July? Slow down, summer. But, speed up tomatoes and cucumbers. I guess I can't have everything. We're actually having our best crop of raspberries and cherries, although those are sour, not sweet. And the lettuce is doing spectacularly, which is why I want the tomatoes and cucumbers to catch up.
Our zoo of deer, groundhogs, rabbits and some other large critter (giant scat in the lawn) outside the garden has so far not discovered the good food inside. Can't say the same for the folks out in Illinois, who are resigned to the fact that the deer have to eat as well. Andrew and Lur this past week were up at Green Lake for their annual getaway. Their stay coincided with Ripon reunions, Andrew's 45th. They also spent a day with Claire who came over for the annual pontoon boat ride. She is moving to a new house in Sheboygan, closer to a lake.
Other big news of the week is Annie's home! At least on this side of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. She arrived a week ago and went straight to DC. She's been hanging out with the folks down there as well as her friends. We will get to see her this coming weekend when we all descend on a beachhouse in Bethany, Delaware for a week. A little pre-Poconos get-together, advance planning. Annie's planning on staying here through August. Yeah!
Speaking of the Poconos, we heard from Sooz that her mother (Janie) had a bad fall and has three fractures in her spine. Janie was in the hospital for quite a while and has now been transferred to a rehab facility where she will stay for about a month. They will not be able to join us in PA. I'll be sending out cabin assignments shortly. Hold your breaths!
Yesterday was Leonor's birthday, and she celebrated with a girls' night out on birthday eve, and then a pool party and cake with Andrew and Margaret and Simon, and I believe Jeff and Melodie were there as well. Too much fun. Thomas, John and Simon have been going to day camps, and coming home exhausted and rather dirty, we hear. That's a good sign. Luisa is continuing her day care, and unfortunately, John had another bout with strep.
Another birthday celebration, this time Marilyn's. She and John came up to New England for a little over a week, and we went down to Colleen and Laura's house in Hartford for her party. They have a houseful of dogs including three new puppies, all well behaved. The next day, they came up to Pittsfield for a memorial service for a cousin, Connell Boyle. Both events mean a lot of food, good food, and it's hard to control myself facing buffet lines. Connell was a vet so he had full military honors, along with a surprise gun salute.
We talked to David a few times. He had seen the new Shaker stamps, but didn't know that they were released right here in Pittsfield! We're famous. I went to Shaker Village for the unveiling of the stamp designs, and picked up some first day covers to add to my collection.
On the cultural calendar, we started our Tanglewood summer, with a concert by Jon Baptiste. I have to admit to low expectations since I had only heard snippets from his time on the Colbert Show. But he was an incredible musician, and put on a great show. I've been taking a drawing class, although I don't see a lot of progress. And, Mary finished her birding classes, and we are back to French conversation group at Edith Wharton's home. C'est bon et on s'amuse.
I got through a letter without talking about the heat, or the cold, or the house next door, or a certain debate.
So, better wrap it up before heading off on a rant.
Love from up here.
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