And he is still a marvel . . .

I received a message from a good friend who has had awful luck trying to get her riding lawn mower working. A few people had tried to take it apart and put in new parts and still nothing would work. In desperation she asked if P&D's Pop could look at it. So . . . this morning we went to her home while she was at work and there was an incredible sight: riding mower in pieces; it literally looked like a basket case; actually was a basket case. In about two hours P&D's Pop got it working. I helped by trying the starter and stepping on the clutch as often as necessary but he's just so persistent in figuring out what's wrong with things and then fixing the mess. I'm sure our friend is grateful. She has a big yard and too many people who know little to nothing about engines. Now she's back in business. That's a big YAY!

We stopped for lunch at the Roadside and as we were leaving one on the owners gave us a super loaf of bread right out of the oven to take home with us. It smells so good in the kitchen. Now would be the time for someone to want to look around and see if they'd like to buy! I spent a good part of yesterday dusting etc. I figure someone will want to see it when we're completely not ready. Not too much action on the property; that's for sure.

Have to pick Kiddo up late today as he has gone to a baseball game with Groton Rec. He'll be pretty revved up by 4 of the clock!

Yikes, I'm slipping big time. I forgot to post this earlier today! Grampa and Kiddo are already asleep. Both were exhausted. Grampa had a very busy day fixing the mower; mowing the flying field and bringing Kiddo to the field tonight to fly the new electric RC plane. They did well together. I like that! I thought Kiddo was going to fall asleep in the car - being out all day;  going to a college baseball game; watering the garden for me and being nervous while flying the new plane will do that to a guy.

And off to Oakland Beach we went . . .

Bright as the day

It is such a perfect day that after a nice breakfast and chat with the cook at Lizzy B's we went to the flying field in Brooklyn where P&D's Pop flew and I walked. Decided to go for a nice ride to Oakland Beach and have lunch at the Top of the Bay. Decidedly a bad idea on a gorgeous Friday with school out and every one who lives in RI lined up at Iggy's or Top of the Bay. We hardly managed to drive through their parking lot! It was wicked full. So we took the leisurely ride back to Connecticut on 101 and ended up at The 99. So for $27 we ended had a superior Margarita pour moi, a Bud draft for Grampa, Fish and Chips and a BLT Fish Sandwich pour moi. More than satisfactory - nice day. A cousin stopped by as I was out on the garage swing to ask where the heck we were going. The For Sale sign intrigued him. He said he was going to pass the information on to one of his sisters. Might be interesting to see if this old house stays in the family in some way. I would not be averse to that prospect. On a slightly different note we found out that one of my cousin's sons is building the beautiful wall at the new digs for Jewett City Savings Bank and when he's not working as a stonemason he lives and fishes in Alaska.  That is extremely cool.  He must only be about 30 years old. Go young man!

I've already closed the windows for the night. It's supposed to go into the 40's. This climate change has got to stop. Pretty soon we won't have to put in the air conditioners. By the way our gas bill this month was $38. No complaints whatsoever.  Tomorrow we will head out to Wrentham so Grampa can give a couple of planes to a friend.  That should be a nice trip.

Quote:  Talent, lying in the understanding, is often inherited; genius, being the action of reason and imagination, rarely or never.   ___Coleridge

Middle child's birthday . . .

Back to York, England.  Taken in 2010

Haven't written in a few weeks.  We've made a big decision - our property is for sale. We hope to move to Louisiana sooner rather than later but as I was driving to East Granby yesterday it dawned on me just how many homes are up for sale. Ye gads! It's outrageous. Half of the population is getting out. So I doubt we'll be leaving any time soon. P&D's Pop has done a tremendous amount of work cleaning out all the 'stuff'' we don't need. He's made at least four trips to the dump and we still have 'stuff.' I've been trying to organize the upstairs. Yikes, we still have things that were here when we bought this old house in 1969. Younger brother stopped in a couple of days ago and picked up two smallish boxes of photos and letters that belong to the Carons. Pretty interesting odds and ends. The truth of the matter is that now that the selling process has begun I would like it to happen quickly but I have a sinking feeling that it will drag out forever. Que sera, sera. I'm really excited about  moving to a new place and P&D's Pop is so ready it is palpable but we can't afford to give the property away so we'll just have to let the realtor do his job. I'm trying hard to take everything in stride but that's not my usual MO.  I'm always full speed ahead.

It's a rainy, muggy day and Grampa is at the flying field working to repair the club mower. It's pretty tight quarters but the club has a small shed to hold the mowers with a few extra feet to spare so at least he'll be dry as he works. I'm so far behind on the reading that I may just sit and veg the day away. And, bien sur, we shall call Middle Child and wish her a Happy Birthday. Kids grow up much too fast.

Quote:  Some men can never state an ordinary fact in ordinary terms.  -All their geese are swans, till you see the birds.  ___J. B. Owen