Pinky swear ...

Teen Girl and I just returned from a whirlwind weekend in Philadelphia to visit College Girl who moved across the country more than a month ago. I snapped this shot of them surreptitiously as they walked along, pinky in pinky, like they do at home. My heart swells with happiness just thinking about how close they are, and at how hard I laughed this weekend over ... well, I really can't say. It was girl stuff! =)

The more I visit the City of Brotherly Love, the more I'm smitten. On this trip, we shopped in the boutiques of Old City, strolled through Penn's historic campus, ate decadent desserts in University City ~ the pumpkin cheesecake rocked ~ and watched street dancers bounce on wiry arms in Rittenhouse Square. Such good memories, all.

Today I'm back and doing a final read-through of an editing assignment, then it's on to some writing that's been awaiting my attention. Here's to love, new journeys, and beachy days, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

Thinking of pie ...

So Teen Girl and I wandered into Pier 1 today and bought some candles that smell like spice cake. And that reminded me that we hadn't stopped at the local pumpkin patch in, oh, about eight years ~ not since she was in kindiegarten and I was one of the carpool moms. It's crazy that just because the kids grow up and move out (two in college now ... sniff sniff) we halt traditions, such as wading through hay and dirt to find the perfect pumpkin to grace our doorstep.

And so while out shopping for clothes that we never did find, we took the scenic route home along corn-dusted farms and leafy fields that stretch nearly to the sea. I love these roads, just a long stone's throw from our beachy neighborhood. By the number of cars entering the makeshift, dirt parking lots, so do our neighbors and visitors.

The big guy in the seat belt looked pretty lonesome out there in the patch surrounded by fashionable plus-sized gourds, their round bellies protruding like giant swim rings ~ and we were both smitten. He has personality, we said. The guy at the wooden check-out shack called him, "lanky." What started out as a hunt through a vast pumpkin patch turned out to be a quick trip when we spotted this big guy and brought him home.

Here's to new seasons that resurrect old traditions. Have a beachy week, my friends ~ wherever you are ...