On this first day of fall, it does feel like the middle of summer. At least for the past week or so, since we had the heat on in the house earlier in the month. High temps, barbecues, swimming, mowing the lawn, gardening.
Speaking of the garden, it's been a banner year for cucumbers. Each time I go out, it seems I bring back another 5 cukes, and say this is the end of it. Until I go out the next day, and sure enough, five more. We're in the middle of tomatoes and and at the tail end of green beans. We haven't even really made a dent in the beets, which just keep getting bigger and bigger. Not so good this year: I tried brussel sprouts but got nothing, and once again my bad luck with green peppers holds as I will never try them again. Oh well.
But, you say, who cares about your garden? Especially when there's so much more family news to report. Like Tina and Matthew's cruise adventure, into the eye of the hurricane. I gather there were some unscheduled stops and off-the-grid moments along the way, and the Facebook photos seem that Donald didn't mind. John and Marilyn waited out the storm at home, on the eastern coast of Florida, and lucked out. John took a picture of a leaf on his front porch and was wondering when FEMA was going to come by to clean it up. Sounds like the Deans (Aunt Georgia, Rell, Sarah and Hope) had a bit more dramatic time closer to Miami. Meanwhile in Houston, we see the affects of the hurricane on Dickson cousins there. As long as we're on the disaster theme, we heard from friends in Mexico City and beyond that they had pulled through the earthquake with minor damage to homes but after a few very scary moments. Annie was also on the periphery of the storm, as she headed to Charleston SC for a friend's wedding, but I think the only impact may have been a delayed flight. She, by the way, is really enjoying her new home in the Bay area.
Mary is back to work, this time at the local high school, two days a week. It looks like she will have a whole new book of stories from the high school experience. Worth a phone call. Her schedule cramps our travel plans, but only a little. She's off to DC tomorrow to check in the smiling, cooing, growing Thomas. This past Sunday, he sat with Joe through the entire Patriots game. I can't say for sure if he watched any of the game, but the few times we have seen him on FaceTime, his eyes are keenly following his mother and father. That's a definite step up from his earlier fixation with the ceiling fan.
David and Paula celebrated their first anniversary in their new home, and this year were able to take part in the annual block party in their new neighborhood. Peter went to his first Princeton football game, where he saw Sean's girlfriend Erin, working the sidelines as part of her residency, tending to a torn ACL and a broken metacarpal. Translation?? Anyway, I hope Thomas is listening because this is not the sport for him.
Margaret has plans to visit Haiti and Dominican Republic for work later in the fall, and Andrew is back at his studies, as well as probably up to his neck right now in health care legislation. And Daniel seems to be thriving in his new school. The photo below is of him and his roommates, all gymnasts.
I found out a good way to lose weight. Hike the Appalachian Trail. For several years I had wanted to hike the Mass portion of the trail, and this year arranged with another wanna be hiker from Pittsfield who just retired to embark on this adventure. We did this section in day hikes, over the past two months, with two overnights. I can say this - it is hard. That about sums it up. But, I lost ten pounds over the course of the period, and have managed not to gain it all back since I finished.
We started work on finishing our basement, so we have another room for guests. With a half-bath. So you're all welcome.
Birthday wishes to Auden and to Paula!! Anyone else? I'm sure I'm missing someone. (sorry)
Love from up here.
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