It has come and gone . . .

The tropical storm didn't damage the property but we have been without power since 8:40am Sunday. It's fine for a while but it's getting to be a pain especially when you have guests and not much is functioning anywhere in North Eastern Connecticut! We've eaten breakfast at Zip's Diner because the four corners at 101 and Rte 12 have power but I don't dare buy any food because what little we have left is packed in ice. We can go to middle child's for ice, baths, washings and lunches at Richoni's if necessary. The best part of this mess is a gorgeous night sky and the weather is clear, dry and beautiful.

Quote: Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society. ___Thackeray

Mystic Drawbridge . . . neato . . .

Had to run an errand for middle child which meant going into downtown Mystic during the tourist season! But Kiddo and I with the brand spanking new Garmin made it beautifully and found a super parking place. We had to go to Scuttlebutt and drop off five of his gym shirts to be monogrammed with the Sacred Heart logo. ( New rules for 2011! Ouch!) As I was speaking with the proprietor we heard a whistle and looked out the back door. Lo and behold the draw bridge was starting to go up so Kiddo was out the door in a flash and had the grandest view possible of all the proceedings. The shop is located right on the public park so we stayed on the pier and watched many tall masted sailboats come through along with some fishing vessels going out to sea. We took a walk on the bridge after the excitement. It was impressive. Watched a family with three little ones fishing from the park pier. They had oodles of bites but couldn't bring the fish in. Kiddo got a charge out of that. There is a nice enclosed playground nearby surrounded by beautiful old homes and we spent some time swinging and climbing before heading back to lunch and Beyblades.

Our cottage (yes, cottage, that way we don't have to keep putting money into its upkeep!) is ready for company but not for Eiréné. What a horrid name for a hurricane, Peace. Now what on earth is peaceful about a hurricane? Perhaps the eye? Foolish hurricane namers. I hate all of the hype. Just let nature do its job and then leave us in eiréné. Ye gads! This is annoying. Now Kiddo's birthday party has been rescheduled, again! Probably to the 18th of September! I'm glad his folks had a cake for him on August 13. He's getting a kick out all the attention and scattered cakes and presents. Will pick him up at 1pm today and go play miniature golf in Thompson just to give him a change of venue! I'm guessing we'll have to stop at Ra Ra's before we come home!

Quote: Wit should be used as a shield for defence rather than as a sword to wound others. ___Fuller

Three fantastic New England days in a row . . .

Will wonders never cease? Perhaps this weekend the wonders will cease but for now we've had great walking weather. Been getting up to temps in the 50's and only low 80's during the afternoon when the sun is directly hitting the thermometer. Early Fall is a good season but it won't last with my namesake making its way up the east coast. Bummer. I hope it doesn't mess up all the plans our family has for the weekend and next week.Carl M. hasn't set a date yet for the new porch roof so I hope we'll weather the storm if it does make it to north eastern Connecticut without flooding the bird food! May have to dig out some old wash basins. Went to Zip's this morning and stopped for the cheapest gas we've seen in CT. The Cumberland Farms on Route 12 between Danielson and Wauregan has regular at $3.65. Moosup Cumby's is $3.83. Puppy's Pop filled the Pontiac and some extra cans for the lawnmowers, Hot Rod, El Camino and Dodge Ram. Way too many vehicles around here. If they hold 100 gallons in all and we keep them filled, which is not the case, that's a scary number to pay for just driving for pleasure and groceries! Time to cool down before I go off to Groton.

Quote: He enjoys much who is thankful for little; a grateful mind is both a great and a happy mind. ___Secker

Double your pleasure; double your fun . . ,

Had two kiddos Friday and we all had a good time. I didn't know there was an eighteen hole miniature golf course at the Brooklyn Country Club on South Street until I bumped into Puppy's Pop's Aunt Alice at the Plainfield Pride Day. She was telling me about the great breakfasts at the Brooklyn Country Club Restaurant and mentioned the miniature golf. Everything about naming a golf course a Country Club in Brooklyn, CT ( 9 holes and a restaurant) is really putting on airs but it certainly was fun. The man in charge let the boys play a second round for $3.75. That was for the two of them! Now that's good deal. After golf we came back to RaRa's in Moosup where grandson and his cousin ate ice cream and played arcade games before we returned home to play Wii Sports. Next on the agenda was the two 7 year olds beating me up in Beyblades. Now I owe them another Friday outing! Woe is me!

Yesterday Grampa was flying at his Sterling Town Hall field when Oneco friends dropped by in one of their 'Vettes. They told him that their 8 year old grandson got his Junior Dragster license this week. Pretty neat! I guess he had to make 8 passes because he was way too fast for his age and bracket. They had to work at slowing him down! Great a capella singing at Mass this morning. As I was returning to my car I spoke with a young man who was having great difficulty walking with a cane. I asked what had happened. He's a nice kid I knew from subbing at the Middle School in Plainfield; handsome, dark, long straight hair in a pony tail, probably mid eastern family. All he told me was ,"Someone hurt me." He said he's getting better. It happened in December. He's a wiry, slightly built kid about 5'9". I can't believe that someone would do that here in Plainfield, CT but nastiness isn't confined to the cities.

Puppy's Pop has just returned from flying and invited me to lunch! Hip, hip! That means I don't have to worry about making supper!

Quote: My precept to all who build, is, that the owner should be an ornament to the house, and not the house to owner. ___Cicero

Part II

Crazy gourds!
Neat little bees at work!
I like this green gourd!
Almost a pumpkin!

How my garden does grow . . .

Two gourds and a cuke!
Too much pink!
More sunflowers!
Can't wait for the birds to come!
Funny gourds!

Time for blueberry pie . . .

Pretty miserable day so I thought a blueberry pie was in order. Haven't baked in a dog's age but it came out almost perfect. The crust was perfect but the filling could have been a bit sweeter although Puppy's Pop thought it was fine. I even made a little brown sugar baby which I devoured as soon as it cooled enough to eat! I miss having kids in the house! I used to bake quite a bit when it wasn't just the two of us. I'll probably have pie for lunch tomorrow!

We had a rainy VJ Day parade but it was still wonderful. So many military groups marching and many civic societies march, play musical instruments, dance, sing, clown around, ride bikes, drive old motor cars and fire engines! It's exhilarating especially in the rain! We adjourned to the old home for the pig roast and that was also a humdinger! I think there were at least 6 tents/canopies set up and umpteen picnic tables and chairs. The food was tremendous and the drinks were outrageous! We sat with some old neighbors from my kid days at that old house and kid brother, his wife and their friend from Norwich who likes to kid me about the Bishop of Norwich whom I dislike. Good times! Older brother and his wife came late and we had already returned home so they stopped in for a night cap! (Tea!) Their oldest son and his family are on their way to Singapore today. The whole family is moving there to live. That will be a long haul when it's time for visiting!

Quote: How beautiful is the rain! After the dust and heat, in the broad and fiery street, and in the narrow lane; how beautiful is the rain! ____Longfellow

Getting crazier by the day . . .

Never seem to have time to blog! Finally have the upstairs under control. Kiddo wanted to sleep up there last night! We had a little birthday cake and a couple of small presents for him yesterday when he got here. Then we were off fishing. He was all happy because he caught four pumpkin seeds and a shiner. He threw them back since they were small and not really edible. He fancies himself quite a fisherman! No special trips this week just swimming in the pool at his house, ice cream at Dairy Queen and Bey Blades. He's a fanatic and I must admit that I love tops of any kind so we have fun. He is seven years old today so he had another little party at his house but the big shebang will be the last Sunday of August. Tomorrow is VJ Day in Moosup and there will be a big party and pig roast at the old home. I always look forward to the parade. Moosup has been at it for many years now. Time to sign off. We're meeting friends for dinner. They recently returned from cruising in Hawaii and have tales to tell. Their grandson and his mother will also join us as his Dad is building an engine for his truck on Long Island. Their kiddo was supposed to get his junior dragster license Wednesday when he turned eight but the weather didn't cooperate so he'll be going to Epping, NH this Wednesday.

Quote: We are immortal till our work is done. ___Whitefield

Getting pretty lax . . .

Having trouble getting everything done lately. Picked up Kiddo Thursday and we went to Mystic Aquarium. He loves to go there and I let him lead me around to all his favorite spots. We had to go to two sea lion shows and I must admit they were the best I've seen. There were huge crowds so someone has money to spend! Another best part of the day was watching the beluga whales just gliding past the viewing windows. The big one would stop quite often and smile and ham it up for the children. Incredibly beautiful creatures. Must have some top rate trainers because I can't believe that is a normal behavior for a beluga in the wild. As much as I dislike zoos and to some extent, aquaria, I would never be able to see and appreciate the Master's grand design without them. So hats off to Mystic Aquarium. Naturellement Kiddo found one of the most compelling reasons to spend my money. I let him buy tokens at $1 each so he could navigate a remote control boat. He was very patient waiting his turn to buy tokens and then waiting in line to get one of the 10 boats. I stayed back and kept an eye out for him. There were so many tourists hovering around their kids as they played I just looked between long legs, fat legs, bare, legs, skirted legs, ugly legs as I sat and ate ice cream on the sidelines. Friday I picked up Kiddo. We went to get his second cousin once removed (?) and they had a really good day at our house using the hose after their lunch at McD's. Saturday after breakfast Grampa left us to drive the El Camino to the first ever Plainfield Business Association Plainfield Pride Day. I joined him after I brought Kiddo back to Groton. What a great time we had. I was impressed by the number of businesses in our town. Besides the car show they had a barbecue cook off and a beer and wine tent! There were all kinds of activities for the kids and I met many people I haven't run into in years! We will definitely go again next year. It was held at Lion's Park which is to the left of the Town Hall. They even closed off Community Avenue and parking was available at the mills. Young Doug Taber was the catalyst for the PBA event. He gets a lot accomplished in our still sleepy town. Good on him! Rainy yesterday was spent upstairs moving and cleaning. Too much stuff in this old cottage. Wow, if we decide to move we'll have to get a dumpster but not sure I can part with a lot of the stuff! When youngest child gets home next year she may be able to make a dent in the accumulation of goods. Off to my cleaning fest while I'm still in the mood!

Quote: To business that we love, we rise betimes, and go to it with delight. ____Shakespeare

Good times . . .

Haven't blogged in a while . . . been busy with Kiddo, Puppy's Pop and getting caught up on my magazines. I hate it when I read them and their news is already out of date! Bummer. Nothing spectacular going on, just routine matters. Starting to get ready for our Labor Day weekend Horseshoe Tournament. Also planning to tidy up a couple of rooms upstairs so there will be a queen sized bed and air conditioning for son and his wife's visit. Kiddo wasn't too thrilled when I told him we'd have to move the toy room! I may just enlist his help when he comes Friday. He likes helping and figuring out how to do things. So he may have some good ideas. Of course he's already told me that Uncle A and Aunt M can stay in the Blue Room so we don't have to move the toy room. He lost that round!

Puppy's Pop is off flying at the Yankee Flyers' field. He's thrilled (yes, I can tell!) that he's back to mowing the field just like old times and now has a place to fly regularly. I will also be able to walk around the industrial park when I do accompany him. Heck, he may even break down and get me a coffee on rare occasions! When he returns we'll head out to Oakland Beach for lunch and a walk on the sand. Spent a very pleasant day with younger brother's wife. Went to Foxwoods and did some shopping (more like looking), had lunch at the Golden Dragon and settled for coffee and desert at Gelato's. It's so good to have a friend to talk to who really does understand you after so many years of knowing each other. Before coming home kid brother gave me a quart of blueberries he had just picked. Fantastic. I believe a pie is in order!

Been spending some time trying to help one of my former students. She is a writer and has written a play based on her great, great Aunt's diary. She was a young Canadian nun who was arrested and spent months in an internment camp in France during the Nazi take over. She asked some of her FB friends to critique her work. I try to help but I'm unaccustomed to reading on my emachine and also writing notes. I so much prefer printed material! What an old fogey I've become! Her story is very good but I'd like to see her turn it into a novel. A play doesn't seem to have room for all that needs to be said! I sent her two emails and of course she can just dismiss them. She has friends involved in theatre, writing and editing so she's in very good hands. I just get an absolute kick out of knowing these kids. They're so alive and full of courage, strength and moxie! It's okay to be getting older if you can watch the young ones grow into their skins. What fun!

Quote: The morning of life is like the dawn of day, full of purity, of imagery, and harmony. __Chateaubriand