All the Feels and a request to Freeze Time!

Memories, Maroon Five  came on as I was driving home from dropping Peter at the airport to fly back to SEMO. (5:30 am departure from NGR). Thank you Peter for coming for the weekend.  We will miss you at Thanksgiving, but understand duty calls at work and we'll embrace Christmas! I'm so glad it worked to have you at Sally's field hockey game at DePauw and you and Dad had time at the BlueJackets game. I also loved cooking Friday night, working at the kitchen table and watching Game 1 2026 World Series together.

"Here's to the ones that we got,  Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not" (Maroon Five) Yes, a song about Grief, death, loss....it captures simple missing and longing, and to me a message and reminder to be in the moment and present with those you have,  and be grateful for memories and make sure you make memories.

This is where I am in October...savoring, wishing (kind of) that time could freeze as it is all so so good right now!  We had another amazing Ohio fall weekend, blending DePauw Tiger Field Hockey, dear friends, family, college town living that brings all the feels- joy, contentness, gratitude, and yes a bittersweetness knowning that it will end.  It certainly it feels the missing of those not sharing the beauty is stronger, ore more present, a constant companion. Is it my age?
Origin of the Phrase
The idiom "the cherry on the cake" is literal in its origin, coming directly from the culinary practice of using a single maraschino cherry to crown a finished dessert. [1, 2]

• The Visual Contrast: In 19th and early 20th-century baking, adding a bright red, glossy cherry to the center of a pale, frosted cake or a mountain of whipped cream on an ice cream sundae served as the definitive final flourish. It required no effort but instantly made the dessert look complete and perfect. [1, 2]

• The Metaphorical Leap: Because the cake or sundae was already delicious on its own, the cherry was entirely unnecessary but highly welcome—representing a superfluous luxury. By the mid-20th century, people began using the phrase metaphorically to describe any bonus benefit added to an already great situation. [1, 2, 3]

It was also the dedication of our new building, renovation- Doane is now Dale and Tina Knobel Hall and the Emily Hauser King and Robert E King Center for Data and Innovation. It was a pleasure to be with classmate and trustee Lauren Haarlow for the ceremony and then walk visiting Prof of Practice, Jim Reynolds and Lauren through the buildling...quick pic (see below) at the Brickman overview...and a quick beer on our porch to touch base!! The evening ended with so many hellos and catch-ups, reflections with our board...Denison is where it is because of a past and current board who hire Presidents like Adam and Dale and lead.  Yes, the Inn....I'm grateful for service and care, relationships that are fostered in this 2nd office, home away from home!

Denison living, hearing Caroline Spence in concert yesterday, cherry on top....wasn't sure this was the correct phrase, but quick research assures me it is:

https://www.carolinespencemusic.com/bio   Caroline is a Professor of Practice at Denison this semester and we're so fortunate to have her. Last night she was in concert at Eisner and it was a treat! The American Roots Music students are benefitting from her instruction and ensemble work. I loved hearing her intros, reflections of the songs  and work together. It was a priviledge  to sit with dear friends in that beautiful theater and be with the feelings the music evoked and the feelings of the weekend in our life on Newark-Granville Road. 

And another cherry...the cheers at the Inn after the show. Hugs and catch-ups with families, smiles and stories. Thanks to all who shared the weekend, made it so, cheers to those not with us- you were with us in spirit and text!

Pictures enhance the words....let me know if you have questions, want to know more, can't list all the good folks we saw...but the good news plans in place to reconnect and look forward to more memories, so we won't freeze time, but we'll pause in the moment to reflect and savor here on Newark-Granville Road.

Grateful for Adventures, Friends, Reflection and Tiger Time!

Reflections.....

Lucky me- free time....we've been busy, but Denison's fall break, and lack of planning found me with a few nights open. Yes, I should have cleaned closets, removed some piles- I did a bit of that early in the week. But I didn't want to stay home every night so....

I sent out a message, movie night? Two friends joined me! Try the new crabcake at the Inn? Joe joined me for Happy Hour on Friday and on Thursday a different Happy Hour invite came- margs and nachos! YAY.

As I listen and read the book- Your Turn, How to Create a Midlife You Love by Allison Aubrey- see earlier post about the book that spoke to me....I love the importance and role of friends...and your partner. My actions and time affirmed that last week.

I also am grateful I'm comfortable going to the movies alone, being home on a Friday night alone. FOMO certainly happens, but I'm grateful my father encouraged me to be comfortable by myself and as I reflect on things I really like in my life, flexibility and me time are big!

Last week I went to NYC for work..I love an adventure- it is a thrill for me...pg. 143 Your Turn, Aubrey- Thrillionaire...I also like me time to read, and explore, walk the city, or take a hike....And finding a delicious meal- I'm glad I know how to eat alone! Thanks Dad!

It is important to know when to join the group, when to say no and stay home, when to be the planner and when to let others do the planning....not easy for people like me who like fun. and people. I'm discussing this with another giver, host...and when I step back and look, I have many friends like this....we support one another's gatherings, giving to the community and connections. But we all like our time too, it is what makes the friendships work. Life on Newark-Granville Road, reflecting, sharing, inviting and being....

And oh what another great weekend, being a Mom...previous post...we were so happy for the occasion to visit Wooster for a field hockey game, and then Kenyon.  Beautiful campus', towns, opportunities to be with famiiles and suppor the team and our Sally. JAFB- such a favorite...lake time (thanks Scott and Ann) and just being together- with Lucy this time too. There is so much to be grateful for this time of year, this place in our lives...and looking forward two more weekends of Tiger time!!

When a Book Talks to you....

Yes, I listened to it, and how fun to listen to a book narrated by a classmate....DU friend..... So the book literally talked to me, but the subject matter is robust, thoughtful and timely for me and many of my peers!

Allison Aubrey | Author & Journalist | Midlife Reinvention Book: Your Turn!

I didn't think I needed to read this book. However, Allison is a classmate and is coming to campus!! And then I simply fell in love with book. I listened to it. While doing so I stopped to go buy the book. I have created a log/journal to capture notes and thoughts. I'm excited to go back and create some plans, take some assessments, talk about it with Joe and friends..read it and join me, share your insights.  Spoiler- the first thing that pulled me in....dreams, what they can do...fascinating things in her book, Allison's research! There is so much on diet, health, and great and inspiring people.  I think Allison may have as great as job as I do- because of the people she has met/people we meet!

So I'll keep you posted and share some things,but wanted to put this out there as the book isn't on the Discussing Books at CVH list...but is something that has talked to me in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

Denisonians....November 5-6- REMIX, leads up to BRW...which includes great sports, like football night game, senior day.....learn more here: 

ReMix - Denison University Alumni    

Big Red Weekend - Denison University Alumni

Senior Sunday for Sally

Another special weekend in our lives on Newark-Granville Road. This one in Greencastle, IN! We're soaking in our last senior year season and loving every minute! Senior Day for Sally and her teammates, and their families was quite special! We made it a full day thing, woke up early and went over to arrive with wiggle room for the game and family announcements. Clare joined us with bonus daughter Charlottte.  It was a good game, we love the other seniors and enjoyed the energy of the fans.

We interupt this post with - HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARE- our wonderful weekend had Clare enjoying awesome surprise visits from Hannah and Charlotte arranged by Caroline for birthday trip to Louiville!! Loved the texts and video updates from Caroline!!

So it was great to have Charlotte enjoy the day as well. A great win, special touches with Sally happy to see returning alums and sorority sisters there to cheer and celebrate this sweet honor for the four year players! A celebratory team meal (thank you parents that made it so), junior speeches, tour of the Theta house for Theta sister Charlotte. Joe and I then enjoyed one on one time with Sally at The Whisk.  Great food, bevies...conversation...and even live music- a very special day.

We're so proud of Sally...proud of all our kids and enjoy the time with each of them. Seeing your kids honored by their friends and teammates is very touching, and reassuring. Pictures....make me smile...I had fun looking back at older pics, tee ball (I coached- run the bases), lax, more lax pics than field hockey...field hockey- check out socia media for those. Grateful for all the coaches, mentors, teammates, parents, friends, family that made it happen. Eight years of collegiate athletics, sports since Clare started in the early 2000s....what a fun, what a treat, what an education and place to watch these kids develop and grow. Grateful.

Looking forward to games at Wooster, Kenyon, OWU and DU v DPU on Halloween and....post season, conf play...let's go senior, 2026 team- your rock!

Overflowing Happenings to Launch Fall 2026!

On Monday, lovely women gathered at the table to remember and honor mothers, as a dear friend's mother passed this summer and I was humbled to support the event.

On Tuesday, we attended a special event at Pursuit in the short north to celebrate amazing  Amanda Love's  art included in his new special space...so great to see the collaboration, creative talented making a difference and having such success!Bonus- family time, thanks Scott and Ann joining!

On Wednesday, oh my- THE BUXTON- the reawakening event....what a treat- what an approach- fundraiser for the Granville Historical Society and a treat to see the incredible rennovations, hear from the Mayor, Governor, DU President and the entrepreneur himself....then engage with great guests and the talent behind the scenes making it shine.  Congratulations to all and thank you!! Follow the Buxton on social media, go visit!! This is a gift to the community, Denisonians and all who visit. My first visit was fall 1985 and is part of my finding Denison/Granville story.  We hosted Sally's baptism brunch there, and so many other visits that would fill the page.  The Buxton is a backdrop to our lives on Newark-Granville Road and the hill!

On Thursday, weeks, months of work came to fruition as we welcomed Family Leadership Council folks to town at the Inn.  A tried and true tradition that is starting to feel like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Catching up, introducing, and good talks as we take in the anticipation and gratitude for family weekend in Gvegas!  Oh and I had my second session at Metric Strength, love the way I feel and concentrated effort for health! And Denison celebrated the Men's Baseball CWS Win and D3 Championship- Coach Deegan's remarks inspire...."who are you after the journey"....joy, dedication, power of and....discipline...there is a reason we're grateful he and his staff educate and mentor our scholar athletes and it inspires all of us!

On Friday- family weekend at Denison...with our Family Leadership Council meeting. I am so grateful to all that collaborated, partnered, presented, attended and engaged...it was a great day and weekend...

Granville, Licking County and the hill were overflowing in happenings and goodness. Mother Nature certainly smiled on us as it was truly an overflowing of happiness with comeback wins, talent galore and happy students and parents.  Yarn bombers, store openings, specials, and even Joe contributed by doing play by play for field hockey and then I heard all about it as we snacked on pizza and sipped a scotch- feet up last night.  I'm looking at pictures to share here, to tickle me to tell the "rest of the story" the behind the scenes, but it would take too much space and time...

Today is Sunday, my new colleague and I went to the Inn to check in and hear about the weekend. Field Hockey played again producing another W and more introductions, reunions and just wonderful outdoor time! I took the scooter into town for some lunch and did a bit of work...now porch time, family facetime, cocktail and dinner at home...life in grand on Newark-Granville Road!

We missed some really lovely things this weekend, and I'm sorry. Denison Family Weekends are like my super bowl and important to the work I'm committed to...the which way do I go feeling is something I live with in this role and full life on Newark-Granville Road. The best things are always on the same days, and we proved, sometimes the same hour! LOL! Soak it in, be in the moment and thanks for reading and sharing!

Pictures that won't do the week justice, but connect to the story on life on Newark-Granville Road...

Just a Mom this Weekend.

What is sitting in the rain, no phone, cheering on your daughter and her team, sitting next to your husband. Knowing you'll connect with the older kids later today and the group text is inspired by conversations and care, memories and check-ins.  This is love, happiness, contentment. This was me today.

I have been looking forward to this trip, this weekend for quite some time and it did not disappoint.  We love visiting college towns, connecting with fellow parents, seeing our baby. I have such fond memories of Clare's senior season and we've now launched Sally's.  I have fond memories of every college visit and parents weekend, and our own trips. I value the intersections and overlaps with NCAC, riverly, and liberal arts approaches, friends from all over and their growth.  But the college towns, our meals, drinks, walks and discoveries. Shops with things that become favorites and still to dos, to bring us back.  

I love that Granville is this for so many and we support and recognize the gift our fair college on the hill is as well. I love taking a break and just being a parent, over coffee today waiting for breakfast I was just a Mom.

Life on Newark-Granville Road, this September 20th has me preparing for a full week, a week with a pause to remember and honor a mother, our mothers, my being a mother...it was such a good weekend to be a Mom.

We Gathered at the Table, and selected our 26-27 Book List!

 Discussing Books at Cherry Valley Hotel- the name of our book club.  Some people didn't know we call ourselves this...lol! We gathered, maybe 14 of us...we snacked on yummies- cookies, cake, dips, fruit, sipped some wine and scotch and water. We introduced ourselves based on how long we've been attending....some back to 2000-ish, a number of us 2002 or 2003...and we welcomed a new attendee and a guest for the semester- an orphaned book club member here temporarily, grateful for a new group. I truly love this group of women, individually and collectively and am grateful for the evening. Thank you DBACVH....life on Newark-Granville Road is sweeter and rewarding thanks to our time together, tonight and each month past, present, future!

Here is the list and our recommends- let me know if you want to be on the email list for reminders about our meetings on the 1st Monday of the month...at Cherry Valley Hotel!