Friday “Field Trip” Fun and Keeping Busy

Most days my routine doesn’t vary too much so I appreciate opportunities to mix it up a little. Friday my husband and I decided to head up the hill to a local nature preserve with great vistas. We invited along our youngest who doesn’t work on Fridays and she said she’d love to come along. And then our eldest who works from home said she could take a long lunch and join us too. What a delight!

We started our little trip grabbing a bite at my husband’s workplace. I had gourmet trout, grilled asparagus, roasted carrots, lavender shortbread cookies. Not your typical cafeteria food! Up at the park, the clouds were just starting to burn off. Looking northward you could see San Francisco in the hazy distance.

**My youngest was trying to take in the Bay view to the east and got an eyeful…of her sister!**

I saw all kinds of loveliness closer to the ground, even with what we consider weeds.

We couldn’t stay long but it was sweet outing with enough time to talk and enjoy nature. I treasure these times because I know there might come a day when my adult daughters will not live close by. (I try not to think about that!!)

On the vintage front, I’ve been busy listing finds and personal items (mostly quirky books gathering dust on my shelves).

I have so many reference books I acquired to help me in my biz, but I realize some I will likely never use again. Usually they are of no great value, but books are so easy to list, store and ship that I don’t mind. I did really enjoy looking at this 1968 “Decorative Antique Ironwork” book with over 4500 fascinating items. (Listed for $20.)

And I finally decided it was time to let my aunt’s 1950s shorthand textbook (“Gregg’s Advanced Dictation Simplified”) go. She was a secretary, then later executive assistant, for 40 years. I love that it belonged to her, but it’s not a book I’ll ever use or look at. I have other things from her estate that are much more meaningful.

And this 1984 “Nassau Literary Review” is a Princeton University student publication. Scarce as it turns out. I have no memory of where/when I acquired this but I’m hoping someone from that graduating class or one of the feature writers/artists will want it! (Listed for $24.)