With very limited access to the Net, I’ve allowed myself to fall far behind in noting what’s been going on here. Saturday, Margaret and I spent the evening with friends from long ago at the former Alpha Rho Upsilon house (now named Helmreich House after Ernst Helmreich, beloved professor of history at Bowdoin and grandfather of two of our friends).
We saw more old friends than I can name here; it was a great joy to reunite with them and to meet the many who came to ARU after us. Add to them all the number of our friends who would have liked to celebrate with us, but for one reason or another could not, and the occasion touched very many of us. Late in the evening, JB recited “Gunga Din” in honor of Rich Herzog; we drank a toast in his honor, and dreamt of glad times with him.
Margaret and I were staying at a hotel out the Bath Road past this house, where Joe and I once lived. Back in our day, it was rather less polished, but it was home for a number of us. And at least it was in better condition than the Silver Palace, the house across the street.
We saw Pippa in The Three Musketeers again on Sunday. (The stark lighting and the lack of controls on my camera account for the washed-out faces.)
Monday we visited with Pat and Dick at Damariscotta Lake, which was so much excitement that Beatrice needed to relax and unwind.
And yesterday we resumed our slow odyssey to Durham. We left Maine in the morning, and paused for a visit to Margaret’s hometown, Rockport Massachusetts, and the church her dad served as rector, where Margaret and I were married.
From there, we motored south to Quincy, to check up on Project X. It’s not that we doubted that Steve and Sage were presiding over the birth and growth of a fascinating young woman — just, when you’re dealing with writers of fiction, it’s worth looking into the details for yourself. Margaret made some up-close observations, and we agree that Gretchen belongs to the category of those most wonderful young people who will change the world markedly for the better, if the rest of us don’t louse it up first.
After all of which, we hunkered down in our humble Red Roof and yielded to slumber’s irresistible importunity. The rest of today should be an easy-paced recuperation, then we’ll set off for Long Island tomorrow.
Your good wife is millions prettier than this picture!!!
folks:
your postings regarding my beloved big brother richard herzog have meant so much to me. i confess i do check from time to time. back when, richard had hoped so much i would go to bowdoin as had he, and admissions was hopeful, but my heart belonged to mount holyoke and i graduated from there in 1984. as the youngest of four children and the only girl i was ever competitive and waas proud i could go somewhere my big brothers could not:).
the woords expressed have been a comfort and i thank you for that. of particular interest is the posting by the student of rick;s who may or may not be now deployed. i work here in rhode island as a social services case manager and have the capability to ensure he gets a care package which might include useful items. could you give him my email or give his to me? i am jeanie herzog at jccherzog@yahoo.com or can be reached at the jonnycake center of westerly at 401.377.8069.
bless you for your very good work.
best-
jeanie herzog