Very hard work. . .

Cleaning up a garden that has snow all over it is neither easy nor fun. Oh my. Did I ever do a lot of cutting back, digging up, dragging wagons full of detritus over the wall, falling down and having to actually roll over in order to get back up in the woods near the wall. But all is now cleared away and Puppy's Pop can borrow his kid brother's tiller and fertilize the soil before he plants the winter rye on half of the garden and grass seed on the other half. I've got to cut back. Getting lazy in my middle years! I did manage to save five more gourds that really are quite pretty. One had turned black but when I brushed it the skin came off and it is a mottled pale tan and green. I'm going to see if I can dry it out and use it to darn socks like Pépé did!

Grampa burned a monster pile of branches and odds and ends yesterday while everything was so wet. He got the fire going so good I gave him all of the personal papers we seem to accumulate and they went up in smoke too. The fire is still smoldering today so he put in some more sticks. The yard is looking fine. The snow is receding so perhaps we'll still have a chance to experience Fall before Winter .

Quote: The eye speaks with an eloquence and truthfulness surpassing speech. _It is the window out of which the winged thoughts often fly unwittingly. _It is the tiny magic mirror on whose crystal surface the moods of feeling fitfully play, like the sunlight and shadow on a quiet stream. ___Tuckerman

And younger sister . . .

I just called R. to see if I could go a visiting tomorrow. Well, they have no power, over 8" of snow, horrible roads and no guarantee of power anytime soon. Gee, when have we seen this before? They have been told they might be out for a week. At least her daughter has a generator and they can go there if they need to. She is only about 2 miles away from them. Egads I think I'd better call my brothers and see how they are doing.

Just a tad odd . . .

I must admit that it is odd to go for a walk in October and have snow covering the ground. The Maples have lost most of their leaves and the Oaks are still loaded with brownish yellow leaves. I was buffeted by the winds and at times had to bend over and fight my way up the street but it is truly a remarkably clear, bright Autumn day. So, Mother Nature has spoken and mere mortals can do nothing but appreciate her sense of humor.

Mass this morning was a joy. The choir was in full voice and has added some new hymns to its repertoire. We had a guest priest from Cross International who spoke English very well and also had a good voice for the High Mass. All in all a good start to the week. Kiddo has already been to a Halloween Party so I'm not sure if middle child will be bringing him to Moosup to trick or treat with his cousins. She has been putting in lots of hours at Richoni's as she breaks in new bar tenders. I'm sure Grampa will enjoy the candy we have if no kids stop in as I was told to buy Reese's Peanut Buttercups! I also threw in the M&M Peanuts so he'll be all set for a while!

Quote: Rage is essentially vulgar, and never more vulgar than when it proceeds from mortified pride, disappointed ambition, or thwarted wilfulness. _ H. Coleridge

No trade . . .

I spoke with Brian from Caruso Music in New London about trading my Kholer & Campbell piano for a digital piano but it seems they really don't want anything to do with my piano! Surprise, surprise. We bought the piano in 1982 and I thought it was a new piano. Guess what? It was already 13 years old when I bought it! That is so incredible. I had no clue I had bought a used piano. Of course Kholer & Campbell went out of business around 1984. Oh well, c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas? Live and learn. The good thing is that the piano is fine for me. I only wanted to change to the digital because I could then play to my heart's content with a headset on and I wouldn't care about anyone one else being bored by my poor playing! They're getting at least $1,000 for the cheapest digital piano. I paid that for my second hand console almost 30 years ago. I emailed photos of the piano to this Brian person just so he could give me an idea of what it's worth. He must have died laughing because I haven't heard back from him! I do believe that there really is no market for a marginal 42 year old console so I'll just keep the thing. Kiddo was tickling the keys yesterday and he's starting to get some nice sounds from it. (I had not realized that the piano had a serial number. Makes sense, I guess. Anyway, that's how I found out that the piano was built in 1969.)

It is snowing out as I write on this cold, windy Saturday evening in October. A northeaster! Who'd a thunk it? I haven't even finished cleaning out the garden! C'est vraiment dégoûtant. Kiddo and I spent a lot of time outside in the cold playing baseball and Grampa fixed up a contraption early this morning so Kiddo could shoot off a model rocket using the air hose near the garage. He had a blast while poor Grampa was freezing. I made a nice cold weather supper tonight: a lentil casserole with jasmine rice. It was quite good but I did use some of the green Tobasco for a little kick!

Quote: There are many times and circumstances in life when "Our strength is, to sit still." ___Tryon Edwards

Darning . . .

Yes, I can hardly believe it myself. I did really, honest to goodness, darn a sock this morning. I have some favorite, very comfortable socks from LLBean, soft and with just some wool. They are only one year old! One had a hole in the toe. I was miffed because I surely didn't want to throw out the pair. Then I had a vision of my Pépé Bonnin using a shmoo looking gourd to darn our socks. Well I didn't use a gourd but I did dig out needle and thread and my sock is better than ever! Hip, hip, hooray! I saved the day. I must admit I do miss my Pépé Bonnin to this day. He was such a kind, gentle soul. I still think of him when I get up to a bright sunshiny day and I can hear him say, "Good morning, Mary sunshine!" There was nothing but calm and loving in those clear blue eyes. Still smile when I recall being sent to Paul's Package Store to pick up Pépé's medicine. I remember the church key hanging on the door of the store so the guys could crack open their beers and stand around and chat. And I remember the posters of the beautiful Rheingold Girls hanging up above the counter and the men could vote for their favorite girl. I remember winning drinks for all the kids (Yoohoos) when one of the men would challenge me to complete a plastic rectangular number puzzle which he had scrambled. Manischewitz have we lost a lot of the freedom we used to enjoy.

Had a good visit with youngest sister-in-law yesterday, a little bite of lunch, lots of good chatting (it's so nice to have another woman to help you bounce ideas around) and a bit of piano playing. It was great.

Quote: A faithful and true friend is a living treasure, inestimable in possession, and deeply to be lamented when gone. Nothing is more common than to talk of a friend; nothing more difficult than to find one; nothing more rare than to improve by one as we ought.
A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide, and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity.
He who has made the acquisition of a judicious and sympathizing friend, may be said to have doubled his mental resources. ___Robert Hall

Almost a nightmare . . .

Had to download the latest operating system for the iPad which meant I had to synchronize it with the computer. Problem: (for me) the new computer wasn't ready for anything to do with the iPad. So I diligently downloaded iTunes and thought I did a good job of syncing the iPad. I hadn't done a good job! I was horrible! It's a good thing that Southern Daughter was home because I made so many calls to her that I'm certain she didn't have time for her school work or dinner preparations! She did save the day and my files are now all backed up properly and I think that I know a bit more about what I'm doing when I have to back up files on the HP. I shall religiously back up the iPad every Monday or I may get brave and use iCloud. But I think I may be better off if I stay timid for quite some time.

It is an absolutely beautiful Fall day, sunny, breezy, high fifties, dry and clean, clear air. Had in invigorating walk and then decided to dig out some old music books because youngest sister-in-law is coming over in a while and she may want to try out the poor old piano. It got me to thinking, "I wonder if I could sell or trade the piano to a music store and then get an electronic piano?" I think I might use that more than my present instrument because I could play using headphones and Puppy's Pop wouldn't have to put up with the racket! I realize it isn't supposed to be "noise" but I can guarantee it would be noise to all and sundry as I try to review what little I used to know. It's just a thought. He's back playing horseshoes at the indoor clay pits in East Hartford today. That's such a good change of pace for him. Out of the basement and into the dusty pits! There are quite a few really nice guys who play there regularly and occasionally a couple of women pitch also. He will probably sign up for some of the tournaments too. Well, off to get caught up on National Review and perhaps the piano.

Quote: Music is the fourth great material want of our nature, --first food, then raiment, then shelter, then music. __Bovee

Four dollar tomato . . .

Showing photos of a few of those wonderful Live Oaks that grace Louisiana everywhere.

Had to go food shopping yesterday, first time since we've come home from A's and it wasn't pretty. Spent close to $200 just on necessities but the best was my beautiful, red, luscious looking tomato! We've been on a sandwich eating binge and since lettuce doesn't like me any more I always like a nice slice of tomato on top of the meat along with some Cain's mayonnaise. I will relish the slices from this tomato which cost over $4.00! If you work at minimum wage it cost about half an hour of work time. Gees Louise, when I started working at .50 an hour I would have had to work a full day to buy one big fat tomato at today's prices. Not sure what this all means except prices are outrageous and I, obviously, am not a good shopper!

Had a really good Friday evening and Saturday morning with Kiddo. We spent most of the time out of doors just walking in the woods to see Yoda and at the playground strutting our stuff for a little girl who was also enjoying time with her grandparents. What a pleasure. We went to Zip's for breakfast this morning. When we left home it was 45 degrees, overcast raw and gray. Zip's four corners was sunny, temperate, clear and beautiful. Returned home and we're back in the doldrums. Crazy New England. The trees are not at all special or bright and beautiful this year. A little bit of yellow, no reds to speak of, pretty drab. Since I am a "needs sunshine person" I hope the day progresses to bright and at least tepid! Will be going to a play in Putnam with younger brother and his wife this afternoon. All in all it will be a good day.

Quote: I once gave a lady two-and-twenty receipts against melancholy; one was a bright fire; another, to remember all the pleasant things said to her; another, to keep a box of sugarplums on the chimney-piece and a kettle simmering on the hob. I thought this mere trifling at the moment, but have in after life discovered how true it is that these little pleasures often banish melancholy better than higher and more exalted objects; and that no means ought to be thought too trifling which can oppose it either in ourselves or in others. __Sydney Smith

Enough . . . already . . .

Well, in less than a month we have had to buy a new car, a new porch roof, a new computer and a printer/scanner. That's it. I can't stand any more breakdowns! We are up and running. That's the good part. I just need to get the right USB cable and then run the software for the printer. Phew. It's a good thing Puppy's Pop has so much patience as he set up the whole mess! That's all I can write for now. Once again I'm all pooped out!

Quote: Music is a prophecy of what life is to be; the rainbow of promise translated out of seeing into hearing. __Mrs. L. M. Child

What a mess . . .

It has taken me all morning to connect to this blog. We're having all sorts of tech problems today! I'm bringing the desk top computer to Staples because it crashed and may have to be relegated to the pyre. It took hours before the WiFi radio which just came back from repair work in California started to work properly and now the iPad and Safari would not let me connect to Qu'que chose. I'm almost despondent! Hope it doesn't take Staples too long to fix the emachine if it's even worth fixing. I may buy another PC and just have them download the old files if possible. I'm pooped already! On my way to Groton by way of the Norwich Staples since that's where I received good support 5 years ago!

Last glorious southern day for now . . .

While Puppy's Pop and Son were at the flying contest yesterday Southern Daughter and I were shopping at the Louisiana Mall in Baton Rouge. We just roamed around and didn't buy too much, a wallet for her and some T- shirts for moi. The best part was lunch at Joe's Crab Shack where I had coconut shrimp, a Margarita and a crazy chocolate desert. The men were already home when we returned. Puppy's Pop came in second in his class, Advanced. He's doing good. Also won a plane kit, some hats and a new handle for the new plane! He wracked up. We lucked out today because A.was able to come home early so we went to The Magnolia Café for lunch in St. Francisville. It reminded me of something you would expect to see in Casa Grande, Arizona, rustic, authentic and old! Food was great. I had my ubiquitous Margarita with the special of the day, white beans and rice which came with a lagniappe of cornbread and salad. I think I shall have to start using more beans and rice in my home cooking; delicious, healthy and not too hard to make! Sounds like a plan! Time to go sit in the gazebo to relax and read.

And did I mention . . .

Sitting on the gallery swinging away while the heavens burst and the rain streams down while overhead the lightening strikes are so bright they hurt your eyes? And did I mention the sun so glaringly bright I must wear a hat when out of doors; the Maltipoo puppy, Lily and faithful Shih Tzu, Shelbie vying for attention; finally discovering the acorns from ancient live oaks to bring home and attempt to grow at least one gnarled beautiful live oak indoors; dinner at Sammy's with my most loved Southerners; catfish and sweet potato fries; playing cribbage and laughing late into the night; enjoying oral stories and written letters about southern daughter's varied family; total tranquility in this corner of southern hospitality this dry, sunny, clear Saturday morning? Life is what you want it to be. Life is good, sweet, ephemeral. Cueillez des aujourd'ui les roses de la vie! Ronsard.

What a day . . .

Have already gone for my walk at Doyle's Bayou Park while Puppy's Pop was flying. His friend Gil stopped in and confirmed my suspicions. This is the best time of year in Southern Louisiana: deep blue cloudless big sky, very bright sun high in the sky, dry and graciously comfortable. And the retirement is easy! We passed by an elegant new home with a hundred year old Live Oak covered with streamers of toilet paper! It is not a prank! The local high school team, the Broncos, is playing this weekend and it is homecoming. That's one of the ways they celebrate! Looks quite odd but it is all in fun.

Our sojourn to New Iberia yesterday was wonderful. We drove over and through the Achafalaya Swamp, the largest swamp in the USA. The engineering of the road above the swamp is incredible. I ooh and ahh all the way. We visited Jefferson House on Jackson Island. I will start my picture show after we return to Connecticut if our photos come out okay. The docent was a lovely young woman and we were the only two people on the tour. The best part of old southern homes is the huge windows across from each other which you can walk through to go sit on the gallery to enjoy the breezes wafting through the gigantic, gnarled live oaks. We walked the gardens through tall stands of bamboo down to Lake Peigneur where we had lunch. Yep, I finally snagged a muffuletta and a margarita to aid the digestive process. I wanted to buy a book about the 1980 calamity that befell Lake Peigneur and the Live Oak Gardens but it is just being published. As best I can describe the accident Lake Peigneur was a fresh water lake about eleven feet deep. Jefferson House on Jackson Island is on top of a salt dome. Diamond Crystal had a huge salt mine in the immediate area. Texaco was drilling test wells for oil which is often found near salt domes. Texaco mistakenly drilled into the salt mine where fifty five miners were working. The drilled hole caused Lake Peigneur to be swallowed into the mine. All of the men were able to escape as the water started to flood the mine. At least eleven boats and barges were swallowed and a channel to the gulf started to run north to fill up the place where Lake Peigneur had been. The accident also swallowed up the new retirement home the owner of Jefferson House had built. Only the chimney remains sticking up in the lake. He lost 65 acres of Jackson Island that had been covered in old live oaks and pecan trees along with a large hot house where he was nurturing rare species of plants. No one lost their life but Lake Peigneur is now a very deep salt water lake and the ecology has changed dramatically.

After lunch we went on into New Iberia to visit Shadows-on-the-Teche an 1834 home that has been restored with the furnishings that are original to the original owners of the home. They made their fortune in sugar cane. Life in New Iberia seems to be wrapped in sugar cane. The fields are truly everywhere. The harvesting has begun but we did not smell the burning of the chaff in the fields because it is too early in the season.

Lucked out . . .

Decided to spend a relaxing day at home and we lucked out big time. Son got back from North Carolina this morning and didn't have to be at work until 2:00 this afternoon. Puppy's Pop needed to go to the Hobby Shop in Baton Rouge which brings us very close to Frank's Restaurant and Smokehouse. I drove to Frank's with son and came back home with Puppy's Pop! The best of all possible worlds! Had to bring back about half of my lunch but it was great: red beans and sausage on rice, crunchy sweet potatoes, fresh collard greens, biscuits, cornbread and fresh, unsweetened ice tea. Not sure how I can possibly eat supper tonight but I will cook up the deboned chicken we bought at Chris' Specialty Meats in Zachary so that Southern Daughter and the guys can have a good meal. Grampa and I will set out tomorrow for our excursion after some pecan waffles at the Waffle House. Now it is time to sit on the porch and read. I've already taken Lily and Shelbie out for their walks.

Smiley Anders for October 12, 2011 | News | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Read the first part of his column. Pretty cute.

Smiley Anders for October 12, 2011 | News | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

The celebrated toad of East Feliciana Parish . . .

Sorry Samuel but I like the title! Went into the bathroom last evening and I saw a brown splotch on the floor. Knowing that puppies can sometimes forget where they are supposed to go potty and thinking the splotch looked rather 3D'ish and could also be a leaf we had dragged in I gingerly picked up the raised brown spot with a tissue and wrapped it in another tissue before taking it out on the verandah where daughter-in-law was relaxing. I proceeded to shake out the tissues and she jumped up to see what I was up to. That's when we saw the brown, horned splotch leaping off into the grass. So glad was I to see the splotch jumping, much better than having to blame the puppies!

Spending a quiet day at home after mailing out A Passage to India, a set of audio CD's that I sold on Amazon before we left Connecticut but couldn't mail as the USPS was closed for the holiday weekend. I've sold about $200 worth of my audio books. Better than just holding on to them pretending that I'll listen to them a second time!

Son is off to North Carolina for his company and Southern Daughter is off to work so I can rule the roost while Puppy's Pop is out flying in preparation for this weekend's contest at Independence Park in Baton Rouge. He was off yesterday with his friend Gil and went out to lunch. Now that was perfectly fine except that he had a muffuletta for lunch! That is my absolute favorite lunch and I didn't even get a morsel! Very unfair of the man but I survived by having my peanut butter English Muffin lunch! Took the time last night to plan our excursion for this trip to our Southern family. We'll be visiting Live Oak Gardens and Lake Peigneur in New Iberia. Also hope to visit Shadows-on-the-Teche an antebellum home overlooking Bayou Teche. Perhaps we'll be able to stop for a meal at Mulate's in Breaux Bridge on the way home. Hoping we'll see some cotton fields on our journey and the harvesting of the sugar cane crop. Have to remember to ask Southern Daughter if we can borrow her camera.

Beautiful days . . .

Arrived in Baton Rouge yesterday a little after noon. A. picked us up in his cool Ford truck. We'll be driving the Stratus while we're here. It's quite amazing how the Stratus is holding on to its good looks. It is as handsome as any new vehicle on the road. Puppy's Pop and I went out to pick up a few odds and ends. It is always so easy to feel at home here. A. fried a turkey for supper and we had plain cooked mixed veggies as a side. Wow, that turkey was excellent. I've never had turkey that tasty and tender. We'll probably finish it off for supper tonight. M. has today off so the puppies went to the groomers. They came home just a while ago with pink ribbons on their ears, pink nails and smelling pretty. I on the other hand am a mess! I've been outside picking up blue plasticky stuff in the back yard! There had been a pool and the underlying material has been perforated by the roots of the strong grass that grows here. What a mess. You can hardly pick up a piece more than 6" square and when it has been mowed the pieces are even smaller and strewn around! That was my exercise for the day. It felt good to be outside trying to be useful! Met a friend of B. Nicole's today. I liked him. Seems like a nice young man.

Phew . . . finally slowing down . . .

Did my lunch duty yesterday for two hours and let Kiddo run around with friends at the playground since he got out of class at 1am for First Friday. We managed to get a quick bite to eat at McD's before heading to Moosup. Then we were nonstop baseball, ladder ball and traipsing through the woods to locate Yoda's grotto. After supper he and Grampa played with the Wii and watched a movie. Then the real fun began! He finally showed a real interest in the piano so I showed him how to play a few notes but his hands are a bit clumsy for now. He asked me to play while he sang! What a blast! He read me a book about sharks before going to sleep. After homemade breakfast this early morning he washed the dishes so we could go faster. We were up in the woods again to find some really strong branches which we turned into staves so we could fight like Robin Hood and Little John. He's pretty powerful and I have to be careful I don't get clunked! After breaking at least 4 staves we shifted back to baseball. He even likes to pitch and is using a glove too. Wonders will never cease. Later he tired me out just watching him swinging and jumping off. I think he did that for about an hour while I basked in the sun on my hammock. Too bad kiddos have to grow up. He's a lot of fun just the way he is. He found a book series he likes so he and I ordered the last four of the eleven book series. Freddie Fernortner, Fearless First Grader gets himself into some interesting predicaments and even though Kiddo is in second grade he likes the books. I'm not about to argue about that! He keeps books in his desk at school so if he finishes his work he has a good past time. Smart teacher.

We're pretty much set to leave for Baton Rouge. The oldest turned 40 today. Seems impossible. I do remember Puppy's Pop driving us home from Norwich with A. in my arms. Ma Tante was at the door to welcome us home. That was so very heart warming.

Quote: Blessed be the hand that prepares a pleasure for a child, for there is no saying when and where it may bloom forth. ___Jerrold

Storm windows down . . .

Yep. Can't believe that I've already pulled down all of the storm windows. It was 34 degrees when I got up at 7 this morning with a slight frost on the garage roof. Just the thought of a visit from the oil man leaves me in dread. I like being warm and that means 70 degrees in the house during the day. I think I'll finally start thinking about ways to economize. Should have done that years ago but never got around to thinking it was a priority. Now it is. Have to make sure I really do put some money away in savings and, of greater importance, leave it there! I tend to put it away and then take it back out for fun stuff! Not a good tactic!

Taking Steve Jobs' death on the personal side. I really like my iPad very much and I consider him the ultimate brain behind everything Apple. He was not a braggadocio about his philanthropy as so many famously rich people are. Seemed pretty down to earth. I hope he can get his job done in iHeaven. Requiescat in pace, Mr. Jobs.

Kiddo lost his first tooth yesterday while he was in class. His teacher tried to keep it to put under her pillow but he wouldn't give it up! Such a handsome kid, if I do say so myself. Spent the time after school with his tongue in the hole where that neat little tooth had been! He played at the playground for about half an hour before we headed for home where he read some Freddy Fernortner for me. I tell him I don't care what he reads as long as he does some reading every day. Not certain I'm winning the battle!

Quote: A wise man will desire no more than he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and leave contentedly. ___Burton

Much accomplished . . .

Only ten in the morning and have already done a load of wash, including heavy bath mat, eaten breakfast at Zip's, walked my two miles with Puppy's Pop, cancelled the mail and paper for next week and still have time to work in the raspberries if I feel like it! Now that I'm sitting down perhaps I'll just read until it's time to go to Groton. We bumped onto Carl M. while on our walk and if the weather cooperates he should be working on the porch roof next week. Can't wait to have that completed. I'd also like to get the whole house roof replaced but Puppy's Pop is giving me a semi hard time. It really doesn't seem to have any leaks but it's growing moss at a fast pace. Can't believe that that is good for the roof. Of course anything we do on the roof will be a pain because of the Northern exposure. I hate to spend the money but it will have to be done someday just not sure if we should do it now or wait until . . ? Looks like it will stay in the 50's today with partial sun. Can't get a break with this Mark Twain weather. Had a good visit with youngest sister-in-law yesterday. She may be able to stop in on some Tuesdays. She is helping out with her youngest grandchild and has some time between dropping her off at pre-K and picking her up from the bus. Now it's time for me to read the paper and have a cup of coffee. We were out too early today!

Quote: Nothing in the world is more haughty than a man of moderate capacity when once raised to power. ____Wessenburg

Another crazy weather day . . .

Started out foggy and cool, then beautiful sunshine at noon now back to cool and cloudy. We did get a lot done today. I cleaned up half of the garden, the half we're going to let go back to lawn! I'm cutting the garden in half. It's getting to be too difficult to clean up in the Fall. So next year I'll just have tomatoes, cucumbers and flowers! I think that'll work. I may have to put in a few squash and green beans too but then I'll call it quits. Sounds like a good plan for me and Puppy's Pop. We also had a planned visit from Bousquet's Appliance Store because I have been having on again off again troubles with the new washing machine. It'll be out of warranty in November so it's a good time to get it checked out. Of course it was perfect! But the young man (he races radio control cars) did explain that the newfangled machines are all computer controlled so if my wash is not well balanced it won't spin! That's what I figured but I've also been doing small washes which is not a good idea. It seems the machine likes to work at its optimum capacity. I also have to be careful not to use too much soap. Wow, so much to think about just to wash the clothes. I will use the wash cycles more judiciously from now on. I tend to wash everything in the normal load configuration. He told me to use the heavy load for towels and jeans. I guess I really should pay attention to the directions he gave me which I didn't get when we bought it! The Elantra is averaging 35 mpg so I'm pretty pleased with that. Sold another set of audio books on Amazon for $75. Not getting rich but it's making room for other audio books! We also had a good time at the Little League Field where Puppy's Pop flew and I got in my two mile walk. Cousin Louis dropped in at the field to offer us some more flowers but I had to decline as we won't be home to appreciate them. Maybe I can get some at the end of October if we don't have a frost too soon. The raspberries are just getting ripe and beautiful. Grampa picked me a handful and they are very sweet. Going out with Oneco friends for supper. Always a plus!

Quote: Hundreds would never have known want, if they had not first known waste. __Spurgeon

Yay, we have sun. . .

The sun has finally deigned to show his face. We've had quite a few semi gloomy days strung in a row lately along with high mugginess. Most uncomfortable state of affairs! Just got back from a walk up the street and saw the October Walk Festers leaving the Evergreen Cemetery. I'm certain they checked out the monument to the wonderful milk cow and the fiddle player! It is a well kept, peaceful plot of God's green valley. I haven't seen the bagpiper practicing in quite a few years. That was always a treat. Ate breakfast at home this Sunday morning and went to lunch in Woodstock. Poor Puppy's Pop, the Yankee Flyers have lost their best field because the company who owns it is expanding right out on the runway! We took a ride to the other field at the Woodstock Waste hill site. It was raining when we got there and it seems you have to have the combination to the lock to get in the gate. Puppy's Pop did manage to pop an umbrella and talk to Paul H. The Woodstock Field will not be good for control line flying as the field is located high up on the mound of covered garbage and isn't really wide enough. It's a good thing he has an alternate field in Oneco!

Grampa just came in from pitching horseshoes to let me know he's going to mow the grass. That's my cue to close the windows to keep out the pollen. There is no dust flying around today because of all the rain we've had but the grasses are growing and so are the weeds. He's had a hard time getting the mowing done lately and he hates to see long grass. The yard always looks so velvety and bright when he's finished. Had a good Friday/Saturday with Kiddo. Did a lot of short stints at soccer, basketball, baseball, scootering and swinging before we spent most of our time listening to music! He and middle child really like a Monday evening TV show that features a Capella groups vying for a top prize of thousands of dollars. I must admit I was impressed with some of the music. It does remind me of the Nylons! Kiddo brings down the metronome and we beat time as he sets it for some of the songs. Good times.

Quote: Fairest of lights above! thou sun whose beams adorn the spheres, and with unwearied swiftness move, to form the circle of our years. ___Watts