I miss my sister.  When I was little, I used to call her “Nee-Nee.”  I’m not sure why, because Sharon doesn’t seem all that hard to pronounce, but I have always idolized her.

Twelve years my senior, she was the built-in babysitter, but she moved away from home and began her own life when I was just 8 − far too soon if I’d had my way.  Before she left, she taught me the hand jive, the twist, and a healthy appreciation for the popular music of the era, which I continue to love to this day.  She took me to movies, got me an autograph from Mike Love of the Beach Boys, and always makes me feel special.

Now, she is busy with her life; Norwegian classes, caring for her first grandchild, and duties as secretary of the genealogy society, and I hardly see her.  When I do, there is a rush of words, as I try to catch up on months of conversation, family dynamics, and before I know it hours have gone by as the words continue flowing in abundance.  She is my confidant, my rock, and darn-near perfect if you ask me.

My life in Kingston as a retired worker is so different from hers.  On a busy day, I drive into Kingston, and usually my first stop is taking care of banking at the B of A where I love to chat with my friend, and Valerie Bertinelli look-alike, Liana (but all the gals there are as nice as she is). Then I fill up at the Arco – with cash to save a few cents a gallon.  Sometimes I stop at McDonalds and buy what I’m sure the employees think is for a food binger (but is really half for me and half for my dogs.)

Then it’s on to Sacks Feed & Garden, where I pet the store dog, Rusty, who especially loves the butt rubs (and I sneak him a biscuit but don’t tell the owner because Rusty’s on a diet). I pick up a couple of beef sticks or pigs ears for my dogs.  I used to buy straw there, and hilariously, tried to get a bale un-stuck from my sedan’s trunk one time, but now I’ve got a truck (and I got rid of those gol-durn birds!).

I may stop by Thriftway and pick up a few items, and then on to the post office to check my P.O. Box and if Chuck’s behind the counter, I say “hi” and ask him about his daughter, who house-sits for my next door neighbor.

My definition of running errands is skitterpootin’. My life now is nothing like the hustle and bustle I left behind when I moved here from Seattle.  It is almost the complete opposite of my busy sister’s lifestyle in Bellevue. Sometimes I watch “Will and Grace” because actress Debra Messing looks so much like Sharon, but no matter how “busy” I am, I always miss my beloved big Sis, Nee-Nee.