I’m going to begin this post with a conversation I had last night with my brother, Eddy. *Warning* Eddy has the foulest potty-mouth ever and he was calling me from San Francisco (not his favorite city).
My mobile rings. “This is Barack Obama, it’s time to change America. Answer the call!” That’s my ringtone and I love it.
Me: Hello?
Eddy: Marianne, what the f*** is up with this f***ing city. I f***ing hate it here! Don’t these a**holes celebrate f***ing Columbus f***ing Day?
Me: Oh hi Eddy. What’s up?
Eddy: F***ers! It’s f***ing Columbus Day for f***’s sake.
Me: To Gist – Hmmmmm, we didn’t get Columbus Day off from work in CA, did we? To Eddy – No, I don’t think they do. It surprised me when I lived in SF. But we did get César Chávez Day in March.
Eddy: F***ers! Well I got two $60 tickets today. If they don’t celebrate Columbus Day, I’m going to fight these today. I hate this f***ing state!
Me: Eddy, you were conceived and born in CA. You’re a native Californian.
Eddy: And it’s a f***ing good thing we moved or I’d have to kill myself!More swearing and complaining about California takes place here – just think F-this and F-that and you’ll get the picture…
Eddy, arriving at the parking office: Motherf***ers! This f***ing office is closed for Columbus Day.
Me: Well, at least you’re going to Chez Panisse for dinner. Try to calm down and enjoy your dinner. You can dispute the tickets from home.
Getting off the phone with my potty-mouth brother, I realized how much I love Columbus Day – especially in New England. It’s the perfect time to have a long weekend and enjoy fall’s splendor. So, thanks to Eddy and the SF meter maids for reminding me how happy I am to be back in New England for long foliage-filled October weekends.*
This long weekend was the perfect mix of productive and relaxing. On Saturday we cleaned Gist’s car and now it looks brand new – yay! Then we went to Nightmare New England with one of Gist’s co-workers and her family.
Now I have to admit that this type of activity (FOUR haunted houses?!?) is a bit out of character for me, especially as I am the biggest scairdey-cat in the world, but I ended up having a great time. It was just the right amount of scary and a lot of fun.
On Sunday, we headed out to Western Mass to have lunch with Jeremy and check out the foliage. Jeremy’s new place is crazy-cute!
Lunch at ABC was delicious.
And the foliage was gorgeous!
Both in Western Mass…
…and on the drive down.
And Monday was treated like a Sunday with errands and cooking (Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie and Pumpkin Pie – lotsa pie!) and, for a special treat, we took advantage of our Stonehenge Spa membership and went swimming. Pardon the bad phone-camera picture, but it was so lovely.
We swam in the pool and sat in the hot tub while the autumn colors surrounded us *sigh*
Now it’s back to work but this week is a short one, yay!, and next weekend’s Rhinebeck, double yay!
*I’m not dissing California, it’s is a lovely place and I enjoyed my two years there but I am a New England girl to the core and I’m happy to be home.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I was born & raised in CA too! (Santa Barbara area) I’m loving the New England fall, since I didn’t get to see much of it last year! Pretty pictures!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:34 pm
We don’t get Columbus Day off in Michigan, either. It was so weird.