I had a wonderful time at the Newport Folk Festival this summer with my husband, Josh, daughter, Eleanor, and friends. We rented a house near all the action and filled it with 6 adults and 5 kids. We enjoyed listening to many talented musicians and teaching Eleanor how to dance. Favorites included Nickel Creek, Tau and the Get Down Stay Down and Jeff Tweedy. And boy does Newport have great fish and chips!
We also spent several days in Fire Island. It was mayhem and madness with my mom, sisters, sister-in-law, brother-in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, and nephews. Eleanor loved playing in the sand and putting her toes in the water. She especially loved being entertained by her big cousins, JP, Harry, John and Hunter. They taught her all about catching frogs, flying kites and building sand castles. We ended each day watching the beautiful sunset, sipping a cocktail, and cooking a huge barbecue.
In other news, I am now performing intrauterine insemination (IUI) in the office for single mothers by choice and same-sex couples.
My week in Ocean Grove, New Jersey (7/12 – 7/19) was great – truly relaxing and fun. All the family was there: my older daughter Amy, her husband Jim, and their children Kendall and Kieran; my younger daughter Jen, her fiance Tim, and Jen’s daughter Clementine; and my sister Daphne. We rented the same comfortable house we’ve had for 3 years now, a block from the beach and a short walk to Asbury Park. Our weather featured a few thunderstorms, but nothing to spoil our days of boogie boarding at the beach (not me – the water temperature was in the 60’s, but that didn’t stop the kids, Jen, and Tim), miniature golf, and just hanging out. We gorged on Korean tacos from MoGo on the Asbury Park boardwalk, ice cream at Days, and the Bradley Beach lobster fest (on Sunday).
I hope you are all having as wonderful as summer!
Barbara
Photo: Kendall, Barbara, Daphne, Kieran, Jen, and Clementine on the beach at Ocean Grove
Just back from Tulsa, where the whole family celebrated my father’s 90th birthday with a big bash on July 5th. It was a wonderful party at a mansion built in 1915 -1918 by a local oil baron, and lovingly restored to grandeur by Peter and Dick, who also live there. In attendance was my granddaughter, Kendall, who will be a freshman at UVa this fall (you go, girl!)
We also had a reunion with a family we have remained close friends with since our days in Austin, Texas, in the 70’s, when I was in nursing school at the U. of Texas. Now there are 3 generations of the Parkhills and the Sellars clans. We had a wonderful time on the Fourth of July at my daughter Amy’s beautiful home overlooking Tulsa, from which we could see the fireworks shows of not only Tulsa, but countless small towns nearby. Since it’s legal there, we shot off our own pyrotechnics, too – the kids had a blast.
Next week: family week at the Jersey Shore. Report and photos soon. Hope you are all having a great summer!
My Dad’s 90th birthday celebration
My oldest granddaughter, Kendall, who’s off to UVa for college next month!
Barbara with the Parkhill clan
The last client with a due date before July 27th has had her baby, and I am almost finished taking call on Fridays for Midwifery of Manhattan. Jocelyn Hart will return from her maternity leave on July 1st, the day I fly to Oklahoma.
There will be a big reunion of my family and another that we’ve been good friends with since our Austin, Texas, days in the ’70s. Now there are 3 generations who will gather at my older daughter Amy’s place on the outskirts of Tulsa for the Fourth of July. The next day we’ll celebrate my father’s 90th birthday with a big bash.
Stay tuned for pictures and a full report.
My week at the Jersey Shore with daughters, daughters’ beloveds, grandkids and my sister Daphne will be July 12-19th. I should be relaxed and revived when I’m back on July 20th.
Have a wonderful summer!