Thanksgiving dinner in Atlantic Highlands at my friend Pat's house... from foreground left around the table: Lyell, my old friend and jazz chanteuse extraordinaire; Stevie Z., Lyell's ex and still a dear friend of hers and good pal of mine, visiting from Shreveport, La. (who's taken one flight with me so far); Kerin, Lyell's old friend from St. John, USVI (also a passenger of mine); Doug, Lyell's current beau and a superb jazz guitarist; Lyell's sister Kit, Lyell and Kit's mother, Pat (aka "Bubbles"... her late husband was a B-24 navigator based in Italy during the Big Deuce); Kit's daughter (who's name I tragically but typically can't remember); and Parlin, Doug and Lyell's daughter, who was born in my house right here in Newark 7 years ago.
Stuffed ourselves silly on a a fine variety of goodies... always nice to be a guest in Bubbles' house; been a while. Kerin and Steve were in town mostly for our friend Billy's memorial get-together... he'd sat at this table once before, and we all gave thanks for having known such a good friend.
Pat's dog Katie... the house is small, and Katie is quite large and rambunctious, so she's often told to "go home" to her little cage, especially when there's company. Never have to close the door, though... she's a good girl.
Decided to crash at Lyell and Doug's house in Asbury Park... here's Lyell tending the fire, with their faithful mutt Chelsea supervising.
Got up bright and squirrely the next morning to take Chelsea and Peg for a romp on the beach; it was mild and sunny, with a decent breeze... perfect for sailing.
Nice flying weather, too- but these Canada Geese seem to be going the wrong way...
The NYC area shipping lanes pass close by here...
Chelsea, another wonder-dog... she was struck by a car just this spring, and had the top of one femur removed because the damage to the ball joint was too severe. You'd hardly know it now, but she's walking on muscle alone on one side in the rear; it's barely slowed her down. Good dog.
And of course there's Peg, always up for a morning on the beach...
