Goodbyes And A Party

Good day.  Got up north at 10:00 and enjoyed interacting with the two boys and the couple.  Far north contingent arrived a few hours later, with the other boys, J. and R., as did J. and T.'s mother, Jen (is all that straight?).  We had a good time chatting and overseeing what seemed remarkably like four dozen kids, not just four, they're such a thundering horde.  I'm over my hurt and disappointment about my no-show guests and understand how they needed to get home--for one thing, to take care of the chickens.
Jen had brought big bags of bagels and some of us had that for lunch, others grilled cheese sandwiches, Joel his leftover ziti, and so on.  Grandson J., senior, had acquired a big, open trailer from somewhere, and that was packed up with the mountains of suitcases, boxes, bags, and other paraphernalia generated by four boys visiting two different households for a month.
Got a cell phone call from brother, Jim, in Falls Church.  Their electricity was out from the time of the storm on Friday to Sunday morning.  Geez, I would have gotten in the car and gone elsewhere--well, maybe not. 
Reluctantly said goodbye to all, then drove home.  Changed, cleaned up, and strolled three doors down to Ray and Barbara H.'s for their fourth of July party. They usually have many more people--yesterday, only thirteen  attended, probably because others were away or had company--but it was fun and the food was, of course, superb.  I managed not to speak at all to Julie and Gary L., the former the author of the scurrilous letter maligning our trustee, Joan C. 
Stayed a few hours, then said my goodbyes.  No plans for the rest of the week, but will call sister Betty and make a date to go down south (Ventnor) to see my niece and nephews.
Just read my friend, Pat R.'s blog, in which she expresses her sadness and loneliness after the recent death of her beloved husband.  I recognize her grief--what's that song, "heartbreak, my old friend"? or something--and surprised myself by weeping.  There's a kinship in sorrow, but no healthy person wants to join that club. 
WIDER:  A thoughtful essay on a "civil" president:
http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/07/02/mr_president_don_t_salute_the_troops_this_4th_of_july