We've added a 3rd member to our merrie band of "Lunch Bunch" ladies (as my dear Mama would say). Beth is a wonderful addition - she gives me a private class in philosophy, which I missed out on in college, while Anne attends current events. She always ensures an engaging, lively discussion in the car & over the meal!
We'll ramble our way to the River Road. Such great fun driving THROUGH the Churchville Nature Center "lake" - the road cuts across, so you have water on both sides. Will the pair of swans be there? Hope so!
Driving through Newtown is always a pleasure. The town was part of the original Penn Grant. Bird in Hand, a beautiful home on the main road, dates to the late 1600s! Just a couple doors down is our family's beloved Pat's Colonial Kitchen - it's been part of our hearts for more years than I can recall. he stories I could tell!! We might skip one of the delicious desserts, opting instead for ice cream at the Zebra Striped Whale. Here's a link to a Velveteen Grammie posting that is quinessential Pat's ~and~ scroll down for a yet-to-be-posted one of Mom's Mindwalker1910 e-mails at the end of this post that captures its spirit.
If Pat's is too busy, we will head up to Charcoal, in Yardley. We'll skip the most direct route (sort of grungy) & arrive via Washingtons Crossing, then down the River Road. Much much much prettier! A little longer, but will arrive in the perfect mood for lunch with Bucks County's 2nd best river view. Am always torn between the spinach, pumpkin seed, craisin & white balsamic dressing salad ~and~ shaved kale caesar with garlic breadcrumb. Over a year ago, it would have been the fried chicken; two weeks ago, there would be blue cheese on the spinach salad. Praise be, my favorite yum is gloriously vegan - a side dish of olives & marcona almonds!
If it weren't for the wonderful ladies at Pat's & the awesome food at Charcoal, would be tempted to head to the best view on the river - the terrace at The Landing, in New Hope. Tempted, terribly tempted. Good food, AWESOME view, tucked in an art colony. On a Thursday, the town would be especially deightful, without all the visitors that descend over the weekend. But John & I are headed up tomorrow morning for breakfast at Fred's, then make overnight reservations at our beloved Porches on the Towpath - do I really want to do that drive twice in 24 hours?
Hmmm... Torn. Guess I won't know WHERE we'll go until we actually get there. Wherever it is, am sure it will be the perfect place to move from a beautiful morning into a glorious afternoon!
Subj: "Gentle."
Date: Sun Nov 5 19:33:02 EST 2000
Elsa whisked me out of the house today, up to Newtown for breakfast at Pat's Colonial Kitchen. We got there at the tag end of their serving hours, so there were several empty tables at the usually packed restaurant. I was relieved, since I did not want to wait out on the chilly porch and waiting in the tiny foyer gives me claustrophobia.
Heading “upstairs” to be seated at my favorite table, we waved to a couple, also devotees of Pat’s, regulars who have become friends of ours. They had their son and his young son and baby daughter, with them too.
We were seated up (two steps!) and they
were seated down, so we did not talk to them a lot. The little boy, whom I peg at around 2 1/2,
came upstairs (two steps up is all) and reverently touched some china
objects on a very low table. His papa
came up and I was very impressed by the young man, who looked down at his son
and said in a very loving voice, "Gentle."
Not, "Don't touch." Not, "Be careful." Just that one word, "Gentle." His positive, reinforcing message went
straight to my heart.
After we finished up and headed out to the
car, we saw our friends help their son load his children into his car. We stood with them as they waved goodbye to
their son and grandchildren. After they disappeared
from sight, his dad sort of casually leaned against the back of our car, almost
looking like the car belonged to him. It
FELT to us like it was his. Elsa coughed
lightly, then said, "Ah, it's ours."
Seeming to come out of a reverie, the friend
looked over to us and explained that they'd walked. He came over to my side, graciously opened
the door, helped me, made sure I was settled and buckled in, and, before
shutting it, cautioned, "Tuck in your foot" just like John or Elsa
would. He even fastened my seat belt. I
was touched and very surprised.
Elsa waited for him to rejoin her and his
wife at the back of the car. She talked with them for a few moments, then gave him a big hug and one to his wife. As
they headed off home and Elsa slipped into the driver’s seat, I mentioned how
floored I was by his tenderness.
"And you didn't even see him
crying," she replied.
It turns out that his mother - whom he
misses every day - had the same sort of car;
he was showing me the tender loving care he showed her.
We never know what impact we are having on
others by just breathing, by driving a certain car, by showing the tender
loving care of a son to a mother.
It was a good day. Best wishes to you all for a good night, with
special
blessing to Dick for being a loving
son. xoxoxox - Mum Lockhart
No comments:
Post a Comment