We cannot go to Illinois without stopping by Rivendell Alpacas and visiting with Jill and Gordon. Jill was a longtime friend of my mom and, in a way, a second mother to me. Gordon is an all-round wonderful person. So after exploring the farm at Danny and Carol’s, showing Andrew and Alex our old haunts (Kitty Farm, Elgin, Heine Street) and having lunch at Culvers, we met Marissa and her niece at Rivendell Alpacas.
Jill and Gordon gave us a full tour. They are as amusing as always. We started in the house and had a sort of impromptu memorial service for my mom while we stood around the “rug” she painted on their upstairs bathroom floor. Then we visited the alpacas, walked in the “wilderness”, petted Freya and had a delightful conversation with Gordon and Jill.
After spending the afternoon with Jill and Gordon we drove back to Carol and Danny’s where a party was just beginning. Carol brought together her family so they could all meet Alex. What a delightful and kind thing to do! Seeing Leanne was as delightful as always and we had a couple good belly laughs. Oddly no photos were taken at the party, but I did take several of the sunset.
Jones’ Farm 
Cone Flowers 
Jill talking about Alpacas’ diet 
Gordon demonstrating a scythe 
Marissa feeding an alpaca 
Marissa’s niece feeding alpacas 
Marissa’s niece showering alpacas 
Mom’s “rug” 
Mom’s rug 
Mom painted this on the staircase 
Freya 
Sunset at Jones’ farm
When I'm Sixty-four 
The staircase is wonderful! How lovely to spend time with lovely people – and to remember your mother, at the same time welcoming Alex to the family.
LikeLike