We’ve been away for awhile. We spent three weeks in Florida visiting family. I stocked up on my grandbaby hugs hoping to store them up until the next time we can go and visit. While you were having lovely weather here in Hereford, we were having a few nice walks on the beach and enjoying a lazy afternoon or two by the pool. Sadly holidays don’t last nearly long enough and it was soon time to come back home.

It was lovely to see how much the trees had come on in our absence. I do love spring. However, with spring comes the onset of hay fever season. My first summer here I had it for about 2 weeks. It was so minor I thought that it was just a summer cold. The next year it started the beginning of June and lasted most of the month, the next year it was from the middle of May to the middle of July. . .okay NOW this is getting ridiculous. Last fall I started taking a teaspoon of local honey every day. I read somewhere that this would help build my immunities to the pollen. I am keeping my fingers crossed because we’ve got my step daughter’s wedding the end of June and I’d rather not be sneezing my fool head off!!

This will be my fourth summer here in England. The trips back home are always a time when I reflect on how different life is in the states compared to here. It’s easy to be spoilt for choice in America; I do miss the shops and the cheap prices for eating out. I still can’t understand why a meal that costs me $50 in the states costs me £50 here in the UK. How can food be that much more expensive? I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the exchange rate of $2.00 to £1.00 on our most recent visit.

I find myself being embarrassed when I go home to be an American. Don’t get me wrong, I am as patriot as the next American but I believe that we as a people on the whole are too ‘over the top’. We tend to be louder, ruder and more demanding. After living here since 2003 I suppose I’ve seen what we must look like to other people from other countries and that’s not a flattering view. Thank you George Bush for adding to the unflattering view!!

On another note, when I was home this time I had been invited to be the guest of a Red Hat chapter in Rotonda West, Florida. Sadly it was all very disappointing and has taught me a valuable lesson. I was supposed to be in the Red Hat Day parade. I showed up on time and finally found the group I was supposed to be with but from there on out was ignored. I introduced myself to a couple of the women but they were not at all open or friendly. I eventually gave up and left the festivities as soon as the parade was over. Perhaps it was a bad time to try and make friends. . .I was also supposed to attend one of their regular gatherings. The queen had told me she would contact me with place and time but the date for the event came and went with no contact. I was disappointed but it’s shown me that our little group has got to make a concentrated effort to welcome newcomers. It’s no fun to feel you are on the outside looking in.

The next gathering is May 22nd at 7:30 at the Farmer’s Club in Widemarsh Street. We are having a quiz night and potential members are welcome! The cost £1.50 and you are invited to bring a dish to share, finger foods only please. Come and see what the Red Hat Society is all about!!