Last Wednesday, we set out from Gold Country to Old Gold Country. The primary mission was to join in the celebration of Devin and Julie Long's wedding. WOO HOO! The secondary goals were to disrupt CCC choir practice, wreak havoc on the Becchetti household, eat as much free food as possible, and set the Guinness World Hugging Record. Missions all accomplished (not absolutely sure about the hugging thing, but we got close)!
The San Joaquin Valley was beautiful, with super-green hills and blooming orchards (just like a couple of days before, when I was driving home from LA). Here's a pic from the moving car. And it was eerie how easily we sailed through LA late on a Wed. afternoon. Actually, both directions were strangely free of maddening monster traffic jams. What gives? The Rapture? Bird Flu? Preparation for Oscar parties? So, yes, the timing for our assault on choir practice was perfect! We arrived just at starting time (traditional burritos in hand), so that, of course, it couldn't. Start, that is.
Ha ha! But Valerie smiled through it. It was sort of a smile. When our burritos were finally plugging our mouths shut, we listened to the lovely singing...to recorded accompaniment. Terry, their piano guy, was gone that evening. So, Tom plopped himself down and filled in. Just like old times. At the break, we got to chat a bit more with our friends and soak in lots of hugs. After the break--oops, there was no "after". It was time to go home. Ha ha! Sorry, Val!
Then, it was off to the Becchetti's B&B. Kyle was in Chicago, unfortunately, doing "Important Stuff" at North Park College/Seminary. But, Noel was there to greet us with yummy (sorry, Rachel) dessert. He's quite the Mr. Hospitality and runs a tidy establishment, for future reference. One of the advantages of staying there, besides hanging with our good neatnik friend, was that we had plenty of time to practice our song for Devin and Julie's wedding. No kidding! They asked us geezers to sing and play a beautiful song during the ceremony! Noel played the guitar and sang lead, while I added harmony and Tom filled in the background on the keyboard. Both Tom and I really do miss playing and singing (respectively) with other folks, so it was great to have such fun opportunities, last week.
Hmm. I've only covered the first day, so far. Tomorrow, if you can stand the suspense, there will be further Adventures of Tom and Sandy in Sandiegoland (Sandy wonders...did we take a wrong turn? What's with the rain!).
