Good Food, 007 and Spirituality….

We just came home after a fun visit with my cousin and her husband "down on the farm". It's a bit of a drive - about 7 1/2 hours from our condo to Rob an Claudia's acreage on the Ohio River….but it's worth the trip. Claudia grew up in Chicago in a nice brick bungalow on a small city lot….the farm has something like 200 acres. As we often say when we are together "Who would have ever thought?!"

We lucked out on weather so took nice morning walks with the dogs, sat in the sunshine with a cup of coffee watching the birds and just catching up. We shared some good food, the freshly dug "farm potatoes" were especially delicious next to the baked chicken and fresh tomato salad. From garden to table….yummy.

We went to see the new James Bond movie. You must "suspend disbelief" and just enjoy the crazy action and impossible fight scenes but if you've seen all the other Bond's over the years you certainly have to include this one! Arriving back at the farm we sat in the kitchen enjoying a glass of wine (or several) while the conversation ranged from the movie to spirituality to a discussion of "what comes next". It was when Rob began to explain something like "string theory and the speed of light and reality" that my eyes began to glaze.

I needed a tutor to get through algebra and just squeeked through physics with a C- so the more Rob tried to explain the more confused I became. But it was all in good fun and good conversation punctuated with a lot of laughter.

I do wish we lived closer. While growing up we spent most Sunday's together at our grandparent's little house near Antioch, Illinois. Looking back at my life I realize my cousin, just a couple years younger than I am, knows me the longest and the best. As adults we've never lived close to each other….but heartstrings can stretch and I'm so glad we've re-connected over the past ten years.

Plus….it's just fun….down on the farm!