Where are your children?

Do you know where your children are?  Apparently, we do not. 

Except for Margaret.  She and Andrew and Simon just spent a glorious two weeks here, glorious for us anyway.  More on their visit later. 

But, as you can see from the photo, Annie clearly did not get her father's permission to go cliff hiking or canyon climbing or whatever.  And I thought Simon was "Johnny Danger."  She and Sankar were in Kanab, Utah on their one-week, different-city trek across the country, after spending a week in Santa Fe.  I reluctantly add that it sure looks fantastic, the scenery and the two adventurers. This work from home and air bnb stuff seems to be working for them.  And they have figured out how to do all this with a motorcycle and two cats.  Cover your ears Grandma when I say motorcycle.

Meanwhile, down in Brazil, Leonor is playing nurse for baby John who contracted some form of foot and mouth disease.  Looks painful for both parties. Joe is missing out on that fun, as he traveled for work and then went to an old colonial city called Ouro Preto in the state of Minas Gerais.  Anyone ever heard of those?  No?  Joe said Ouro Preto was once larger than New York City. 

 
It hasn't been a good summer for pets, particularly in Dundee and Washington DC.   Jeff and Melodie had to put down Codger, their long-time cat, as they join Andrew and Lur who lost both their dog and cat this summer.  I did see a whole bunch of Facebook posts for a day I never knew existed – national dog day.  What planet have I been living on?  So, here's to Brigitte and Molly and Hopper.  (Match the dog with their owner.)  Anyone else out there?

In the category "I wish we knew more," I see that Tina has a new job and congratulations are in order.  Hmm.  I have questions.  WHAT IS THE NEW JOB?  And second or third hand, I hear that Sean and Erin have moved, close to Baltimore.  More questions.  IS THERE A NEW JOB AS WELL?  What's the attraction  in Baltimore?  It can't be the longest losing streak in major league baseball this year?

You won't have any questions about the past two weeks here.  Margaret and Andrew came up here to work from home and enjoy the "cool" Berkshires.  This time they flew. That meant Mary and I helped out on the day care for Simon, but both parents were always in ear or eye-shot in case we (me) muffed up.  So, what's this little boy up to now?  He's walking a lot, those toddler walks with both arms up for balance. He has a few words, that parents understand, like more and again, and uh-oh.  Our morning trips to the end of the driveway to pick up the paper gave me another word, a version of "paper."  He likes cows and blueberry picking, big trucks and boats, eating while standing up, and grocery stores.  He sure made us laugh a lot. and had all four adults trying to figure out what he wanted on a few occasions.  Andrew and Margaret got short breaks for a few evenings out, golf, bird-watching, swimming, kayaking and museums. 

 
It's a lot to ask a small baby to change routine and environment, but we are thankful to have the opportunity to spend extended periods of time with all three!

Out in Dundee, Andrew and Lur are harvesting from their plot at a community garden near the hospital where Lur volunteers.  They missed the weather from Henri, but it looks like NJ got soaked, as did we.  None of the other dire forecasts for here panned out, fortunately. 

 
On the garden front here, we harvested enough beans for many meals with Margaret and Andrew, and the blueberries kept vanishing almost as soon as we picked them.  Lots of squash, and we are looking forward to four pumpkins.  I want to pick them right now but Mary is standing guard to save them.

Pumpkins means fall is in the air, and while we'll miss summer, it's nice to see the cooler temps and then the glorious foliage.

Love from up here.