Christmas 2014

Another Christmas, another whacky picture from Carol. Love it. She was in Tucson visiting one of her sons.

She writes: 'll be rowing in Greece in October, but will try to be back for the reunion... Am I supposed to feel old?

Last year I posted a photo of her as "a picture of reservation". I think that at this point she is fair to say that she has left the reservation. I hope she makes it to the reunion; we need her spark!

Christmas 2013
Carol sent a card and photo... "... I am now a grandmama. Son Duff and his Lucia have an 8 month old daughter. I plan on stopping employment 12/31/13 and go on medicare. Son Kip took this photo of me [below] last March when we visited son Angus in Equidor (he lives in Quito). The Amazon was fantastic!"

THIS IS CAROL, 1964; a "picture of reservation">>>

December 2007: Even a promise is welcome news!..

Hi Bob,

Happy New Year! I haven't gotten to my Christams cards, but hope to do so soon. I will try to write news for the class soon as well. thanks for everything.

love,
Carol

January 3, 2007:
Carol sent this picture which she took last September on Lake Lucerne. Obviously she is still travelling and still rowing. It is a thrill to discover that you have taken a perfect picture, but far more satisfying is the knowledge that you were actually there!.

Along with her email she wished that we could have a reunion every year... I'd like that too, but there are certin impracticalities. Let's all think of another reunion within the next four years?

When I sent out the draft of the Meeting House news, Carol sent this email with some information about the picture, as well as a bit of chat:

Your email reminded me that I never responded to your plea for no news. I apologize!!! You have done such a warm and wonderful job and I am ashamed not to have responded with my no news. I only write now to say hi. You can use this next year.

Yes, the row in September in Switzerland was a highlight. I was coxing a boat near to that boat in the picture when I saw a potential photo about to happen. I was able to tell everyone to stop rowing and I grabbed my camera and pressed the button. It was a breathtaking scene and I felt very lucky to have been there.

The year, like most, had its share of good luck and bad. The worst was walking into the office of a Morgan Stanley financial advisor. Don't you ever do that! But my blessings are many. The three boys are doing well and are finding their way. All were home for Christmas which meant alot to all of us.

I have expanded my antique business (Raucous Oyster Antiques) and am now renting space in shops in Concord (MA) and in Buzzards Bay (just off Cape). I'm hoping I can do well enough not to have to find additional income, but that remains to be seen.

I'm currently reading Barack Obama's book. I recommend it to everyone. Not only is it very well written, but it is an important story of what it is like to grow up in America as a black person.

I guess you're getting a bit of snow this winter!! Or does Montour Falls not get the lake effect we see on the news? Cape Cod is pretty dull in the winter. No, we don't get too much lake effect snow, just opressive gray clouds. The Cape would seem like the State Fair compared to here... Bob.

I have another photo for you. Go to www.fisarowingtourusa.org. The opening picture is of a boat rowing by the Brooklyn Bridge. The groovy looking chick in the stroke seat (wearing the bandana) is ME. I was rowing around Manhattan last May with a group that is planning this year's international FISA row.

Now I need to stop and go work on my taxes. I hope you are fine.

love,
Carol

My oldest son, Duff, is currently in the wilds of southern Mexico volunteering in a small village. He is headed for law school next fall, focusing on international law and human rights. My middle son, Kip, is currently creating a graphic novel for a movie director in L.A., and Angus, the youngest, is a sophomore at Columbia. I go down to see him from time to time. It's great fun visiting him in my old playground.

I'm still working in the garden nursery and rowing and sailing my 14' melonseed skiff, all of which I enjoy a great deal. Last September I was on an international rowing tour in England. 90 rowers from 14 countries, we rowed from Oxford to London. I'm planning on going on a row tour in Norway this August and maybe on another in the Czech Republic in September.

Mostly I enjoy rowing my racing single at 6:00 A.M. in the beautiful waters in and around Cotuit. The peace and beauty restoreth my soul as nothing else. I hope this finds you well and happy with your days. love, Carol

Subj:word from carol
Date: 1/29/2003 9:17:57 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Mamalyall
To: RTilden

Dear Bob,

I'm FINALLY sitting down to send off a long overdue response to your entreaties for news. The problem has been that no news has been good news..... but I'm okay, and thinking of you and the silly times.

In a tough nutshell, Alec became not happy with his career and his life and, ultimately, me. He moved out the Spring of '99 and couldn't find his way back. A very hard few years. This was the main reason I dropped the FA comittment; I just hadn't the heart to continue.

It has been a hard road back, But I've had tons of wonderful support, and learned alot about myself and how wonderful people are.

The three boys (Duff 24, Kip 22, and Angus 19) have been, and are, a dream come true. I'm very lucky. Lonely sometimes, but usually bouncing along.

The nice news: Duff graduated from Middlebury in '00 and is currently living in Shanghai, teaching conversational english to second graders. Kip graduates in May from Connecticut College where he is majoring in Astro-physics and studio art. Angus is a freshman at Columbia which has enabled me to visit Manhattan and be reminded of what a thrilling place it is.

I'm still living in a small village on the south coast of Cape Cod, working in a greenhouse nearby.

I started keeping bees about two years ago. Very interesting ! I extracted enough honey last Fall to send to relatives at Christmas. But what has really captivated my time has been the sport of rowing.

Five years ago I took up sculling which is basically rowing backwards in a long, skinny boat. I have a light weight racing single ( 26 feet long, 29 pounds) which is currently hanging from the living room ceiling,as there is no other place to store it.

I've done some racing, and last October achieved my goal of racing in the Head of the Charles in Boston. Happily I was neither last, nor did I fall out! Each year there is a rowing tour in "touring boats" (not so skinny) somewhere in the world, sponsored by the international rowing organization. Ususally there are about 60 to 80 rowers from all over the world.

I've been to Portugal, Russia, Austalia, France, Denmark, and Canada, rowing and carousing with highly energized and delightful people. This September I'll be in England, rowing on the river Thames. It's been a wonderful way to see the world and to meet people from all over. It all sounds somewhat glamorous which it isn't. Just good fun. And it has helped no end to help me find my way.

I miss you. Thank you for the terrific job you're doing for the class. I confess that my computer capabilities are minimal. I look forward to delving into the class website. The cover photo of all of us in the senior lounge is great, altho hard seeing Pam and Tom and Jeff. I'm afraid it all does seem rather a long time ago. A special time.

I think that's ENOUGH for now !! Pass on whatever you wish, but don't make it alot of work for you. Best love and hugs, Carol