Old-fashioned Sunday Visitin'

So today, I did one of my all-time favorite things, which I like to call "Goin' Visitin'. Not that I trademarked the phrase; I think it's the old-fashioned terminology for sort of an old-fashioned thing to do.

So if you have never Gone Visitin', this is how it works.

It doesn't hafta be done on a Sunday, but that is the tradional day. Plan to see Sunday drivers- there were plenty of them on the road today, hanging out in the fast lane, with a personal agenda to remind us this is supposed to be the day of rest. So don't try to be in too much of a hurry. (Usually it makes me crazy when people go UNDER the speed limit in the fast lane, but today I kept cool.)

Start off after church -if church is something you do- or after your morning coffee. You've already gotten dressed, and probably combed your hair, and if you're Lutheran or Methodist you already had your coffee in the Fellowship Hall. Plus you warmed up your vocal chords for conversation, by singing hymns out of tune.

Back in the day, this is how your Sunday started, and you weren't allowed to work, so you were up for some socializing.

Chose someone  to visit that may actually want to see you on little notice, somewhere you feel comfortable. Since Amanda was going with, and this was her last weekend home before heading back to school, she wanted to go to the Lhotkas.

Make sure the visitee family will be home. I used Facebook to confirm with Trees. (the person- not the tall leafy things that grow in forests.)

Pay attention, this is very important: you must bring food. In the olden days you would've prepared everything the day before, so you just have the throw the roast in the oven before you go to church. I hadn't thought that far ahead, but luckily I belong to a CSA, so I had lots of fresh fruits and veggies. It is key that no one has to work too hard on the meal, so keep it simple. Your time should be for talking, and eating, and walking, and possibly watching the game on TV, not on prepping fancy food. Keep it simple. I cut up a bunch of fruit for a fruit salad, and grabbed a slicing tomato. (Meanwhile Teresa threw a chicken in the oven to roast (with cherry habenero sauce- yum!)

When you arrive, just walk right in the front door. It'd be considered rude to make someone get up out of their Barcalounger to greet you. You're not there to be a guest to be waited on.

Eat, and talk. Traditionally this is either a brunch (breakfast/ lunch) or linner (lunch/ dinner), as combining meals means less work for everyone.

Talk some more. All topics are OK, as it is Sunday, and you have not been pounding beers all day. (It least we hope you have not been doing this, especially if you hafta work on Monday.)

This is a now a good opportunity to walk the dog. Along the way, you will stop to greet every neighbor you see outside, because this is how visitin' works.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief tutorial on Visitin'. Should you need an in-person lesson, feel free to give me a call on little notice (just to make sure I'm going to be there) and come make yourself at home. Don't expect to be waited on, and do expect to set down a spell and talk.