Hell of a chase sequence . . .

Old wall paper that was covered up by the homemade blackboard in the basement. Has to be at least 100 years old.

The rather large marmalade cat from next door sneaking across the lawn preparing  her attack on the little squirrel under the bird feeders decided to pounce. My word, what a ruckus! That squirrel took off and made a bee line to the tree near the wall and just about beat the cat who, I think managed to get some squirrel tail hairs in its claws. Would have been a great video but as usual I'm never fast enough for the goings on in the yard. Speaking of goings on, Puppies and Dante's Pop saw two does strolling across the yard near the wall past the garden. I went to check on the two Rose of Sharon bushes and I think they only nibbled a few tender shoots from one of them. Hells bells. I guess I'll invest in some spray at Agway that's supposed to keep them away from gardens and shrubbery. Hate to have to spray anything but I'm going to be ticked off if they invade my garden domain. Everything in the garden has popped as of this morning. We had a nice light rain overnight and it's still drizzling. Cousin Sandra's tomatoes are standing up nice and strong even the little Juliets which were undersized. All of the seeds have sprouted too: Market Moore cucumbers, crooked neck squash, fancy gourds, Swiss Chard, pumpkins, short puffy sun flowers and Zinnias. The hot humid weather of the past week has really helped the garden. The lawn is as lush as I've ever seen it.

Kiddo's Solar system project was well received by his third grade class mates and teacher. He was supposed to speak extemporaneously for three minutes, giving at least two facts per planet but he went on for ten minutes without realizing it! He was quite proud of himself. His Saturday morning reading to me consisted of more facts about the latest dwarf planets. We shall surely miss our Kiddo as he outgrows us. He'll be nine in August. He's a pretty even tempered character. His brother graduates from Grasso Tech on June 28 and has a full time job at Cardinal Honda. Pretty good start for an 18 year old.

Spoke with cousin Ruth Saturday and we reminisced, especially remembering old Mr. Dore's garden across Bell Avenue and his beautiful flowers. She was recalling the smells of the cobbler's shop with its leather and polish. They were preparing to go to a grandchild's graduation. Also had a neat visitor and his son yesterday right after supper time. Albert and his 14 year old son Noah stopped in for about an hour. It was déjà vu as they walked in the no longer existent path to our house from the no longer existent house of Uncle Curly and Matante Blanche. He recollected the barn that was a part of our property many years ago and that what we call the milk room was in his parlance the honey room where the Carons extracted the honey from their 15 hives that we're located on the hill behind the shed. He also remembered a wood box that would have been to the left as you walked into the kitchen. It felt so good to speak with him. He and his son live in a small town in Maine high up on a hill overlooking a lake. They have chickens, two miniature horses a cat and dog; sounds idyllic. Noah earns money scooping wild blueberries in late July and early August. Albert was visiting because he had just returned from his 66th PHS class reunion. There were 31 people who showed up at the Laurel House. That's fantastic. Most of his children live close by him in Maine and Betty lives in a new home built for her by one of their daughter's in her back yard. That's such a pretty picture. I hear from Betty at Christmas and she always sounds in good spirits. I missed seeing her a few years ago when she was staying with friends in Pomfret for a few days.  Albert said he had a picture of Ma with her motorcycle!  I asked him to try to find it and send me a copy. I knew that Ma rode with Chinny (Laurent) D. but I didn't know that she had a motorcycle.  I'm betting that she was wearing her knickers for riding and standing next to Chinny's bike for the photo op!

Quote:  Look not mournfully to the past -- it comes not back again; wisely improve the present -- it is thine; go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear, and with a manly heart.   ___Longfellow