The Final Curtain

As Old Blue Eyes would say the final curtain has fallen. We went out with a bang hosting a rehearsal buffet for seventy or so guest. My contributions to the evening were things I had been waiting to do for some time. Crepes filled with a mushroom and ham duxelle, roasted chicken and an Asiago béchamel sauce. Fresh picked figs stuffed with bleu cheese baked just until the cheese melted then drizzled with honey, our version of Italian potatoes, crostini with shaved pork tenderloin, a variety of homemade chutneys and topped with bleu cheese, fresh fruit skewers with watermelon hearts and my own layered Mexican dip. Not much was left which is always a sign that the food was good. Yes, I am going to miss preparing cuisine such as this for others. Seems I found my niche a little too late but I had so much fun doing it I can not complain.
The GHOSC group was due back this weekend. We were hoping to get a chance to view the video and listen to the audio. They were also going set up again in both houses; in Lookaway to try to explain the spike in the meter from their previous visit and in Rosemary hoping to find remnants of previous owners. Unfortunately business and family issues took precedent so the places were closed for a few days and the visit had to be postponed. I did hear from them this weekend however and they are sending a copy of the report. This should be interesting.
As I found myself with time this weekend I finally got around to visiting friends I had not seen in some time. Sunday I spent a few hours at Public Safety catching up on personal news. Any other thing I may hear when I visit is strictly off limits unless I get the go ahead to write but this time there was nothing cool to write about, no secrets overheard just old friends catching up. I was saddened to learn of the death of Tim Pearson’s wife. I did not know her but Tim has always been decent to me and I feel for him. Life has a way of slapping you in the face especially when things are going well.
My friend Laura moved to Colorado, Grand Junction to be exact, a few years back. Her husband was transferred and for some reason she wanted to go with him; that was meant to be humorous. After the move she searched long and hard for a job finally getting a position with the Griffith Centers for Children. The Mission of Griffith Centers for Children is to provide troubled children the environment and opportunities to become healthy, participating and productive members of society. With sites across Colorado, including Colorado Springs, Larkspur and Grand Junction, Griffith now specializes in providing a full continuum of therapeutic treatment and academic services for boys and girls, and families. “We are licensed and nationally accredited to serve children from birth to 21 years of age. We provide community programs such as family preservation, day treatment, education and counseling services.” Griffith Centers also provides residentially based programs such as foster care and shared family care, respite services, adoption, group homes, residential treatment (staff secure and open) and independent living services. Today we are able to provide healing and hope to thousands. Laura, along with the other employees, do wonderful work. She is working with a group of girls whose individual stories would make your hair curl and most of us would not be able to suppress the anger that arises when told of the abuses they have suffered. But trips to the dog pound, the mountains, picnics at dawn and genuine caring are bringing them around. One can only hope that as they become adults they can learn to live with what has been done to them and not continue the circle.