Rain

I think I know how climate change will affect this part of the world.  Rain, and more rain.  The water over the dam at the lake is as loud as I can ever remember.  Our yard is swampy, and we even have had a little pond near our driveway.  The grass is green, and all the trees are healthy.  And we're still getting cucumbers.  

Anyway, I wanted to get a letter in before the big weekend, before Sean and Erin's big weekend.  Or is it Erin and Sean?  Then, we'll have enough material for another letter next week.  Looking forward to the big day, to seeing everyone again and to joining in Erin and Sean's happiness.  

This will be our third straight weekend of travel.  Two weeks ago we headed to Washington DC with Pittsfield friends, one of whom had never been there.  We arm-twisted Margaret, Joseph and Jeffrey into giving us tours of their respective government buildings.  I know they get used to it, but, seen with fresh eyes, they work in spectacular buildings, rich in history and, yes, even aesthetically pleasing.  I can only imagine what a foreigner must feel entering any of these buildings for meetings.  Thanks to each of them for their tours.  

We stayed downtown after joining a "consular club" that would admit us; they have a small guest quarters with reasonably good rates.  We spent another day doing Smithsonian stuff and eating food that was too good and too costly.  Fortunately, Andrew and Margaret invited us over for dinner one night, so we were able to eat more healthy and save a little cash at the same time.  Thank you. 

Did I mention Thomas?  Yes, we saw him, as Mary managed to "bump" into Leonor and Thomas as they were coming out of day care downtown.  He's more and more a boy, not a baby.  

This past weekend, we blew even more dough by going to New York City for the wedding of a college classmate, who was getting married for the first time.  These bankers know how to throw a party; I felt a little like Eddie Murphy in "Trading Places" as I entered their club for drinks.  Anyway, it was fun getting together with about a dozen classmates, most of whom were members of the soccer team.  And best of all, Mary seeemd to be enjoying herself.

David and Paula have also had busy weeks.  David attended the New York State Fair, where he ran a Shaker oval box woodworking demonstration for a few days.  His civic project, of building affordable housing units for seniors in Fairport, has also taken up a lot of his time.  They are still unpacking from their move, and find themselves in need of more bookcases.  Paula has helped out with some babysitting duties for Everett, who David says is the calmest, happiest baby in the world.  

Andrew reports that he has played his first round of golf in years, and did pretty well.  Good news, on both counts.  Daniel has been coming home on off days.  

One good piece of news as we approach this weekend's wedding is that I may be able to hear people.  Yes, I broke down and got hearing aids.  Very fashionable ones too.  Thank you to John Boyle for a tip that saved me roughly $1300 in the purchase.  They're pretty incredible pieces of technology, and I'll be happy to bore anyone with all the details if the conversation slows.

It's getting cold around here; we've had the heat on a few nights.  I've been chopping wood for our winter fires, and we're easing into other end of summer chores, but not too quickly, holding out hope for some return to warm.  The good news about the change of seasons is mowing the lawn may be coming to an end, sometime soon.

Happy birthday to Johanna!  and to Paula!  and to Auden!  

I close with a picture from Provincetown, on my first time ever to the Cape, to watch Mary swim across the bay.  We went out for a bike ride the day before along the national seashore, a quiet counterpart to the fun in the center of town.

Love from up here.  See you all this weekend!