It was the first, but not the last, no indeedy!
Last week we packed up and drove to Bentonville, AR to visit the Crystal Bridges Museum. What a fun time!
A sweet friend, Leigh Freeze, is a volunteer museum guide there and she gave us a delightful tour! She had to prepare for months to secure her position at that world-class place situated in the hills of Arkansas. The Walton family donated priceless works of art and Leigh made them "come alive" with stories that made us look at each piece a little differently. The Norman Rockwell exhibit also brought smiles to our faces. The group LOVED Leigh! The building itself is a work of art that must be experienced.
The museum was just one event on our itinerary. We spent two days laughing, complaining, eating, shopping, sharing grandchildren stories and pictures, getting lost, getting found and simply enjoying one another. I have pictures taken at a flea market that will NEVER be posted on Facebook. (Think vintage hats and fox skin boas!)
Also, a flirty waiter at a French restaurant knew exactly how to speak to this group of "over 60's" which earned him a sizable tip! Can you see it???
Strong opinions are always voiced and NO ONE gets offended. We've all lived long enough to know better than that!
I've been in many organizations and this one tops them all. Women of various backgrounds, careers, family situations, states, religious and political persuasions usually aren't drawn into friendships.
Yet the respect we have for one another is enviable.
(This group has been meeting over 6 1/2 years, gathering once a month, 2nd Friday. Missing Book Club is rare, no one wants to miss out on the laughter and discussion. You never know what one-liner is going to be etched in the brain and enjoyed during sleepless nights of the future. Each member takes her turn at selecting a book to discuss, hosting the meeting and leading the discussion. It works!)
Recently we have discovered that we have a few unwritten "by-laws." (Marion, our most capable President, Secretary, Event Planner and Historian, tries to keep us organized. She had seat assignments for the road trip, coming and going.)
The rules? (These are pretty "loose")
1. The group shall consist of residents of the Forest Ridge Community. Makes attending easy!
2. The number of members shall be limited to 12. (One for each month of the year and that's about as many as fit comfortably in all our living rooms.)
3. A waiting list shall be established for people wanting to join, HOWEVER, space will be available only upon death!
4. A "bucket list" shall be established for future road trips. (I'm lobbying for ITALY!)
The Ridge Readers do more than read! This group is good THERAPY for mental health!
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