Peak season

Peak season for ...... birthdays!  Happy birthday Paula, Johanna, Tina and Janet.  And now Auden who turned 1 on October 2. I read an article recently about the advantages of fall babies.  Based on our small sample, you all made the best of whatever those advantages might have been.

It's also peak season for fall foliage up here.  Some glorious days, especially for hikes, but not yesterday.  It was pouring rain, but that didn't stop me from a climb in Pittsfield State Forest yesterday.  Soaking wet and when I passed a young man he asked if I was crazy.  At least I had on a poncho.

It's also peak season for wood chopping, getting ready for fires this winter  Fortunately, we've had some major limbs fall down, giving us enough firewood for the cold, snowy days.  Not a bad workout either.  Who needs a gym?

And, it's peak season for baseball.  Not much going the way I would like so far; we heard of a marathon viewing party at Jeffrey and Melodie's for the Nats game that went 18 innings.  And the pitcher who lost the crucial game a couple of years ago, lost it again in the 9th inning last night.  Sorry guys. 

OK.  Enough of peak seasons.  Mary had a reunion of sorts here last weekend, bringing together a group of friends from her community college days, including her maid of honor Marj.  They had come to celebrate the life of a friend who had passed away in June.  Lots of singing and reminiscing, and of course good food and drink.  Marj was here through the week with her mother and sister.

We heard from David who had a big meeting in New York City where he had to make a presentation on insurance fraud.  He talked about staying downtown, and some wonderful meals in Little Italy.  Paula couldn't join him; seems that Donald has started smiling.  David said that Matthew and Tina were closing on their new house.  Lots of changes in that household, good ones.

Peter had big news of winning a major case he had been working on for some time involving a stalled real estate development project in Hoboken.  He's arguing a case this week at the NJ Supreme Court on eminent domain again, and you can watch it live on Tuesday at 10am; here's the site - http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/webcast/index.htm.  He promises the discussion will be "lively."

We spoke with Joe and Margaret and they are still settling in from their recent moves.  Joe also told us he saw the recent episode of the intruder at the White House, and I was glad when he said it wasn't a friend of his.

We also heard from John and Marilyn who had just returned from Peru for a vacation to Lima, Cuzco and Macchu Picchu.  They were on a group tour that kept them very busy.  

Other than that, I've finished three of my six classes in my teaching at the lifelong learning institute.  Seems to be going well as they've asked me to think of doing another class next year.  Not sure, what a lot of work.  Mary has started tutoring at a second school, so her days are filling up.  The garden continues to wind down, as we've seen the last of the tomatoes.  Still a few squash and lots of potatoes and carrots to come.  A new I-phone for John; we attended the Arthur Miller play "Enemy of the People," with too many books on our reading lists.  

That about rounds it out.  Looking forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks in Washington for Margaret and Andrew's party.

Love from up here. 

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