Pennsylvania Amish and Ohio Football Fanatics

Mom, Laurie and I took a road trip down to Ephrata, PA last weekend so that I could meet my new nephew, Aidan Nash (well, okay, "great nephew", but who's counting generations here? being a great aunt is a little too close to being a grandmother for me, so I will just pretend that this new crop of babies coming in are still my nieces and nephews!). Many of you had the opportunity to meet this new addition to the fam back in July, but I was away, so making his acquaintance was a first for me. Gotta check em all in you know. Aidan is great, healthy and beautiful, and full of spirit. I think Rob and Lynn plan on keeping him around for a while. Would be nice if they could keep him little for good while though....not that we don't love our teenagers and young adult offspring...it's just a bit easier to know where they are at the age of 3 months! We enjoyed our visit with Rob, Lynn and Aidan, and then headed back to Connecticut on Sunday, but not before taking a nice buggy ride through Amish farmland, with a very humorous and knowledgeable driver. So beautiful down there.

I was off adventuring again this past weekend to Ohio to attend a football game at John Carroll University in Cleveland, catching Ben Rulli (my friend Marilou's son) getting some playing time as a "special team" offensive lineman. For any of you who know anything about football, Don Shula, the "winningest" NFL coach of all time, graduated from John Carroll University. For any of you who like Tim Russert, the host of "Meet the Press", he is also a John Carroll grad. For anyone who has never been to Ohio in the Fall, let me just tell you that this is FOOTBALL country! From the Peewees to the Ohio State Buckeyes, these people live football in the Fall. We attended a high school game on Friday night, and there must have been 3000 people there, and this was not even that big a high school. It's really a lot of fun, and I can see why they like it. I am completely lost, however, when they start dissecting each play. Pretty complicated game. But the enthusiasm is infectious. It was a fun weekend, spending time with my friend, getting to see Ben play during his college "career" and enjoying the gorgeous weather.

Speaking of the gorgeous weather, I am really trying to savor the unseasonable sunshine and warmth, we've been blessed with, and save it up for those freezing January nights. I haven't even turned my heat on yet.

Hope to do a little hiking and kayaking the next few weekends to get out an enjoy our great New England Autumn.