Must be another accident . . .

The fire horn made one feeble bleat at 5:30 this morning and we still don't have power. Since we were awake we went to an early breakfast at Cozy Corner in Wauregan. We drove through downtown just to see what might be happening and Starkweather Rd. was blocked off. We had heard police and ambulance sirens after the power outage so we're guessing someone decided to kill another tree on the newly repaired and surfaced Starkweather. I still find it mind boggling that people don't know how to drive on that road. They've even put in a center line and they still don't know how to drive under control. It's crazier now because I've met skateboarders, bike riders, walkers with ear buds, moms pushing baby carriages on all parts of the road and they never seem to be walking the right way and don't bother to stay to the side. Creepy. And I still automatically use the damn road. A rather expensive start to the day. Breakfast was almost $18! I ordered a side of fruit without checking on the price. $4.50 for fresh strawberries and bananas. Yikes. Lizzy B's gives you fresh fruit as a side if you don't want the home fries.

Been a pretty busy week. We took Kiddo to Jamestown to climb around the rocks and he loved it. Wants to go back. Also spent a small fortune bowling. Yesterday he and I went to Mystic because we had to drop off his gym shirts to be embroidered with the Sacred Heart logo. Got a chance to get stuck on a side street, really no other kind of street in Mystic, as the ships sailed past the drawbridge. At least we were able to see the masts as they hovered by. We took a walk and found a toy store. Kiddo didn't even ask to go in but I wanted to look around. Really nice place. I only bought a Razzbee and a rubber powered tin bird whose wings shall flap as it flies! Cool beansies. We'll see how well it flies when he comes for his Frication. The Razzbee is a lot of fun, similar to a Frisbee but larger and made of a strong rubber circle with cloth attached and an open center. You can catch it on your head or foot or whatever sticks out! We used it in the pool yesterday and had a great time with it.

Will meet one of his school friends and her grandmother at the park today before getting a bite at Frogeez and coming home. Tomorrow we have Puppy's Pop's end of the season horseshoe picnic. Sunday I shall spend the day cleaning as much as I can before the kids get home for visits.

Quote: Ideas are like beards; men do not have them until they grow up. _____Voltaire

The Zbierski House

http://www.cityofgroton.com/reservations.asp

Zbierski House . . .

In spite of the weather the Zbierski House at Eastern Point Beach in Groton made for a great 8th birthday party for Kiddo and friends. The views from the beach house are pretty sensational for someone like me who loves to see activity on the water. Ferry boats, sailboats, working boats and pleasure craft floated by. There are two visible light houses. Since it was a rainy, misty day there were few people at the beach so we had the views and beach to ourselves. The kids had a blast running around the house and playing whatever games they imagined. The food from Richoni's was just right for kids and adults. Didn't even need beer or Margaritas to enjoy the company! (No alcoholic beverages allowed.) The weather cooperated enough so the kids could play outside and go to the playground. It seems that the city of Groton is going to be refurbishing the house. It would be great to be able to rent the whole house, upstairs and all for a monster family get together. Now it is just used for meetings, parties etc. I'm going to try to link to it but may not succeed. I didn't bring my camera to the party. But I did get to ride around in the 'vette! Not drive it, mind you, just ride. That was a lot of fun.

Quote: He that will learn to pray, let him go to the sea. ___Herbert

Fait accompli . . .

Puppy's Pop took some photos of the branch. Pretty big stuff.

Another little surgery in the books . . . over and done. Dr. Quinn said that what he removed from the bladder was even smaller than he expected. That's okay by me. Got to L&M at 7:30am and was home by 12:30pm. I was tired so I put on PJ's in the middle of the day and went to bed! What a slacker. When I awoke 2 1/2 hours later Puppy's Pop had already chopped up the monster branch that fell off of one of the old maples behind the garage while we were sitting in the kitchen catching out breaths after the morning sojourn to New London. We did't even hear it fall! I slept though the clean up and his leaving to bring the chain saw to be sharpened in Brooklyn. He is a very wonderful man. He has kept me busy for the last week or so because I must admit I've been off the wall worrying about "stuff." So now I'm all set to be able to get Kiddo tomorrow, late probably, because he wants to go to rec and make a tie dyed shirt. Oh, yuck. I hate those things! I ruthlessly tore up Puppy's Pop most egregiously loud tie dye. He has never forgiven me. Kiddo better watch out. Grampa may steal his treasure! I should be all set to go to his birthday party Saturday afternoon at Eastern Point Beach House. Yes, I'm smiling! Cool beansies.

Quote: The poets did well to conjoin music and medicine, because the office of medicine is but to tune the curious harp of man's body. ___Bacon

Good beginning . . .

I was up much too early this morning so Puppy's Pop and I headed out to Jamestown, RI. Oh what a beautiful start to this dry, hot, slightly breezy summer day. We climbed around for well over an hour watching fisher folk trying their luck and also caught sight of a few early sun lovers. I will always love Beavertail. If my ship were to come in I would buy the entire island and people it with family, friends and young ones. We drove up Route One and stopped for coffee and a muffin at Jitters Café in North Kingston. Also got a chance to ogle the wonderful old homes in Wickford without doing the tourist route. There are times when New England Yankees are just plain good for something.

Had a very good day for the VJ Day Parade yesterday. The sun stayed behind the clouds for most of the parade and then when we went to the old homestead for the picnic the sun and breeze were dandy. I'm guessing there were at least 20 kids under 10 at the party having a blast in the pool and on a monster water slide type contraption. Very cool. Nephew's cousin brought his roaster and did up the pig. It was juicy, tender and delicious. I must say that I had at a minimum two plates of food and quite a few deserts! My two brothers and their wives were also at the party along with Singapore nephew.

"Good times, good times," as the kiddo would say. Today is his 8th Birthday. We had a little party for him Friday. He gets a kick out of that, just the three of us. We bought him a set of DVD's and a Ninjago Lego set with over 250 pieces. We thought he'd bring it home because it would take him a while to make it. Nope. He just opened it up and set to work on the kitchen table. He built it himself in under two hours. Pretty good. It was fun watching him. I was reading sitting in my Vermont rocker so he could tell me when to marvel at Cole's Treader. He also kept Grampa in the loop by letting him inspect the work as he progressed. He can be such a character. But . . . for some odd reason he got hold of his Mom's phone Saturday night and decided to all at 10:15! Needless to say he was chastised by Mom and Mémé. When he called last night, not late, he told me he had gotten permission. He's learning. We also spent two hours Friday at the Trampoline Place in Wauregan. He had a blast. I was impressed how one instructor can keep and eye on about 16 kids. He is quite a disciplinarian. If a kid doesn't behave he has to sit down and watch. He also only tells a kid how to do something once. If the kid doesn't listen he gets an ear full. Unusual to see someone who runs a business take the time to stress rules and not be concerned with parents being upset about his reprimands. Good on him.

Quote: Gratuitous violence in argument betrays a conscious weakness of the cause, and is usually a signal of despair. ___Junius

A visitor . . .

Note the scattered petals.

See the wound.

Such disrespect.

Yesterday afternoon I was rounding the garage flowers and swing and lo and behold there was a parked white Plainfield police car. The officer was cautiously walking up to the open garage door. I said a hearty "Hello?" and he began to ask me some questions. "Is this your Hyundai?" "Yes, sir." "Did you just drive in?" "Yes, Sir." " Did you push an emergency button?" "No sir, I don't think I have one." "Well you should call dispatch and find out who called them and told them that there was an emergency call for a black Hyundai at 59 Old Plainfield Rd." "Sir, this is 51 Plainfield Rd. Old Plainfield Rd. is right next to the police station. Perhaps some one else is having an emergency." "Just a minute." He talked into his phone. "Another police officer is at that address. The lady accidentally pushed the button." And he was on his way out of the yard. I called the Hyundai dealership in Plainfield and they agreed that I don't have that option on my vehicle. They thought I was the one who had pushed the wrong button! Pretty crazy stuff.

Just a small add on about my pet doe. She tried to eat the two sunflower blossoms. Took a bite of each and spit them out. She is bold.

Quote: It is a profound mistake to think that everything has been discovered; as well think the horizon the boundary of the world. ___Lemierre

Almost doesn't count . . .

Before doe - the one morning of Morning Glory

Painted the porch ceiling Monday and the trim pieces. Came out really nice, not smooth, mind you, since I covered over ancient paint, but clean and neat. Tuesday I completed all of the gray banisters, posts, carrying beams and trim. Only one almost super major incident. I was standing on a sturdy, low, wide step painting ladder which my neighboring cousin sent to me by means of her odd job boy and the paint can was on my regular ladder. I was almost finished, just the end beam near the kitchen when I decided to move the ladder holding the paint by just pulling it toward me. Upset the paint bucket. Paint went flowing down and splattered the siding under the window plus about a quart, seemed like much more, got caught in my plastic covering which I had put down in case I made any mess! I managed to get some old towels and quickly mopped up the siding then got my trusty green rescue pad and a big bucket of water to scrub the siding when Puppy's Pop came home and caught me in the act! I asked him to get the hose set up for me which he did faster than fast. The rest is history. Thank goodness for water based paint. (The window was open when I caused the big splash. Thank God for big favors. Somehow all of the mess remained below the window.) Yesterday Puppy's Pop roller painted the floor and trim. Looks good. The damn bugs are still messing around but we'll put the glider, chairs and flowers back this evening or tomorrow. Didn't expect the job to take all week. Slowing up.

In the meanwhile the crazy doe ate the first Morning Glories I've ever been lucky enough to grow. They had just bloomed for the first time and now the leaves are gone. But we shall have Swiss Chard for supper tonight. A small blessing to be sure.

Went to see Ice Age: Continental Drift this morning in 3D. I needed some distraction. It's hot, muggy and grouchy. It was okay. The best part is Scrat. The scenes at the beginning of the movie when the continents form are very well done. But I do wish we could go see a movie that's whimsical and not preachy.

Quote: It is a little stream which flows softly, but it freshens everything along its course. ___Mad. Swetchine

Plainfield Pride Day offers affordable family fun

Plainfield Pride Day offers affordable family fun  I think this link will work.

The return of the bat and a super treat . . .

Got all my work done yesterday and I talked Puppy's Pop into a trip to Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm where I had a cone of Maple Bacon ice cream. C'était délicieux. Perhaps today or tomorrow I'll try to talk my way into another trip for a cone of Sweet Corn. While Puppy's Pop was at horseshoes in Coventry, RI last evening I made my rounds of the property and again seeing what looked like mouse droppings above the doors to the Hot Rod part of the garage I looked up and thought I could see some beady eyes or a butt of some sort. The camera has proved that we have our very own little bat. I hope I didn't scare him off. That's pretty neat. Years ago we had some bats hanging down in the same place and Puppy's Pop put up a couple of boards to make a bat hang out (pun intended.) The little buggers never came back until now. I wonder if it is the grand bat of one of the original bats and it found our place because it had been imprinted in it's DNA. Cool thought.

We will not be going to the Podunk Bluegrass Festival at Dodd Stadium. Too much money and lots of conflicts. Grampa is readying the Hot Rod for the Plainfield Pride get together at the Town Hall tomorrow. It was great fun last year and I expect it to be bigger and better. Best of all there is no charge unless you want to buy something from the local businesses who will be set up all over the place. I will try to link to the Bulletin site but they are a pain in the neck and want to charge subscribers for stuff. Sunday we will be going to Lee, MA for a control line contest. Will finish up now because Grampa is off to get some coffees and muffins from Baker's Dozen. Then I will fetch our Kiddo. Haven't seen him all week. He's enjoying the summer Rec Program.

Quote: Knowledge and timber should not be much used until they are seasoned. ___O. W. Holmes

Not bad at all . . .

Pretty good experience at the brand spanking new Backus Emergency Room and Lab on Route 12 in Plainfield. I needed some blood work and x-rays so I left home at about 8:40 am and just got back at 9:20 am. No appointment necessary for blood work and x-rays. They also do all of the diagnostic imaging imaginable. One of the techs told me they've been busy since they opened their doors July 9th. Cool beansies. Hard to believe that the whole experience only took 40 minutes of my day!

Very muggy today. Think I'll do some exterior house washing and get the menu set for our Sunday of Labor Day Horseshoe Tournament. Then I'll just have the telephone calls to make to brothers and sisters. Should be a good day.

Quote: No author ever drew a character consistent to human nature, but he was forced to ascribe to it many inconsistencies. ___Bulwer

Well that was fun . . .

Photos are self explanatory!

It only took me two days but I finally scraped the old loose paint off of the porch ceiling. Puppy's Pop helped me to TSP the whole porch and now I just have to buy the paint and paint! Yippee! I surprised myself. We had a guy come to look at doing the job for us on Father's Day! He said he would call us during the week to give us an estimate. Also said we should get two gallons for the ceiling and five gallons for the porch. It's cheaper by the five gallon, says he. I got tired of waiting for his call so I just buckled down and did it myself. We'll buy some good exterior paint in a day or so. I want it to dry really well before I tackle the paint. I also moved the clematis vine from the spruce near the wall to my garage flowers. Hope it takes. The cleomes kid brother gave me are beautiful. His wife gave me some morning glory seeds last year and I finally planted them, late to be sure, but they are climbing on the mimosa. No blooms yet but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Also managed to get some really nice roller shades for the two bedrooms. Moving on up!

The adventurous doe has been at the garden again. She has eaten most of the tender, new cucumber leaves. The cucumbers this year are superior and the tomatoes and squash are doing well. She got a fright a couple of nights ago. I put the outside yard light on at around nine just to see if she would be in the garden. And, what do you know. She was. Puppy's Pop shot off a bottle rocket and it landed right in front of her when it exploded. She took off like a doe out of hell. He shot off another rocket for good measure. He also shot one off last night. So far so good!

Quote: Half the truth will very often amount to absolute falsehood. ___Whately