On Gallivanting

Posted on by Claremary P. Sweeney
Baltimore Inner Harbor Sights
Inner Harbor Baltimore
Warning! Books inside made cause you to think!
USS Constellation 1854
Dragon Boats and Aquarium

Today is Charley’s Birthday! As many of you know, my husband is a cancer survivor, in remission, but still involved in clinical studies to find the cure. We were in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins this week and after all of the regular hospital stuff, we took time to walk around the Inner Harbor and have lunch on the deck at the Irish Pub. We sat, holding hands, overlooking Ā all of the sights and goings on below us and kept affirming how lucky we were. At night, we went to Camden Yards to see the Orioles play the Yankees (Charley’s favorite team) and in true Birthday fashion, the Yanks won 8-3.

In one of my previous posts, I told about Charley’s celebration of April as my “Birthday Month”. And so, June has arrived and I feel I must reciprocate.

Books are minds

While we were in Baltimore, we went to Barnes and Noble, so he could make a Birthday Book Wish List. This will help a bit. He also loves those awful NY System Hot Wieners he gets at Snoopy’s Diner. The hot dogs with the Ā disgusting, smelly sauce that continues, as breath is exhaled, Ā to permeate and destroy any surroundig oxygen molecules in the near vicinity. He usually gobbles down three in a sitting . The subsequent drive home in a closed-in vehicle is a test of true love. But, it is HIS Birthday Month!

Birthday Boy With Tongue Hanging Out

In May, we took a vacation to Savannah, Charleston and Hilton Head where he golfed with friends at some of his favorite courses. I even did 18 holes with him after not having played for 4 years. It appears my muscle memory is still intact and I’ve not lost the ability to hit that stupid, little, dimpled ball. I’d hoped we could take the trip in June and playing golf could take up most of his Birthday Month wishes, but scheduling did not allow for this and a golden opportunity was lost. I may have to play some “Birthday Celebratory” rounds during the next few weeks.

Now, it isn’t the game so much as the interminable amount of time it takes to play 18 holes that wears on me. Mark Twain said it all: “Golf is a good walk spoiled.” Standing at the 2nd tee, all I can think of is how much editing still needs to be done on the proof of Last Train to Kingston before the book launch on July 2nd.

Golf is mostly a head game and my head is never where it should be. I fully realize I am out there for companionship value and as an amusement factor. I accept this as the fate of one who, when being proposed to, said, “I don’t want a diamond. If I’m going to be married to you for the rest of my life, I’ll need graphite golf clubs.” Ā I’m on my second set after 17 blissful years.

Which reminds me, our anniversary is coming up in August. I’m not sure I can take another month of celebrating. Ah, for the good old days when Hallmark was a mere glint in someone’s eye.

Roxie Ready To Go

Roxie wants you to know she is not pleased with all of our gallivanting. I admit, it has been busy but, hopefully, I’ll get back to the blogosphere and catch up on what has been happening while I was on the road. Maybe she’ll even get to put her two cents worth in?

Have a peaceful weekend and a very pleasant June!

PS. Happy Birthday, Honey. I’m not buying you a card because you know how I feel about Hallmark! So, these will have to do. Love you more!

 

85 thoughts on “On Gallivanting”

  1. This is what true commitment and true love are all about – sticking together and lending support no matter the circumstances. Good for you on all the milestones and all the celebrations. As for Roxie – please tell her she’s my favorite.

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    1. Sharon, I thought of you while we were in Baltimore. The Main Stree is Pratt Street. Now that I’m home, I’ll visit your blog soon. Roxie sends her thanks and understands fully why she would be your favorite. (Humble ball of fur!) She wants you to know she picked out the last two graphics.

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      1. Pratt is my married name. My husband was born in Bethesda but he’s never said anything about broad family connections. However, Pratt is a common name and found throughout the country. My maiden name is Bonin, so rare that when I was a kid, only family members had the name. Now it is much more common, and I think I may be distant relations with a few of the other Bonins.

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  2. The joy and friendship of your marriage is wonderful. It is uplifting to see people who like to be together instead of having to be together. The pictures are interesting, but I really love the boats. The colors and design of them stand out and catch the eye. Be well. Happy birthday to your hubby. Hugs

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    1. Thank you. We really do enjoy each other’s company and appreciate the extra time we’ve been given from the success of his treatments. I was 50 when we married and he had been through a terrible betrayal in his marriage. Our ages and past experiences have helped to prioritize everything for us. Hugs, to you, too, Scottie!

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      2. Roxie is beside herself tonight because her official start to summer is tomorrow. Charley and I cleaned the gazebo today and put the furniture in. She screamed at the window for the whole two hours we were outside working on it. I’m sure the time until she finally gets into the gazebo tomorrow afternoon will be interminable for the poor creature.

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  5. Second time around, eh? They say that is better. I, to, love the boats, especially the tall sail ships. Not that I would ever go on a trip with them, but they are so beautiful and the stand for epic adventure. My book is supposed to be available at Barnes and Noble. Maybe yours will be, yes?

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    1. Second time for Charley, first for me. I never really wanted to get married, but when you meet your perfect partner, it’s hard to stay single. Yes, As soon as the final Proof is okayed, it will be up on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Indy Press. At this point, I hope the final proof will be finished this week???????

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  6. I love the word “gallivanting”, your story about the long ride home in the car after all those hot dogs, the golf clubs instead of diamond tale, and both images at the end. I guess that means I must love this post!

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    1. Thank you, Russ. Yes, I think someone else with a beautiful partner could identify with the true love stuff. I do find old fashioned-words creeping into my writing. Maybe they’ll come back in vogue?

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    1. Thanks, Cynthia. The idea is all Charley’s. He loves celebrations, while I’m much more low-key. Now, yesterday, on his birthday, I did arrange for a double rainbow. We have an actual photo of us under the rainbow and I’ll include it in the next post. Pretty good present, I would say.

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  8. Birthday wishes to Charley. I hope you both enjoy his month of celebrations, though I don’t envy you it taking place mainly on the golf course! I’m with Mark Twain on this one. I don’t play but Jon does – a lot. I do try to look interested and encouraging when I’m treated to a stroke by stroke account of his round. It was so much easier when he could tell my dad (who also golfed) about it!

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    1. Mary, I didn’t know your dad golfed. And Jon, too! Whatever you do, do not take it up or you’ll never have a moment to write again!. Charley would love to play Saint Andrews, so this could be in our future. I’ll definitely make sure you’re the first to know if we head for Scotland. Don’t you find it amazing they can remember every stroke on every hole but can’t remember something you just said five minutes ago?

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      1. It would be brilliant if you came to Scotland. We could leave the men on the golf course and go off to do more interesting things. You are totally right about the astonishing way their memories work – total recall from the golf course and completely blank regarding the cinema/dinner/theatre/pint of milk conversation.
        You can buy gift vouchers for golf on the different courses at St Andrews, some of which include an hour with a pro (possibly even a round with a pro). They are valid for a year so you’d have to be sure you’d be able to come over within 12 months of buying it. I can’t remember the company but I’m sure you’ll find it on Google.

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  9. Happy birthday Charlie! A brush with the big C brings life into sharp focus. I wish we could appreciate it the same way without the trauma. You are blessed Clare – but you already know that. Looking forward to the launch date.

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    1. Robyn, You really do understand why each day, each moment, is a precious gift. And I will be the first to admit I’m blessed and never take it for granted.
      I’ve been advised by my publisher that no matter how much I edit, there will always be errors in the final product. But I keep at it. At some point I have to stop the revisions and let it go! July 2nd, The launch date is fast approaching! Arrrrrrrrgh! Thanks and I’ll visit soon. Clare

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      2. You’ll be glad to know I took a break and have been doing some yard work for the past three days. The bearded and flag Iris, french lilacs, peonies, clematis and weigelia are now in bloom and it is truly envigorating to be outside!

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  10. Happy Birthday Charley! I hope you both have a wonderful month, though I’m with Mark Twain all the way on golf! I’m more built for darts, but that eight feet walk to the board is a bit of a challenge! Good luck with completing your book, and with a fair wind you’ll find that July arrives without Roxie setting fire to your garden šŸ˜Š

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    1. Thanks, Clive. We are having fun. Spring has been beautiful so far. Roxie is chomping at the bit because she watched us cleaning the gazebo this afternoon. We’ll probably take her there tomorrow and if we don’t she’ll excape and set fire to everything!

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      1. Glad to hear it’s so good for you. It must be terrible to live your life in thrall to a cat tho! Have fun tomorrow. I’m up late watching news of what looks like another terrorist incident in London. Happening now so details not known. Stay safe, my friend

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      3. It’s ongoing, still very unclear. I checked my daughters were safe – both are, though one of them was in that area earlier this evening! I’m dreading the details, it doesn’t sound good.

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      4. Clive, It appears a white van with 3 men ran into pedestrians on London Bridge, jumped out and began stabbing people. Either the men ran to Borough Market or there was a coordinated attack there with men stabbing people. In one bar, customers began throwing bottles and going after the attackers with chairs. Potentially 7 people dead and many injured in 2 hospitals which have been placed in lock- down. The investigation appears to be still ongoing. I’m glad your daughters are safe.

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      5. It looks like it was the same three men. Six dead, the attackers all shot dead by police, 48 in hospital, some seriously ill. It’s horrible, innocent people enjoying their Saturday evening out getting caught up in something like this. I can’t comprehend what these fanatics think they will achieve.

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      9. It really is. My younger daughter was there two hours before it happened. You can’t imagine how thankful I am that they decided to spend their evening north of the river, a couple of miles away.

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    1. What a beautiful thing to say – a gift in itself. Charley and I have gone through situations which forced us to prioritize in our lives and to cherish even the simple things. If I could bottle the experience, I would. It would save people so much sadness. We wish you a wonderful weekend, too. And a Happy Birthday Year for all of us.

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  14. Gooood Morning! Looks like a wonderful time! I want to go on a dragon boat! Happy Birthday again Charles! Hope you have an exciting Birthday month! I love you two to the moon and back!!! I love the pictures especially the gopher!! Talk soon! xo

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  15. A nice reminder for me of how much I used to enjoy going to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and nearby Little Italy (I lived in DC for 20 years). So many teams copied Camden Yards after it opened because it was a wonderful throwback to how baseball stadiums used to be constructed — for baseball, not “multi-purpose.” Baltimore’s been through such drama and tragedy in the last couple of years… but I will always root for its success. Thanks for the pics! – Marty

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    1. Marty, In my home town, the powers that be are deciding what to do with the old Paw Sox Stadium and I hope, if they build a new one, it will be modeled after Camden Yards. I have much love for Baltimore because it is the city we went to to save Charley’s life. We travel from the airport by light rail into the city and I would love to be a writer in residence on the rail. So many stories to be told.

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  18. You two! You make my heart lift and sing. You define what true love and commitment mean and that is the most precious of things. I hope the birthday boy enjoyed the weekend and his beautiful wife did too. I send you both sincerest, warmest and most heartfelt of good wishes today and every day and most of all I wish you the longest of lives together X

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    1. Hello, my gallivanting friend. Yes, inspite of continuing attempts by Charley’s daughter, spurred on by his ex, to come between us, we are still together and more committed than ever. I’m sure you can empathize with this in some ways. Unfortunately, it has been overcast and rainy here in New Englansd and the golf courses have been too soggy for play during the past few days. So, Charley is soldiering on with me here in the house doing “housey things” and longing for the sun to shine on through. I hope all is well with you across the ponda. Roxie sends her love to the Bean and says she would help take care of that pesky neighbor cat if she were there.

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      1. You can tell Charley that I was on a golf course for the first time since I was 19 and ceremoniously banned by my father after having an epic tantrum and hurling my clubs everywhere!! I actually quite enjoyed it but think I will stick to spectating – it’s safer šŸ˜‰ Stepchildren are the very devil. Mine tried a trick when I first moved to France but it died a death very quickly – but that was easy for me as I brought them up on my own and their father is to put it politely, a little tenuous and always has been in their lives. My stepson was another mess but we seem to be coming through it. Charley’s ex needs to be put in a pea green boat and floated out into an endless sea. It infuriates me – highly un-necessary and frankly undignified female behaviour! The Bean says Roxie is welcome anytime on cat patrol for Roxie is an honorary dog in her eyes!

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      2. Osyth, I remembered you’d had similar experiences with your stepsonwhen you were here in the states. I’m glad you were able to handle the latest. Charley also can be quite tenuous around Abbey because of the grandchildren. She threatened not to let him see them once, last year, when she wanted him to babysit and he could not. He put his foot down and told her she’d gone too far. But right now she’s up to her old tricks again trying to manipulate him, like her mother manipulates her, and in the process come between us. It all will make for a good book some day, I suppose. As far as his ex is concerned, dignity was never part of her make-up.
        I’m up early to do a last minute check of the book edits. I’m meeting with the publisher today to see if we can’t get this book ready for print. Take care ā£ļø

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      3. You remember correctly … I am touched. I am delighted that Charley stood his ground but it is absolutely frightful that he has to. His ex sounds like HB2’s ex (we call her the ex-crĆØment) … I shall look forward to the book! Have a glorious day chez the publisher …. hard work but SO exciting! X

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  19. What a wonderful, warm message of love and celebration. Your marriage has many delicious ingredients, and a couple of good cooks.

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  21. Urgh! I know ‘hot dog breath’… get it here, too. I’ve stopped eating them (or mostly… sometimes I can’t resist a tiny bit) but other half still does… stinky! Love those boats! I never used to be a fan of boats or ships but my father in law used to sail when he was younger so I’ve been paying more attention.

    So glad Charlie had a good time and that you both enjoyed yourselves. Somehow, also, I had previously missed that he’s a cancer survivor, so glad for both of you.

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    1. We have had a nice June and have high hopes for a lovely summer. I think for the final week of June, I will take him back to the diner for another round of NY System weiners. I, myself, order a grilled cheese. Yes, Charley has been dealing with cancer for 10 years now and involved in clinical trials at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. The latest trial has placed him in remission and we enjoy the gift of every day we’ve been given. Thanks, Val and I hope your summer is wonderful.

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  22. Hey there, friend Claremary – just to say thank you for your loyalty and encouragement. I love your posts. There didn’t seem to be a way to thank you for the likes, so here are your hugs (((((Thank You, my friend)))))

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    1. You are quite welcome, Herb. I am an avid follower of your Blog now that I can get to it through Face Book. You’ve been quite popular and busy lately!
      I sent the final edits of the book in today and they will be delivered around July 6. Just in time for the Launch on the 9th -cutting it close. Tonight I even had time to write a first draft for a blog post. I just need to add a link and some pictures and I can publish it tomorrow some time. Hugs to you, too, my friend.

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      2. Yes, perhaps I’m made to write just for the pure pleasure of it and never publish? I hope you received the final draft of this post. Like you, I’m not very technologically adept at times. I pushed “publish” on the first draft and then had to scramble to fix it. I think only people who get notification emails when I post were the casualties.
        My bucket is certainly full today. Have a good one, Herb.

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  23. Dear Roxie, Please tell Clare that I’m notorious for reading blog posts backwards (most recent to least recent instead of the other way around) and now see that the launch party is soon. July 2nd! Is she going to leave you for that event too? You poor mistreated kitty. I hope her party goes well and she buys you some well deserved treats.

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    1. I have not been invited because I am in big trouble. I escaped 4 times in the past two weeks adding, according to Mom, to an already very stressful situation. But I may figure out a way to get there. I love a party!
      I have to send this off before SHE sees it. Your friend, Roxie D.

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      1. Roxie, I am sure Clare would love it if you went to the party. Just sneak out when she’s carrying the big boxes of books. Or even better, throw some of those books out of the boxes so you can get a ride. What a great surprise when you pop out of the box instead of those books. Let me know how it goes, okay?

        Johanna

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      2. Dearest Johanna, I have been spending much of my time inside one of the boxes of books that are now taking up the dining room floor and table. And to think I complained about the holiday decorations! Ah, for those good old days. At least I could knock the faceless angels over. I have become resigned to the fact my life will never be documented for posterity. Such a loss for humanity! Your bitter friend, Roxie D.

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