Guests...or Company?
We're getting ready for the first tick off the BIG list of retirement activities (cf prior blog entries). Wednesday we're road tripping it down to Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, where we have rented a townhouse for the month of April. During this time, we will have lots of guests. Or company. My sister refers to the family and friends coming to visit as our guests. Which got me to thinking, because I seldom if ever refer to anyone who comes to our home as a guest. I call them company.
So is there a difference? And if there is a difference, does it make a difference to anyone?
Clearly I believe it makes a difference because I'm writing a blog post about it. #helloCaptainObvious
Being the member in good standing of POEM (Professional Organization of English Majors, from Garrison Keillor and Prairie Home Companion), I turned to Webster's for the definition of these two words.
Guest: a person who is entertained, taken out to eat, etc, and paid for by another. a person who receives hospitality at the home of another
Company: an assemblage of persons for social purposes; companionship; fellowship; association.
I'm going with company.
Traveling with someone(s) else, even just the spousal unit, can be an interesting experience. Staying at someone's home for more than the casual overnight the same. Bunking in for longer than a day of two can be fraught with peril, in my opinion, if you expect to be treated like a guest and/or if the person with whom you are staying is operating from the, "I have a guest" mentality.
It seems to me any extended time relationship, be it with family or friends or framily (those amazing people who aren't related to you by blood but you still consider to be family) works because all involved are able to be their authentic selves. That means saying no as well as saying yes. I always knew our exchange student was feeling at home when they said a voluminous NO to their exchange siblings or vice versa. Because that's what you want, or at least what I want, when we're under roof for longer than a sun rise, sun set--the ability for all to bring their best and their warts to the table or the couch or the porch. You get the picture.
We have plenty of practice with having and being company, more with being than having to tell the truth. (For some strange reason, folks are not particularly keen on coming to Minnesota.) Usually we're invited for a return stay, an offer we tend to accept. One of my favorite company stories was when we received a text in the Miami airport from our framily member Marcy Luft who said she and her husband and 4 kids were on their way up from Des Moines to spend a couple days with us. What a wonderful welcome home present! (We barely beat them to the house.) We have shared hotel rooms, condos, VRBO/Airbnb/Home Away accomodations. We love it, both sides, having and being.
So, no offense to my sister whom I love dearly and from whom we will be living about 100 feet away this April, I am looking forward to all the company that will be sharing space with us. Please bring your laughter and your tears. Sleep in late or celebrate the sunrise. Say yes as much as you want and I hope you know you should say no when that's the best answer. All comers welcome.
Because that's what I'll be doing.
Recipes: sorry, none. We've been cleaning out the cupboards and refrigerator. We plan to cook a lot while in Florida with as much fresh produce and fish and seafood as we can find. I've noted a number of NYTimes recipes that will fit that bill so watch for updates.
Blue Ribbon Packing: I'm a notoriously terrible packer. The Dan-o loves to give me a hard time when we arrive at the airport and I haul my suitcase onto the scale. Typically I sneak in at just under 50 lbs., the max before a surcharge is slapped onto you just because you like to have considerable wardrobe choices, including multiple pairs of Flip Flops. For a month away from home, I reminded myself that there's a washer and dryer in our unit. Below is what my suitcase looks like as I'm about ready to zip it shut. I'm impressed.
So is there a difference? And if there is a difference, does it make a difference to anyone?
Clearly I believe it makes a difference because I'm writing a blog post about it. #helloCaptainObvious
Being the member in good standing of POEM (Professional Organization of English Majors, from Garrison Keillor and Prairie Home Companion), I turned to Webster's for the definition of these two words.
Guest: a person who is entertained, taken out to eat, etc, and paid for by another. a person who receives hospitality at the home of another
Company: an assemblage of persons for social purposes; companionship; fellowship; association.
I'm going with company.
Traveling with someone(s) else, even just the spousal unit, can be an interesting experience. Staying at someone's home for more than the casual overnight the same. Bunking in for longer than a day of two can be fraught with peril, in my opinion, if you expect to be treated like a guest and/or if the person with whom you are staying is operating from the, "I have a guest" mentality.
It seems to me any extended time relationship, be it with family or friends or framily (those amazing people who aren't related to you by blood but you still consider to be family) works because all involved are able to be their authentic selves. That means saying no as well as saying yes. I always knew our exchange student was feeling at home when they said a voluminous NO to their exchange siblings or vice versa. Because that's what you want, or at least what I want, when we're under roof for longer than a sun rise, sun set--the ability for all to bring their best and their warts to the table or the couch or the porch. You get the picture.
We have plenty of practice with having and being company, more with being than having to tell the truth. (For some strange reason, folks are not particularly keen on coming to Minnesota.) Usually we're invited for a return stay, an offer we tend to accept. One of my favorite company stories was when we received a text in the Miami airport from our framily member Marcy Luft who said she and her husband and 4 kids were on their way up from Des Moines to spend a couple days with us. What a wonderful welcome home present! (We barely beat them to the house.) We have shared hotel rooms, condos, VRBO/Airbnb/Home Away accomodations. We love it, both sides, having and being.
So, no offense to my sister whom I love dearly and from whom we will be living about 100 feet away this April, I am looking forward to all the company that will be sharing space with us. Please bring your laughter and your tears. Sleep in late or celebrate the sunrise. Say yes as much as you want and I hope you know you should say no when that's the best answer. All comers welcome.
Because that's what I'll be doing.
Recipes: sorry, none. We've been cleaning out the cupboards and refrigerator. We plan to cook a lot while in Florida with as much fresh produce and fish and seafood as we can find. I've noted a number of NYTimes recipes that will fit that bill so watch for updates.
Blue Ribbon Packing: I'm a notoriously terrible packer. The Dan-o loves to give me a hard time when we arrive at the airport and I haul my suitcase onto the scale. Typically I sneak in at just under 50 lbs., the max before a surcharge is slapped onto you just because you like to have considerable wardrobe choices, including multiple pairs of Flip Flops. For a month away from home, I reminded myself that there's a washer and dryer in our unit. Below is what my suitcase looks like as I'm about ready to zip it shut. I'm impressed.
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