10 best

Pop's weekly letters had a regular feature, beyond stories of Spag's and haircuts and the dump.  He would regularly mention that they were enjoying one of the 10 best days of the year.  I am not sure how he kept track, if he marked them on the calendar or not, or if had a criteria-based system giving points for weather (temperature, sun, foliage colors, breeze, humidity, sunrise and sunset, dewpoints) or for activities or get-togethers with family and friends or lottery jackpots.  I suspect it was a decision of the gut.

What made me think of this is we are coming off of three of the ten best days here, and my criteria is mostly weather based, but also foliage.  We are at the very peak of the season, a little late due to warm weather.  The colors are tremendous, and seem to surpass last year.  I suspect the same was true for everyone here, from Chicago to DC from Rochester to NYC.  (Do I sound like the Shirelles singing "Dancing in the Streets"?)  How about Florida?  Hope your long weekend was spectacular.    

Last letter mentioned all the birthdays, except for Janet's (today) or Auden, who turned two and whose picture is included here.  Who do you think liked her birthday more?  I think it was equal.

It was a big weekend up here too, that included the world premiere of the movie I have been working on.  Unfortunately, when we turned it on Saturday night to watch, the tv station messed up something and the quality made viewing impossible.  They have since fixed it, but with the nice write-up in the Berkshire Eagle, anyone trying to watch probably got discouraged.  Not us though, we had a dvd and watched it with a group of friends here.  I will try to upload it on to YouTube so you all can sit through the 84 minutes and see what the all the commotion is about.  Not really, but it was a long haul and I'm glad it's finished.

Other activities from my stupid crazy summer are coming to close as well.  Today was my last day at Arrowhead and this week I will finish with the last of the Fulbright applications as the deadline is tomorrow.

It looks like others have been busy as well.  Johanna was off in Paris, and from her postings it sounded like she was staying at the Ritz with all the famous people she was running into.  Nous aussi aimons Paris.  John and Marilyn were off to a different French city, New Orleans and posted photos of cafe and beignets.  Nour aussi aimons les beignets.  We heard that Andrew and Daniel were off to Michigan this weekend to look at colleges.  Margaret and Andrew had a non-French weekend up in Lancaster, and Joe welcomed back Leonore who had stayed on in Portugal for a few weeks with her family and friends after their trip in September.

The garden is producing only a little, but we have yet to dig up the potatoes.  The last of the cherry tomatoes are coming in, and we have pulled up other veggies and many weeds, getting ready for next spring.  

Lots of baseball watching around here, and some great series.  We are here rooting for the Royals and Blue Jays, Mets and Cubs.  Not sure, though, who Mary is rooting for.  Michael Phelps, I believe.

Here's to a happy, full and enjoyable fall.  Love from up here.  

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