2. We stopped in West Acton for a fish lunch and ate outside, optimistic for our first glimpse of the sun in over a week. We even braved the upper 50 degree temperature to eat outside.
    Before the gang came home from school, Mark and I visited the North Bridge in Concord to see the statue of the Minute Man, the first-ever sculpture of Daniel Chester French, done in his early 20s. We were quite ready for a walk and it was interesting to see the sculpture after readying about French while we were in Pittsfield.

Minute Man

    It is always delightful to be with Jecca, Willy, Otis and Hank and to see their loving family and their busy lives.
    Willy made burgers on the grill and we had bought the fixings, per Jecca's request, for banana splits. Jecca had duty till 11:30.
     The next day, Saturday, Jecca and Willy, of course had classes. Mark went to visit his sister, Carol in Bridgewater and Barbara stayed home with Otis and Hank. The boys bicycled into Concord (4 miles each way) and she met them. They picked out a Mother's Day present for Jecca and then went to the Concord Cheese Shop for lunch.

Hank, Concord Cheese Shop

Otis, Concord Cheese Shop

 The boys had rehearsal at the Concord Youth Theater for their upcoming show, Robin Hood for the entire afternoon. Willy had a crew race.
   We all went to Ginger in Bedford for dinner. It was very busy and Mark didn't get his meal until after the rest of us were done. They did the right thing and did not charge him for it, but...poor Mark.
    The next morning, Mother's Day, Barbara got some lovely presents - 3 pairs of character socks, new slippers and a gorgeous overshirt. (Don't know what it's called, but a gauzy, filmy beautiful green "shirt" to wear over another shirt.) The boys gave Jecca a book of short stories.
    Then, we left Concord and headed for the boat. We shopped, as usual, before embarking. We ate at Common Ground on Main Street and had a very nice lunch. The boat ride was uneventful and we arrived to a sunny day -yay, it's been so long since we really saw the sun.
    And, what a great homecoming. Nick and Liz were waiting on the front porch to help us unpack. They had flowers on the table and had made a wonderful meal. We had a nice tour of all the work they have done on the cottage - a new upstairs bathroom, newly painted downstairs hall and bathroom, a fixed bookcase etc. Liz took down all the curtains and washed them. Nick painted the front door and all the old baseboard heaters. And, at our house he put in a gutter and downspout on the front porch so that we aren't always dripped on. Wow...very impressive.
    Home.