Now this was a cool day . . .

Our only poppy. C'est triste.

Woke up to beautiful, dry, clear blue skies and abundant sunshine. Now, let me tell you what was cool about today. After over two hours in the dentist's chair I am now sporting a temporary bridge and have all of my teeth. It may not seems like much but it is terrific. I can chew away and it feels just perfect. Then as I was working in the garden the boy from next door came to borrow two eggs. It feels so good to live a bit like in the old days when MaTante Blanche would need some milk, eggs, flour or what have you and we would oblige just as she always helped us when we needed "qu'que chose." It makes me feel warm and comfortable in this old homestead. But I've got to tell you something; a pigeon is not just any bird. It fouls whatever it lands on and it lands on the roof of the house and the porch. It's terrible. One visited a few days ago. Then we had two. Then four and now we have six who have tried to alight at the feeders. I have taken to hating them. They are dirty birds. I hope we can scare them away easily by banging on the window or I may have to beg Puppy's Pop to sit outside and wave a towel at them!

Quote: Choose an author as you choose a friend. __Roscommon

There is no Happy in Memorial Day . . .

I was taken aback as I returned from buying our Memorial Day flowers for the cemetery when I saw the sign at the Wauregan VFW wishing drivers a "Happy Memorial Day." I felt as if I had been punched in the stomach. Where is there any "Happy" in the remembrance of dead soldiers who fought for our country? I must be getting maudlin in my dotage but it bothers me that our society seems to find a party in everything.

Quote: Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable. ___Daniel Webster

Phew . . .

Starting the photos from our English sojourns. Youngest's home when we went to her graduation from the University of York. This is in Darlington. They no longer live here.

It is 72 outside but near 100% humidity with the sun trying to peek out rarely. Always complaining about the weather! I like dry and sunny with enough rain for the plants and animals but have no idea if this perfection exists on God's Earth. I think He's trying my patience and I'm not passing the tests. Puppy's Pop is flying at the Sterling School and I had no inkling to walk so I just vacuumed and did a touch up dusting. Now I'm ready to sit back and as is usual try to get caught up on my daytime reading. Starting June 20 I'll be getting my National Review on line and have access to their archives and their on line bloggers. Should be fun. I'm really starting to like reading on the iPad because I can change the size of the print to suit my vision. Neat! Had a late afternoon email from Oneco friends and we went to their so beautifully landscaped home and enjoyed conversation, wine and crackers on the patio before heading to Cranston and the Hong Kong Buffet. I was a bit reticent about a Chinese buffet but it was really great and at $12.95 a person a very good deal.

Just took a 40 minute break. Youngest child called and gave us an update on their goings on. Hoping to see them here in Moosup next year! That will be so great. It's been exactly one year since we were in England so it'll be a long stretch before we see her again. They are very busy with their jobs and that's a good thing. Time to get ready for Mass.

Quote: Of the whole sum of human life no small part is that which consists of a man's relations to his country, and his feelings concerning it. __Gladstone

The Fox Family has arrived . . .

Visiting Perry at noon today while he was trying to eat lunch!

Yay ! ! !

And we have lift off! The garden is all planted: early girls, better boys, marketmores, straight necks, Yukon golds, bush beans, Swiss chard, jack o'lanterns, fancy gourds, nasturtiums, puff ball zinnias, medium zinnias, double zinnias, short fat sunflowers. Yesterday we had the best day so far for 2011 and I took full advantage of the gorgeous sunny, cloudless deep blue skies. Puppy's Pop got the yard looking stunningly green and weed free! The purple flocks have filled the wooded area behind the garage, the lilacs are past their prime as well as the forsythia but the bridal wreath is the most voluptuous it has ever been. It's no wonder the birds flock here. We even had four colorful pigeons. I do hope they don't bring any friends because they are big birds which means big messes. Even the foxes have taken a liking to our cottage homestead. The turkey hasn't been back lately. Perhaps she was dinner for the foxes. How the world does keep turning and what an infinitesimal yet exciting part we play.

Quote: One must be poor to know the luxury of giving. __George Eliot

Walking lunch . . .

Just returned from the Yankee Flyers' Field where Puppy's Pop flew and I walked my two miles on Lake Road where I inhaled lunch as I stepped lively by Automatic Rolls of New England (ie rolls for McD's.) Good way to spend part of the day. It didn't even rain but it is hot and muggy at 76 degrees. After the fox siting this morning we went for coffee and to Agway for the seeds and plants I needed if I can ever get into the garden. We had a message from Richard's Service Center and the Dodge Ram was ready with a new clutch and whatever else it needed so we went to pick it up. Met the soon to be new owner of the garage, Richard, and was quite impressed. I'm certain we've found a good place to have our cars taken care of. The closing should be in a couple of weeks. That would be terrific. Richoni's is sporting a newly oiled and painted parking lot and the lower lot has a huge load of pink stones laid over it. The wooden fence is nice and bright with all kinds of beer and whiskey signs. Place is looking good. Richard with the chef's hat gave me a monster ham grinder, chips and pickles to bring home for lunch so I won't make much of an attempt at supper tonight. While I was at Richoni's Grampa went to his kid brother's home to pick up the roto-tiller and as I write he is out working it through the garden. So we're getting a lot done today before the next rains fall. Spent a good day yesterday with my youger sister. We went out to our usual lunch at Mr. G's in East Granby and then up Route 20 into Granville, MA for our home made ice cream at the farm. It rained all day but we enjoyed our time together. Bought gas for $3.85 and thought it was a bargain. How sick is that? Also stopped for some dark chocolate at Munson's on the way home. That was a bit of a bummer because this is the second time I stop to get dark chocolate covered ginger and they don't have any. I put in a complaint but it seems they'll only be making it for the Christmas season. I may have to start a petition through the state legislature to get my ginger chocolate covered earlier than that. Since the legislature in Connecticut is useless we might as well give them useless tasks to perform!

Quote: What is human sin but the abuse of human appetites, of human passions, of human faculties, in themselves all innocent? ___R.D. Hitchcock

The Fox family

Grampa took these early this morning before I was awake! Can't believe that this whole family came right to the house!