Staycation!

This summer we’ve spent a lot of time with rich friends, hence the Camelot song to the right. I think I’ve focused on this because it’s been like kosher salt in the old traveling wound. To wit: our family had originally decided in May that, with the economy and all, we would opt for a ‘staycation’ this summer versus anything more exotic or exciting. My funny friend Mary thinks ‘staycation’ more elegantly describes, “We sat next to the fan in the living room and watched re-runs of Full House.”

Our rich friends found the concept hilarious. They weren’t being mean. They graciously invited us to parties and weekends all summer long claiming there was no need for suffering with a staycation. They just couldn’t understand why we demurred. Reason 1: We felt a little uncomfortable mooching a place, the plane to get there and food and clothing for four. Reason 2: We didn’t see a moment in this lifetime when we could possibly reciprocate.

We know that our presence helps liven up the conversation. Not that my children, husband or I are stellar conversationalists……it’s more that we ask questions or just sit there in stunned silence giving the impression of finely tuned attentiveness to their stories. We are the audience for those who complain about their chef in the Hamptons (compared their chef at home). We map out the stops from the summer-long cruise on the private yacht. We take note of important information like: nannies are invaluable on shopping trips overseas. We just wish they’d drop some stock hints along the way.

We’re invaluable because we can’t really enter the conversation to say, “You know, we’d like to take a drive to Hershey Park for a day, but the ole vacuum needs replacing.” They spilled their Champaign on the pool deck when I piped up to tell them about my summer-long battle against BGE, our local shyster - I mean electric company. No air conditioning = reasonable bills we concluded after selling the family dog to pay the June bill. Our rich friends thought we were so inventive. Sad to say no creative thought went into that story.

Now that it is August, I can honestly say that our staycation has made us appreciate certain things: Like air conditioning in the hotel. On the bright side, we spent time with the family dog (got him out of hock), played in the creek out back, attended Fourth of July parades, cleaned out the basement, went to the library, had drinks on the deck under the stars (code for cooler) and visited friends who also had no air conditioning. We generally hung out at home and found free things to do in the area. Well, it wasn’t the islands, but if you’re interested - here are some pics from when we weren’t sitting next to the fan in the living room watching re-runs of Full House:
Seeing if Elsie will Eat Eggs and Pancakes (no)


With Girlfriend Keely in the Garden

Playing on the Back Deck with Friend Jack

Harry Potter Birthday Party at the Library with Friend Alexander

Riding the Wagon on the Hill


"Riding" (note quotes) Our Neighbor's Horses