Thursday 18 August 2005
1 p.m.

This bed-and-breakfast place was found during an internet search for accommodations, and I reserved a room for the three of us. When we arrived, no one was there but we found a sign taped on the door, inviting us to enter and make ourselves at home.

It seemed to me that S wasn't well pleased, that he thought the price was too high, that our room on the basement floor was too cool, that it had no TV, and so on and so forth. I suggested we go out for supper and come back later; food always improves his outlook. Anyone's, for that matter. When we returned, there was still no one there and we made ourselves at home in the common room with a movie.

Before long we heard footsteps from the ceiling above our heads and soon a soft-spoken and lovely lady came down the stairs with friendly greetings, extra blankets in case we'd need them (the furnace was just being turned up), and an invitation to come upstairs and see the dining room. That's one corner of it in the photo above. It's filled with antiques and has windows on three sides. Gorgeous room.

The simple appearance of a warm and gracious human being made all the difference. We enjoyed the rest of our evening, and early the next morning S was up there drinking coffee and chatting with our hosts for an hour before Everett and I joined them for breakfast.

Then we went to get Emil from Camp Easter Seal. He hated to leave, but, as he kept repeating, "I can always come back next year." Thank goodness.