Garry and Marilyn finally — after three or four reschedulings — finally made it to Connecticut to visit Tom and Ellin Curley. Yes, these are real live friends who we have known a very long time. So long that Tom can remember the first house I lived in when Owen was still a rug-rat.
Tom has all his hair. In our world, that’s noteworthy!
Tom and Ellin live in a lovely home in the woods with a stream in the back yard. And a boat called Serenity docked on the Housatonic River in Stratford, Connecticut. Pretty nice boat. Pretty big river. The boat’s transmission is currently MIA, having blown itself up some time back — not while we were aboard, but it’s a great story, in case Tom (hint, hint) feels like writing about it.
We spent last Thursday hanging out on the boat. It turns out, boats are a great place to hang out, even when they are tied up at the dock. Since Tom has a dinghy with an outboard in good working order, we could still motor up the river, even if the bigger boat is not currently able to do more than float.
Tom took me on a ride, while Garry and Ellin chose to hang with Serenity.
The Serenity is named (by Tom) after the brilliant Joss Whedon sci fi/western series “Firefly” that ran on Fox. “Firefly” lives on Netflix. There’s also a movie, aptly titled “Serenity.” Ellen liked the concept of Serenity which seemed (still seems) a perfect name for a boat. If you can’t find serenity on a boat, you’re hopeless. Many years ago, I had a (very small) sailboat and enjoyed some of my most serene afternoons sailing her in the salt marshes off the coast of Long Island. But I digress.
I had brought with me the newest in Serendipity swag-wear — the latest version of our tee-shirt. It’s hard to find gifts for people who don’t need anything. Garry and I don’t need anything either, at least not anything anyone can afford to get for us … so after I designed the tee-shirt, it occurred to me I actually could give them each a tee-shirt since both of them blog.
Tom and Ellin were exceeding gracious by dressing in matching tee-shirts, something Tom had sworn he would never do — not ever under any circumstances because (in his opinion) it’s the final sign of senility. But I said I wanted pictures. I had a camera and a photo-hungry blog.
It was a great little mini vacation. Thank you, friends, again for a really love time. And the weather was perfect too. Not too hot, not too cool. Absolutely perfect.
Garry and I together shot more than 300 pictures, so you’ll see more pictures as I come up with excuses to post them. In the photo galleries, the first set are mine, the second are Garry’s. There are many more! Some days are just incredibly photogenic.
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Categories: #Blogging, #gallery, #Photography, Anecdote, Boats, Friendship, Garry Armstrong, Humor, Tom Curley, Water
SERENDIPITY - SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
Everyone needs play time with friends once in awhile. PS: That turquoise room is spectacular!
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Isn’t it though? It’s a great room. And the light comes in from all directions.
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Thank you Marilyn for the beautiful article about our time together last week. The sentiments expressed are as lovely as the photos. The photos look like a vacation brochure – I’d go to that place on a trip! Here’s to more good times with good friends!
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It was lovely. It’s the kind of vacation time money really can’t buy. Friends are priceless. You are priceless 🙂
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Great pictures. It was like a little Serendipity Staff Meeting. Now if you could only work out how to claim expenses for it. 🙂
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When you are retired, there’s no income against which to claim expenses … at least not for Garry and I. Tom still works some, and he’s welcome to give it a shot 🙂
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Aw…This is so lovely to spend quality time with great friends. Beautiful photos, as always. The sitting area in your friends’ home is really awesome looking. And the boat?
Glad your enjoyed your friends and the gorgeous scenery.
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‘Playing’ is always good and especially when it results in such great photos and big smiles.
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It was a good couple of days. Great weather, great friends, lovely venue. Nothing more could be asked 🙂
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Marilyn, let me just echo all you’ve said about our all too brief visit with Ellin and Tom Curley. One of their many virtues is they allow us to relax. They’re very comfortable people and Ellin is **the** food maven. Everything she serves is delicious.
I wish we could bottle the laughter we share. It’s infectious.
Our time on “Serenity” is magical. You don’t have to go anywhere.
Here’s looking at you, Ellin and Tom!!
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It’s always a pleasure to spend quality time with you and Marilyn. You used the right word – “comfortable”. I haven’t known you as long as Tom has, but we all have an ease together and connection that goes beyond years. Looking forward to the next visit , probably around the fire in the family room instead of on the boat.
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Yay, matching t-shirts!
I’m glad you finally made it and had such a lovely time 🙂
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Thank you. And that is probably the ONLY time you will ever see four matching Serendipity shirts at one time. But it was fun 🙂 Lots.
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Great photos, looking forward to seeing more. You also look great, especially the thoughtful photo with the computer. I am sure it was a real fun, enjoyable time you spent. Once on the boat you could relax and enjoy. Congratulations on the dingy trip, you see – you can do it.
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You should have seen my exit from the dinghy. I sort of flung my whole body onto the dock like a beached flounder. Then I had to figure out how to get up on my feet. But it was fun. It went better than last time when I almost poured myself into the water. Not that I mind water and I know how to swim, but that wasn’t what I had in mind 🙂
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