Off to Princeton We Go
“It’s not a sprint but a marathon” quote from daughter at the 50th Reunion at Princeton. The days leading up to our trip to New Jersey were filled with packing and preparation. The special clothes cleaned, pressed and hung on hangers. Hats in hat boxes, vests folded. Multiple emails to classmates and family. The truly amazing thing to all of us was when we arrived at our hotel and John’s roommate and his wife pulled in right behind us. Other good friends came out the front door before we even got our suitcases out of the car. In the elevator we found the other roommate. Let the festivities begin.
Once we got to campus and gathered together under the tent to begin the celebration of the 50th Reunion of the Class of ’67, it became obvious that this was not for the faint of heart. It was four full to the brim days starting as early as 6:30 in the morning and going full speed ahead until 11:00 PM. We were staying off campus approximately a half hour away which added an hour to the day. Activities included early morning breakfasts and a moving memorial service for the 119 who have died. Lectures throughout the day for some including an incredible chemistry demonstration complete with exploding balloons, walking tours of the campus, loud music, dancing and a major fireworks display in the evenings. The campus reverberated with the bass from the many, many bands playing at the different venues. We went to a tavern in town to get a little peace and quiet, hmmm?
The 80/20 Rule Rules
Food and exercise were put on hold. We were to be fed every meal for four days. Healthy choices sort of. Yes, there was fruit at breakfast but mostly lots of muffins, bagels, sweet breads, coffee and tea. I couldn’t find a single banana! We were offered salad at each meal most of which were delicious but no choice of dressing or ingredients. I’m craving fresh fruit and vegetables and my own cooking. Mostly good choices were made, at least I thought about what I was eating. This wasn’t a time to worry over much about food but rather relax and go with the 80/20 rule.
My typical daily morning walk was given up for adherence to a schedule and the miles were from walking everywhere on campus. My feet and calves were very sore by the end of each day. We walked more than six miles each day. Lots of hills and stairs are in the campus. Only a few times did we take the Rovers. These were extra long golf carts driven by friendly freshmen or sophomores hired by the reunion machine to take anyone who needed a ride where they needed to go. No specific routes you asked they took you there. According to one student 700 applied for the job and 65 were hired. Must admit that could be a fun job on a nice weekend.
Too many wonderful memories from the weekend. We hoped our gang would love it and they did. Grandson Jack was in awe and I think can picture himself there in two years. He says he will need to seriously up his game but you never know, he just might get there. It’s something to shoot for.
The weather was perfect with only a short couple of hours with rain. The rest was sunny in the 70’s. We enjoyed a sea of orange and black during the P-rade on Saturday. We estimate 25,000 people in attendance. The class of ’67 had close to 400 alums then add in spouses and family members and guests and you are over 1000 pretty easily. I can believe that number and might even think it was more. I truly cannot imagine what it takes to pull this off every year. Thank you Princeton for doing it right!
Tales of a Bird Dog
This is how he recovers from scaring his mother almost to death this morning. Chased geese and babies off the beach. This is fun, babies dive and then pop up like something at the county fair, then dive again. Papa’s job was to lure him away from babies. Water very rough, no amount of calling brought him back. Frantic I grabbed a canoe, but wait no paddles, they are locked away, oops. Necessity is the mother of invention. Rowboat, has oars, grab one, jump in canoe and …tackle major headwind and waves with gigantic oar while screaming head off for dog and help. Lady out running called 911, another lady ran down in her pajamas to help. I couldn’t see him because of waves. Panic. I finally got close enough he turned around and followed me back to shore. He was so far out from shore it took us forever to get there. My Wabun canoeists would have been proud. We cancelled 911. I sat exhausted in canoe until John came and took us home. Guess who will never again be loose on the beach?
Post Script: He took off on our fur baby sitter chasing a duck but I guess they are not as interesting as a goose is. He came back very quickly.
Recipe to Try
[mpprecipe-recipe:94]
Food and exercise were put on hold. We were to be fed every meal for four days. Healthy choices sort of. Yes, there was fruit at breakfast but mostly lots of muffins, bagels, sweet breads, coffee and tea. I couldn’t find a single banana! We were offered salad at each meal most of which were delicious but no choice of dressing or ingredients. I’m craving fresh fruit and vegetables and my own cooking. Mostly good choices were made, at least I thought about what I was eating. This wasn’t a time to worry over much about food but rather relax and go with the 80/20 rule.
This is how he recovers from scaring his mother almost to death this morning. Chased geese and babies off the beach. This is fun, babies dive and then pop up like something at the county fair, then dive again. Papa’s job was to lure him away from babies. Water very rough, no amount of calling brought him back. Frantic I grabbed a canoe, but wait no paddles, they are locked away, oops. Necessity is the mother of invention. Rowboat, has oars, grab one, jump in canoe and …tackle major headwind and waves with gigantic oar while screaming head off for dog and help. Lady out running called 911, another lady ran down in her pajamas to help. I couldn’t see him because of waves. Panic. I finally got close enough he turned around and followed me back to shore. He was so far out from shore it took us forever to get there. My Wabun canoeists would have been proud. We cancelled 911. I sat exhausted in canoe until John came and took us home. Guess who will never again be loose on the beach?