Norm and Barb Aune: Kenny and Maxine

Kenny and Maxine, Ben and Penny's lake home neighbor, drove in on Thursday and they spent 3 wonderful days with us. If you wonder how a son and daughter-in-law's neighbor would ever travel 3000 miles to see their neighbor's parents, perhaps my blog entry from Jan. 2, 2008 would help. On that morning, Barb and I left Lake Oconee in our RV. We had arrived at B and P's lake home for Thanksgiving 07 and we stayed there until after New Years. Kari and Nathan's family joined us for a late Christmas and New Years, and all left to fly back to Puyallup or go back to work in Atlanta on the morning of that Jan 1. Barb and I were alone with our memories of the past weeks. It was a special time, in a special neighborhood. And I blogged:

Also, we regretted leaving our new friends Kenny and Maxine. They live two houses down the lake from B&P. B&P introduced us to K&M on our first day at the lake. K&M virtually adopted us. Just a few years younger than us, we went out to dinner with them three times and attended gatherings at their home another 3 times. They introduced us to neighbors and family and made sure we attended the neighborhood Christmas party. They also advised us as to where to make our holiday purchases. Kenny filled us in with the local lore. He grew up in LA, God’s country he calls it. LA to him is lower Alabama. A graduate of Auburn, he manages private forests in the area and keeps his eye on local politics. An affable and knowledgeable person, Kenny added to our experience on Oconee each week. Maxine is a middle school teacher and the consummate family matriarch. At each gathering at their home, we met family and neighbors. We relished in her ease at inviting us and others into her home. Meals were always centered around bubbly conversation and family stories. We will miss them but now look forward to them coming to our area. Almost family, they are, Kenny and Maxine. Come and drink our coffee and see our woods. A bedroom is always open to these special people.

And they did come to stay, drink our coffee and see our trees. We had 3 evening dinners with friends and family in our back yard. We spent one glorious day on the mountain and one day via ferry to Seattle. We were so happy to have our extended neighbors so close for a few days.