A friend from Arizona was in town yesterday. Several of us got together for lunch at the Amphora diner in Vienna. We like going to the Amphora for several reasons - it is pretty centrally located for the group - they don't get grouchy when we sit and talk all afternoon - the food is usually pretty good.

She lived in this area, Maryland and Virginia, during the years her kids were growing up. Then she and her husband moved to Delaware - a beach community. After than, they followed Horace Greeley's advice and went west. She has been in Arizona a number of years now. They had a beautiful southwestern style home in a development that did not allow 'grass' ... native plantings only. And it was a fantastically beautiful area. After her husband died, she moved to a retirement center - along the lines of The Virginia. She is well into her 80's and still drives across the country once a year to visit old friends.

I'm not sure if I would ever do that. I'm not happy on the Interstates - too many people trying to get too many places too fast for me. But I'm truly happy she does it. It is always good to see her. Phone calls and email and notes aren't always enough. Sometimes just seeing and talking the person is what you need.