It has come and gone . . .

The tropical storm didn't damage the property but we have been without power since 8:40am Sunday. It's fine for a while but it's getting to be a pain especially when you have guests and not much is functioning anywhere in North Eastern Connecticut! We've eaten breakfast at Zip's Diner because the four corners at 101 and Rte 12 have power but I don't dare buy any food because what little we have left is packed in ice. We can go to middle child's for ice, baths, washings and lunches at Richoni's if necessary. The best part of this mess is a gorgeous night sky and the weather is clear, dry and beautiful.

Quote: Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society. ___Thackeray

Mystic Drawbridge . . . neato . . .

Had to run an errand for middle child which meant going into downtown Mystic during the tourist season! But Kiddo and I with the brand spanking new Garmin made it beautifully and found a super parking place. We had to go to Scuttlebutt and drop off five of his gym shirts to be monogrammed with the Sacred Heart logo. ( New rules for 2011! Ouch!) As I was speaking with the proprietor we heard a whistle and looked out the back door. Lo and behold the draw bridge was starting to go up so Kiddo was out the door in a flash and had the grandest view possible of all the proceedings. The shop is located right on the public park so we stayed on the pier and watched many tall masted sailboats come through along with some fishing vessels going out to sea. We took a walk on the bridge after the excitement. It was impressive. Watched a family with three little ones fishing from the park pier. They had oodles of bites but couldn't bring the fish in. Kiddo got a charge out of that. There is a nice enclosed playground nearby surrounded by beautiful old homes and we spent some time swinging and climbing before heading back to lunch and Beyblades.

Our cottage (yes, cottage, that way we don't have to keep putting money into its upkeep!) is ready for company but not for Eiréné. What a horrid name for a hurricane, Peace. Now what on earth is peaceful about a hurricane? Perhaps the eye? Foolish hurricane namers. I hate all of the hype. Just let nature do its job and then leave us in eiréné. Ye gads! This is annoying. Now Kiddo's birthday party has been rescheduled, again! Probably to the 18th of September! I'm glad his folks had a cake for him on August 13. He's getting a kick out all the attention and scattered cakes and presents. Will pick him up at 1pm today and go play miniature golf in Thompson just to give him a change of venue! I'm guessing we'll have to stop at Ra Ra's before we come home!

Quote: Wit should be used as a shield for defence rather than as a sword to wound others. ___Fuller

Three fantastic New England days in a row . . .

Will wonders never cease? Perhaps this weekend the wonders will cease but for now we've had great walking weather. Been getting up to temps in the 50's and only low 80's during the afternoon when the sun is directly hitting the thermometer. Early Fall is a good season but it won't last with my namesake making its way up the east coast. Bummer. I hope it doesn't mess up all the plans our family has for the weekend and next week.Carl M. hasn't set a date yet for the new porch roof so I hope we'll weather the storm if it does make it to north eastern Connecticut without flooding the bird food! May have to dig out some old wash basins. Went to Zip's this morning and stopped for the cheapest gas we've seen in CT. The Cumberland Farms on Route 12 between Danielson and Wauregan has regular at $3.65. Moosup Cumby's is $3.83. Puppy's Pop filled the Pontiac and some extra cans for the lawnmowers, Hot Rod, El Camino and Dodge Ram. Way too many vehicles around here. If they hold 100 gallons in all and we keep them filled, which is not the case, that's a scary number to pay for just driving for pleasure and groceries! Time to cool down before I go off to Groton.

Quote: He enjoys much who is thankful for little; a grateful mind is both a great and a happy mind. ___Secker

Double your pleasure; double your fun . . ,

Had two kiddos Friday and we all had a good time. I didn't know there was an eighteen hole miniature golf course at the Brooklyn Country Club on South Street until I bumped into Puppy's Pop's Aunt Alice at the Plainfield Pride Day. She was telling me about the great breakfasts at the Brooklyn Country Club Restaurant and mentioned the miniature golf. Everything about naming a golf course a Country Club in Brooklyn, CT ( 9 holes and a restaurant) is really putting on airs but it certainly was fun. The man in charge let the boys play a second round for $3.75. That was for the two of them! Now that's good deal. After golf we came back to RaRa's in Moosup where grandson and his cousin ate ice cream and played arcade games before we returned home to play Wii Sports. Next on the agenda was the two 7 year olds beating me up in Beyblades. Now I owe them another Friday outing! Woe is me!

Yesterday Grampa was flying at his Sterling Town Hall field when Oneco friends dropped by in one of their 'Vettes. They told him that their 8 year old grandson got his Junior Dragster license this week. Pretty neat! I guess he had to make 8 passes because he was way too fast for his age and bracket. They had to work at slowing him down! Great a capella singing at Mass this morning. As I was returning to my car I spoke with a young man who was having great difficulty walking with a cane. I asked what had happened. He's a nice kid I knew from subbing at the Middle School in Plainfield; handsome, dark, long straight hair in a pony tail, probably mid eastern family. All he told me was ,"Someone hurt me." He said he's getting better. It happened in December. He's a wiry, slightly built kid about 5'9". I can't believe that someone would do that here in Plainfield, CT but nastiness isn't confined to the cities.

Puppy's Pop has just returned from flying and invited me to lunch! Hip, hip! That means I don't have to worry about making supper!

Quote: My precept to all who build, is, that the owner should be an ornament to the house, and not the house to owner. ___Cicero

Part II

Crazy gourds!
Neat little bees at work!
I like this green gourd!
Almost a pumpkin!

How my garden does grow . . .

Two gourds and a cuke!
Too much pink!
More sunflowers!
Can't wait for the birds to come!
Funny gourds!

Time for blueberry pie . . .

Pretty miserable day so I thought a blueberry pie was in order. Haven't baked in a dog's age but it came out almost perfect. The crust was perfect but the filling could have been a bit sweeter although Puppy's Pop thought it was fine. I even made a little brown sugar baby which I devoured as soon as it cooled enough to eat! I miss having kids in the house! I used to bake quite a bit when it wasn't just the two of us. I'll probably have pie for lunch tomorrow!

We had a rainy VJ Day parade but it was still wonderful. So many military groups marching and many civic societies march, play musical instruments, dance, sing, clown around, ride bikes, drive old motor cars and fire engines! It's exhilarating especially in the rain! We adjourned to the old home for the pig roast and that was also a humdinger! I think there were at least 6 tents/canopies set up and umpteen picnic tables and chairs. The food was tremendous and the drinks were outrageous! We sat with some old neighbors from my kid days at that old house and kid brother, his wife and their friend from Norwich who likes to kid me about the Bishop of Norwich whom I dislike. Good times! Older brother and his wife came late and we had already returned home so they stopped in for a night cap! (Tea!) Their oldest son and his family are on their way to Singapore today. The whole family is moving there to live. That will be a long haul when it's time for visiting!

Quote: How beautiful is the rain! After the dust and heat, in the broad and fiery street, and in the narrow lane; how beautiful is the rain! ____Longfellow