Alone Again: Bottiny's and Holzheimer's Head Home (Maybe)

The Siblings

Bean Baggers

"Alcohol is a wonderful thing." Reed Camplejohn Sr.

I am the first one up, walked outside to chase away the crows and their cawing, took a picture of the sunrise and came in for coffee. I got through my email, Facebook, and some of the papers before I heard stirring upstairs.  Evie's the first one down but others are up, moving around, and someone is taking a shower, as the morning begins.  It's 58 degrees outside, some pinkish orange over Bemus Bay, but mostly cloudy elsewhere.  It's going to be strange for Evie and I to be alone today when all leave; I am sure we will be at sixes and sevens for a couple of days, till we readjust to a routine where there's only the two of us to worry about each day.  It has been a busy but fun five days, filled as usual with lots of good food, talk of the usual, our ailments, medicines, kids, grandkids, and lots of time spent on our IPADS AND APPLE COMPUTERS, the norm these days, as everyone has their device. We watched no TV, talked very little about politics, though we are compatible, which was nice.

End of Summer

We were lucky, too, to have such great weather, as we spent lots of time outdoors, mostly on the dock, enjoying the sun, talking and reading away our afternoons.  They were broken up with some walks, shopping, just right to keep us from getting bored. Ellen and I took lots of pixs, as we competed to find the best photo for our Blogs.  I think Patsi's are tres artsy, more interesting than mind which are mostly of people, so I have to be more observant to find some different things to photograph.  I have a couple up my sleeve already, so Ellen had better beware.

Everyone left around 10:00 and for the next two hours, we cleaned up the house pretty well, I raked some weeds, covered the boat, and put the turkey carcass on the stove to make soup.  The rest of the day we have just lazed around, doing little other than having lunch and reading, which has felt good.  For whatever reason, probably the fact that everyone has left, we are devoid of gumption, content to sit around.  Ron and Linda come over at 5:30 for some bean bag and a beer, then on to the Lenhart porch and the Zeezurh House for dinner.  And the Schultz's, our neighbors three doors down, just called to ask us to go out tomorrow night for a burger, as they are heading to Turkey in late September and they wanted to get together to talk about their  trip.

A Quiet Morning, Fog on the Lake, 53 degrees Outside

Looks Like a Fall Day

Happy Happy

Up at 6:45 to a quiet house, made the coffee, took a picture of the fog on the lake, and got caught up on my blogging, something I have not felt much like doing, I suppose because you need the leisure and quiet and it's not been that the last week, with Dot and Dad, Els, Walt and Paul Storey, and now Linda and Rich.  I am not complaining, as we will probably have few if any more over night guests for the next ten months, unless someone braves the winter roads, or wants to come out for the fall leaf foilage.

Evie, Patsi and I are all up, Patsi and I working on our blogs, both of them telling me about mistakes on my blog.  We both have some really good pictures and enjoy playing around with them, using them on the blog.

We have had a good day, beautiful blue skies, mild temperatures, and just the right amount of things to do.  We went for a long walk through the woods at Long Point, about an hour and a half, enjoying the trees and greenery, as we walked all the way out to the point and back, though the locust trees, and back to the car.  We then hit the Bemus Point Mall, a couple of other shops, then across the bridge to the west side of the lake, up to the Artists' Loft, to look around, then to the Lighthouse, for peaches, corn, and some pea meal bacon.  We came home, then, had turkey sandwiches, leftovers, and black bean soup.  The rest of the afternoon, we sat on the dock and read, enjoying the sun and lake, till 5:30 when we began our bean bag tournament.  A series of great games, with an eventual tie between Linda and I and Evie and Walt.  About 6:30, we went in and started getting ready for dinner, filets about two inches thick on the grill, corn, salad and a tomato salad.  The meat was done perfectly, nice and rare, yet tender and tasty.  After dinner and clean up, we played Telefunky in Mom's memory, finishing around 10:45.

Yum

We could not have asked for a better day; we did not end up dancing like last year but that's fine, as it was a great day.  It's nice to see we enjoy being with each other and we are thinking of getting together some time later in the fall, perhaps at Gettysburg, to tour the battle field and spend a night or two in a bed and breakfast.  It probably won't work out because of our schedules but we are thinking of trying.

Holzs Arrive, the Fabulous Six Together Again

After Bean Bag

Scanning Old Photos

Paul stayed until about 10:00, then took off for Lloyd and Vi's.  It was a great visit and he's really a good guy, someone I hope we can see more often.  Walt and I went off to TOPs to get groceries, corn, the stuffing and gravy mixes for the turkey, did it in record time, and by the time we got back, Linda and Rich were here.  It was a great day to be outside, so we had lunch of dogs and black bean soup, then took it easy for awhile as I worked on scanning some of the photos that Patsi and Linda brought, mostly of Mom and Dad, but some of us when we were young.  I will have to do more today  before Els heads back Wednesday morning early.

The Bro's

We then took a long booze cruise, rough going towards the north, but nice and calm and pleasant as we headed around Long Point, towards Bemus.  We then came back for a couple of games of bean bag, our favorite yard game, and Evie and I were paired, an unbeatable duo I might add, and we won handily the games we played, no braggadocio here!  We then had the turkey from the Lighthouse grocery.  By the time we bought it, the 14 pound turkey was down to 7 lbs, 2.99 a pound, but it was more than enough, could feed probably ten if need be, eight easily, and for the six of us, there's lots of leftovers.  We were so full that we all went for a short walk through the Woodlawn neighborhood, then came back, and sat around talking till 11:30 rather than playing games.  We had lots of laughs, I was disabused of some family myths, and we went to bed, tired but it was a good day.

Sunday Sunday with Bottiny's and Paul Storey

With Paul Story at Athenaeum

We are  having a great time with Els and Walt and Paul though the weather is fall like, windy and gray until the last hour, when the sun has finally come out.  We had moussaka last night with Paul and Ellen and Wally, home made bread, peach crisp, the works.  Paul got in about 5:30 and we just spent the night talking, catching up on things.  It was nice enough to eat outside, so we stayed out talking till it was dark

Seezuhr House

This morning we went for a walk at the CI, it's last day, and were there for the church service, which began at 10:45, with full choir.  We then walked around quite a bit, to the other end actually, as Ellen an Evie enjoyed looking at all the gardens.  We went in the Atheneum, the picture up above, and then Walt, who had pulled a muscle early in the week, took the tram back to the entrance, the rest of us walked back to the entrance.  Paul and I went to get the car, and we went home for a lunch of corn chowder and wraps.  Later, before going out, we played some bean bag, a game which Paul was unfamiliar though he loved it, wants directions so he can play with his grand kids.  We then went over to Bemus, for a drink on the Lenhardt Porch.  They were having Western night, so the crowd had on cowbow hats, and there was a poor soul and his wife, in western garb, trying to put on a western show, showing the group how to handle a six shooter, rope and calf, things like that.  Few were listening, just enjoying the night.  We then walked down to the Seezuhrn House for a dinner of burgers and fries, our favorite spot on the lake.  We got home around 9:00 and stayed up talking about grand kids, parenting, the works, until 11:15.  A good day.

Els, Walt, and Paul Storey Arrive Today

The Bobcats and the Good Life

A foggy deliciously cool morning, fleece putting on kind of morning, as I got up just about 7:00, though it was a restless night, up at 4:00 for some reason and had a hard time getting back to sleep.  Both Evie and I were really tired yesterday, so we got organized for today but also went to bed early, so we were energetic today.  It looks like a great weekend, high around 80, sunny and clear skies, perfect for enjoying the outdoors, taking a boat ride, going for a walk, kayaking and playing bean bag, something we have done very little of this summer for some unknown reason.

Cruisin' the Lake

I hit the exchange station, with our trash, picked up some corn, and found some non alcoholic beer for Walt, so we are set for the day.  It looks like moussaka, corn, salad, and peach crisp for dinner...yum.  I hope everyone likes eggplant.  Ellen and Walt stay until Wednesday morning; I am not sure whether Paul will stay one or two nights, either way is fine.  And Linda and Rich arrive Monday, late morning for two nights.  Let's hope we have good weather; I am trying to think of places to go, new walks, adventures for the six of us.  Tomorrow,  I thought we might go to the CI for their last church service at 10:45.  I would like to see the choir in action.  After tomorrow, the CI ends its season, so we will be able to go in and walk it whenever we like starting Monday.

It's 4:30 and the house is ready, yards cut, meals made, drinks iced, boat ready and no one has arrived yet.  Paul has called, is probably an hour away, and we expect Ellen and Wally any time.  The wind has picked up, the sky has clouded up, and the lake has become choppy and gray, not as inviting as earlier in the day.  We may have to put off our boat ride.

Paul arrived about 5:30, Ellen and Walt about 4:00 and we had a delightful evening, eating outside sans bees for once, enjoying the evening twilight, as Paul and I sat outside until it was dark, catching up on the news.

Paul spent the summer up in Maine, mostly with his daughters, Jenny and Beth.  Jenny lives in Wellesley, has two kids, and also has a home in Seal Harbor, MA, a stone's throw from Martha Stewart's house.  His children, Charlie and Wynn, 7 and 4, have been the center of Paul's summer, as he loves talking about them, and they were important for him, to keep his mind off of Becky's death.  Beth lives in Camden, in an apartment overlooking Camden Bay.  She's a photographer, free lance, seemingly short of money, as Paul left her his new Mercedes and credit card.  It does not seem to bother him at all, which is good.  Becky's sister, AJ, also lives in Camden, seems very close to Paul, so he alternates staying with his daughters' and AJ during the summer.  They are very important, of course, family is all we realize as we get older.

Brief Hiatus, Dot and Ed Depart, The Bottiny's Arrive Tomorrow

The Oldster Taking a Nap

An overcast morning though it's supposed to be sunny and pleasant today.  I was up at 6:00 and was able to read for over an hour till Evie got up.  Ed and Dot have yet to come down as they are getting packed, Dad is taking a shower, and as usual, they like to be organized.  They hope to leave by 10:00, which will be easy as it's just 8:00 now.

We had chickens from the Lighthouse last night, an easy dinner, though Evie made one of my favorites, Turkish zucchini fritters, pancakes with feta, dill, and scallions.  We also had corn and of course, peach crisp with ice cream.  We played dominoes, a game both Ed and Dot have begun to really like.  We played until about 10:30 with Dad and I winning after our horrendous defeat yesterday at Telefunky.

We did get the shelves put up, not too pretty but they will work and once painted, they will look good enough.  We also fixed the garage door; Dad was the engineer and I was his workman, as he told me what to do.  So I was Mr. Fix It for a day, sawing, drilling, screwing, and just generally having a good time with Dad as he likes to be busy.  He's not one for sitting around and doing nothing; he ends up watching crap on TV if there is nothing to do.  He does get tired quickly, but rebounds, and we work on the next project.  They both have done well this trip, Dot navigating to all the destinations, and Dad hanging in there, moving from place to place, driving in the car, flying to various cities.  I know it tires him out but he's been a trooper though I am sure this is his final trip of any distance, certainly to Cleveland .  I don't blame him.

 New Pantry Shelves

After they leave, we will start getting ready for Ellen and Walt and Paul Storey tomorrow; not a lot to do, just get organized, make some beds, and vacuum a bit.  It should be a great weekend, as we get together again.  I wonder if we will be as wild and crazy as last year when we ended up dancing till midnight.  It looks like nice weather but it may be cool, a low of 66 next week on Tuesday.  Better bring your fleeces!

THE LIONS OF LUCERNE: BRAD THOR

Another Brad Thor thriller, which follows Secret Service Operative Scott Horvath, this time responsible for the President as he goes skiing in Utah with his daughter.  The President ends up being kidnapped but the daughter is saved because of the intrepid Scott.  Of course, in the attempts to find out 'who done it,' Scott somehow takes the blame, must flee the country, and solve the disappearance on his own mostly, though the pretty girl shows up to help.  We see Thor's distrust of government as the responsible parties, as we learn in the first chapter, are really a couple of US senators and an oilman, intent on stopping the President from basically raising taxes on their oil profits.  A bit far fetched, as mercenaries from Switzerland and the Middle East are involved and Scott ends up escaping numerous assassination attempts, usually without a gun.  It's miraculous how he does it.  I got tired of this by the end and don't think I will dip into another one for awhile. Horvath is just not Jack Reacher.

Project Day with Ed

Sitting on the Dock on Bemus Bay

Dinner's Almost Ready

We had a great salmon dinner last night, a la Jill, meaning covering it with mayo, salt and pepper, and lemon, wrapping it in tin foil, cooking it for five minutes on each side, on the grill.  We also had my bread, still good after a couple of days, and my favorite salmon side, garlic spinach.  After dinner, we played a little dominoes, but we found we did not have enough tiles, so we played Telefunky till 10:30.  Ed and I were ahead till the last two games and ended up losing by 200 points, as the girls killed us.

Because Ed has been antsy, I decided to find a couple of projects, easy ones, for us to do together.  Yesterday, we did change a light switch but today, we are going to fix the garage door, which has he bottom chewed off by animals and does not close tight and we will put some shelves in the pantry for Evie to store more cans and make our life a bit easier.  He is of course excited about this, has thought it through numerous times and has all kinds of ideas as how to do it efficiently and easily and make it last for the next 100 years.  He just hopes he has enough time to get it down with out tiring out and asked about going to Home Depot already.  What a guy.

We had vicious  thunderstorms last night, or so Evie told time, an inch of rain which helps my lawn, so I did not mind.  Today's cloudy, with heavy dark clouds across the lake but it looks like it will be a good day, sunny once all of this blows out.  It was 63 degrees as we woke and I am warm for some reason, as it much be humid, same yesterday evening though Ed and Dot seemed cold, no doubt because they are Arizonaites.

Rainy Day Perhaps with Ed and Dot

Dinner with Ed and Dot

Ed and Dot arrived yesterday afternoon, after getting confused in downtown Jamestown, but they made pretty good time overall, driving here from Penn State in little over four hours, which seems about right.  Dot drove the entire way, with Ed navigating, which must have been something to see and hear!  They both seem in pretty good shape despite being on the road for two weeks, in the car the last two days for quite a bit.  Dad told me confidentially that he will never travel anywhere again; he's staying in Scottsdale, which I understand.  At 92, everything is a hassled, especially traveling, getting used to new beds, houses, riding in cars and airplanes.  I give them both a lot of credit for coming to Euclid, driving off to Penn State, then Chautauqua, then home again.

We at outside last night, a beautifully cool evening, fresh corn, homemade bread, and brisket, all perfect, along with a peach/blueberry crisp, with vanilla ice cream, my favorite dessert. We also have been having trouble with bees, so we tried something recommended on the web, spreading cloves around on the table and it seemed to work, as we were not bothered despite the good food. It would be nice if this works. We sat around and talked until about 10:30, catching up on all the news, hearing the Lincoln Electric stories again, something I am used to after all these years.

Evie and I were up around 7:00, a bit warmer today, around 60, but quite breezy.  It's supposed to be a nice day, getting warmer as the day moves on thought tonight it may rain.  I am not sure what's on the agenda for today, probably Dot and Evie will go shopping, and Dad and I will find a small easy project to do, like change a switch, something like that.

Grandpa Ed and Dot Arrive?

Another Rosy Fingered Dawn

A fall like cool when I got up, about 53 degrees though it's sunny and much warmer now, at 10:30, about 65 degrees, perfect weather to be outside.  I have my no knead bread rising for the second time, and am about ready to plot it in the oven.  Evie made a couple of loves of dill bread yesterday, from a recipe Dorothy sent her.  It's yummy so we will be carbohydrate loading the next couple of days.  I cannot wait to have a tomato/fresh mozzarella/basil sandwich on these breads and hope the tomatoes are good.  The lake is glistening as I sit here, wondering why I am inside when I could be outside raking weeds with Evie (I did rake earlier for a bit), so I am about ready to head out.

We have not heard from Ed and Dot, so I assume they are at Penn State, visiting Dot's sister and they will be here either today, tomorrow, or not at all, depending on how they feel I suppose.  We hope they come here but it all depends on how Dad's feeling, whether he 's up to it though resting here as opposed to Euclid seems like a  better option.  I expect them tomorrow, actually, as they probably want to spend more time with Margo, Dot's sister.

We watched THE VERDICT last night, a 1982 Paul Neumann movie, very dated, slow, and surprisingly cliched, as you got tired of watching him agonize over his case.  Everything about the movie was vintage 70's and shows you how much our lifestyles have changed in 35 years.  The offices, the streets, the apartments, the courtroom, the buildings, all were decrepit looking.  The music, too, was often silly, the type we used to get during the sixties to build up suspense or create a mood.  A strange ending, it just stopped, and why the jury decided to side with the victim, especially after Neumann's silly speech about justice and the courts (he gave no evidence to support the case) remains a mystery.  I guess they were wooed by his going off into the clouds, even though it had nothing to do with the case.

A Fall Like August Morning

Marlena's First Day of School...what a cutie!

Slept in till 7:30, a delight, as I missed the crows cawking, according to Evie, who was awakened by them, a morning ritual unless we close the windows.  I am not sure where they have come from because until recently, the last ten years, I don't remember any crows around.  Surprise...things change.  Yesterday's paper had a couple of articles about how awful the lake is this summer, how we need to start doing something about it.  That was good to see, that people are beginning to get exercised about it but also it suggests the truth: the lake is becoming less and less an attraction for the area.

We walked the Bemus lake road yesterday and the scum/algae on the surface, out to the end of docks, the rotting weeds at the shore and the smell of these weeds would make any resident furious.  We feel so lucky to be on the west side of the lake, as the wind tends to blow much of the weeds towards the east side.  I am sure the lake residents don't sit outside when the wind blows towards their homes and shut their windows.  Our neighborhood has been mostly proactive because of Evie, in cleaning up the shore line so for the most part, our area is pretty good though some areas are beginning to show a green algae on the top of the water, something I don't think we can control.

50th High School Reunion/Anniversary

Senior Prom, 1961, Ah Youth

Well, I had my 50th high school reunion last night at Quail Hollow Resort in Painesville, about two hours from Painesville.  I always have mixed emotions about this, as it's fun to see people you have not seen in 50 years, but you do not have a lot in common, especially if you have been out of the loop of graduates for so long.  It emphasized the fact that there was a group of 'knowns' at school, the jocks, cheerleaders, yearbook staff, people like that whom everyone seemed to have known about, then the 'unknowsens', those who went through school unnoticed by the  'knowns.'  I guess I was a known, as one of my friends said, 'You are the most easily recognized of anyone in our class," what ever that means.  I suppose because of my height, the fact that I still look somewhat the same, except for the white hair and beard.  We spent the night talking, mostly briefly, with various graduates.  I knew and could usually recognize the 'knownens', like Larry Schneider, Nancy Bailey, Mike Dane, Marty Church, the players, the cheerleaders. I certainly was not the most social kid at school, remaining mostly on the outside of the socializing until my senior year when I started dating Evie Petkovsek.  I had one really good friend, Dan Stevenson, who was not there, the Bathory's, other classes, perhaps Dave Colbow, a fellow basketballer, and everyone else was an acquaintance, not a friend.  I really was not friends with any girls, too afraid of them, I think, and Evie was the only girl I really got to know well, even through college.  It was embarrassing to have people come up and recognize me, and yet, even after they introduced themselves, I had no idea who they were other than a classmate.  For some the recognition would gradually come, but many, I have no recollection of, no doubt, a faulty memory.  I did spend quite a bit of time with one of my teammates from basketball, a marginal player, who I never remembered.  I just went back and looked at the team picture and he was there.  I had forgotten his name, even that he existed which was sad.  I acted like I remembered him, and he introduced me to his wife and daughter, who wanted to come along.  They were a neat threesome, a petroleum engineer from Houston, both he and his daughter went to Marietta College.  A couple of other people came up, acted like we had been good friends, and I still have not idea who they were.  One, an older women, remembered that I lived across the street from Nancy Creveling and wanted to know if I had heard from here.  Another was also a basketball player; I think he was cut, but he talked about playing together, which I do not remember.

The meal was quite good, prime rib, chicken, salmon and sides, a cash bar, and of course music, as people seemed to enjoy the 50's and 60's music, dancing the jitterbug early in the evening, but slowing down around 11:00, definitely a sign that we are getting older.

Graduation 1962

It's clear some classmates are still good friends, but like me, the majority have moved on, to other parts of the states, to other groups of friends. I should mention Curt Freed, a brain researcher, valedictorian, who I enjoyed talking with five years ago.  He was heading to Africa today for a safari, with his young wife.  Also enjoyed seeing Tom Leininger and his wife, Bill Fink, an old baseball buddy and friend on Facebook.  It was worth it, I think, but I am never entire comfortable with people I do not know well.  Occasionally, you will strike up a real interest but mostly, we talk for five minutes and move on.

Graduation, 1961

We meet Dad and Dot for breakfast at Bob Evans at 9:00, then head back to the lake after Ed has lunch with his Lincoln Electric buddies at noon.  It sounds good to get back to the lake.

Fog, Cool, and Misty Saturday morning

Halle

Hayden

Marisa

A strange morning since we are heading into Euclid for my reunion.  No great plans inside or out, just hit the trash depot, get ready for Ed's arrival on Sunday, and get our clothes ready to take into Painesville, the Quail Hollow Resort.  We are going to arrive around 5:00, take our time, get dressed, and the cocktails begin around 6:00, dinner at 7:00, music at 8:00 to 12:00.  It's interesting that I don't have any good friends from high school, just acquaintances, probably because we moved away quite soon after graduating, lived in Hawaii and Turkey for ten years, then spent most of our life in Hudson tied into life at Reserve.  The same goes for college friends, actually, though I have reconnected with the b-ballers about five years ago and that has been fun.  We stay in touch, see each other at least once or twice a year, and tell stories.  We all enjoy it.  The same for my Turkish friends, though we reconnected two years ago and keep in touch via occasional phone calls and email or Facebook.

Today's cooler than yesterday, especially this morning, as a cool breeze wafts in through our front windows and though it's almost 9:30, the lake is still foggy though the sun is just beginning to shine through and burn it off.  No rain predicted until tonight and tomorrow, so it should be a good day.  Better get to my tasks as we head to Painesville in least than six hours.

CHRISTINE FALLS: BENJAMIN BLACK (JOHN BANVILLE)

This is the second mystery I have read by Black, and I liked it well enough to try his third attempt at this genre.  As do the others, the main protagonist is the morose coroner, Quirke, an alcoholic widower, who ended up marrying the wrong sister, yet must live his life knowing that his brother Mal Griffiths, married the one he loved.  The book blends the personal with the troubles of acquaintances, in this case the death of Christine Falls, the daughter of a women who once worked for Quirke's father, the judge.  The mother, too, dies mysteriously, not before mailing her diary to an unknown, which piques Quirke's interest.  In his quest to find out the whole story, his niece/daughter Phoebe plays a  central role, finding out late in the book that Quirke is actually her father.  When his wife Delia died in child birth, he gave the baby to his brother and Delia's sister, Sarah, who brought Phoebe up as their own.  There's also the catholic church, its nunnery and charities, at the center of these mysterious disappearances and deaths.  It moves from Ireland to Boston, where Quirke, when just a resident, met his wife, some twenty years ago.  As I mentioned earlier, Banville knows how to write and I am continually in awe of his language, his insights, and ability to help me see things differently.  I was a bit bored in the beginning but it picked up its pace and I like it quite a bit by the end.  Quirke has a very difficult time forming relationships, though women seem to be attracted to him, and he ends up bedding at least one or two each novel.

Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Last Night

Tickseed: Coreopsis Big Bang Red Shift

It was nice to wake up to a washed yard, the grass glistening, the lake algae dispersed by the pouring rain (9/10's of an inch).  It's cleared up as well and the sky was a warm pink close to shore, then up high over Long Point, with grayness and clouds in between.  I had to go outside to try and figure out why it was so pink along the edge of our wall, yet not father out.  It was a huge cloud bank.  It was in the low 60's when I  got up, around 6:30.  Not much action on the lake, though our neighbor, Bud Kinney, took his old Cris Craft woodie out about 7:00, his engine breaking through the quiet of the morning.

We went to the Schultz's, our neighbors last night, for dinner, with five other people, a couple from Pittsburgh(he had been a school superintendent like Ken), a friend who lives just above the CI, plays in  various bands, and Mary Ann, Margie's sister who lives next door, and her man friend, Charles, 84 years young, who goes to all Penn State football games home and away, has two spaces for Pre Games at all home games.  It was nice to get to know some new people; the couple from Pittsburgh, Lou and Margaret, like the Schultz's do lots of traveling, both having been to China as well as other countries, a result of both of their children having worked for airlines and their taking advantage of free tickets.  The Schultz are going to Turkey this fall, the other couple to India, so we had some travel stories to relate.  We ate outside, a beautiful night, barbecued chicken, corn, and salad, then adjourned to the lakeside for a bonfire till about 10:00 when thunder, lightning, then rain sent us all home.

Today, we get read to head to Euclid tomorrow, for my 50th High School Reunion and Evie's Dad and Dorothy are also flying in to Cleveland for a tribute to Ed's nephew, Tony Petkovsek, for 50 years in polka music.  We will bring Ed out to the lake on Sunday for a few days, while Dorothy drives to Penn State to see her sister Margo; she will then return to Chautauqua, spend a day or two, then head back to Cleveland for their flight back to Arizona.  They have been at Jeanne's for the past five days, before heading to Cleveland.  Ed has not been feeling too peppy so I hope this trip is not too much for him, as he's 92 and starting to show his age.  But he wants to go to this party, see some of his relatives, and his buddies from Lincoln Electric are meeting Sunday for lunch and he wants to attend.  I don't blame him.

Life is Getting Better!

Back to Sunrises at the Lake

A great morning, so to speak, clear skies, cool, great sleeping weather and we are beginning to get into our old routine, enshallah.  We went in to Mayville to shop this morning, something different, picked up some things at Tops, hit Sadie J's for a coffee, and stopped at the hardware store.

We had pizza last night at Leonards, with Pat Jones, a nice way to spend an evening, as it was perfect sitting outside, just a bit of coolness in the air, enjoying pizza and good conversation.  Pat brought some Pellegrino peppers, in tomato sauce, which is made in Warren, PA, her hometown, and I swear I was able to get them at the Italian store in Akron, Ohio.  They certainly ship them to other states, though Weggies supposedly does not have them.  We put them on the pizza for some extra bite and it was quite good.

I have started trying to fill the low spots in the lawn, and reseed some of the bare spots, working my way down systematically, hoping to water each day and keep track of where I have filled in.  It's slow and laborious, but I hope it works, as the last time I did it, the bare spots remained bare spots, not a blade, as the dirt seemed to turn hard, as it nothing could grow through it.  Let's hope things are different this time.

Post Grandchildren Blues

Nick

A chill in the air this morning, the first of late summer, 57 degrees outside, as summer begins its gradual slide into autumn.  Another shimmery lake morning, the sun rising an hour and a half later than then on the summer solstice.  It's good sleeping weather, windows open, though the cawing of the crows in the morning makes us want to turn the air conditioner on again.

Mitch

Tyler

The Girls

We are both suffering from the 'post grandchildren blues,' something that always happens after the departure of our families; we work like mad for a couple of days, filling the void with tasks, like making the beds, vacuuming, taking in the floats, but gradually, things are done and there's this huge void of nothingness: no grand kids, no jumping off the dock, no fishing, no little girls in our bedroom.  Nothing sounds good...kayking, taking a ride, going out to eat, watching a film.  Gradually, though,  the blues fade, interest returns, and we once again enjoy the leisure of retirement, of having the luxury to plan our days (rather than have it planned by others).  For now, we will just have to bide our time, wait for that spark to rekindle enthusiasms, and find things to do.  Maybe a to do list will help.

Well, we were able to keep the blues at bay, by keeping busy most of the day, Evie that is, though I pitched in some as usual.  Went to get more sand/dirt mixture to fill in the low spots on our lawn, which has been uneven since the putting in of a new lawn.  And there are bare spots so I am trying to reseed them over the next few months so that next year, the lawn will be tip top.  Evie spent much of the day weeding, then cutting the grass, so the yard looks pretty good after three weeks of disregard except for an occasional cutting.  We are going to the Leonard's tonight for pizza, with our neighbor Pat Jones, and tomorrow, the Shultz's, our neighbors four doors to the north, have asked us over for dinner, with a couple of other couples, so it will be nice to meet new people.  It's been a beautiful day but I don't feel like going out on the lake, either with the boat or kayak for some reason, just want to sit inside, enjoy the cool, and read my book.  It's 80 degrees outside but a lovely 71 in side, just right.

I also called HP today about difficulties with my printer since I downloaded the new Mac Lion software and got it straightened out pretty quickly.  I just needed to input a new password on my router, which took a few minutes, and both my computer and Evie's IPAD are attached wirelessly to the printer.

Sunny, Warm, Another Beautiful Day

Family, 2011

A spectacular morning, a bit crisp outside, a harbinger of fall, few clouds to speak of, about 63 degrees, though it's supposed to warm up into the high 70's, just the kind we love.  Not a lot going on today, though we will no doubt fill the day up with tasks, either inside or out.  I think I will take back all our bottles and cans, enough to fill up my Pilot, buy a meal at Johnny's Hots, probably two!

Ron and Linda had us over last night for dinner, as they head back to Murraysville today.  Another  great dinner, cold radish soup, seafood cakes, lentils, and peach bread pudding.  We were able to sit outside for appetizers, but had to come inside for dinner, as it poured for about a half hour.  We had only seen them once, dinner at our house, in the past three weeks, so it was good to catch up, though we spent most of the time talking about the visit of our families.  They will return on the 26th for a couple of weeks, just about the time we will start having company again.

I am slowly getting back into my old routine, though I still show little interest in what's going on politically, as I am fed up with both parties, the media coverage, the hoopla, as the economy slowly tanks.  Republicans are afraid to endorse any policy that might work because it would ensure Obama's reelection.  And Democrats/Obama seem to have not ideas so the Republicans need not worry.  I have to admit my growing disenchantment with Obama and am beginning to think of him as a one term President, perhaps a result of the media and their criticism of him for not being a stronger leader, whatever that means.  Do they want another dope like Bush 'leading', with no idea where he's going other than the belief that God is with him.  Enough.  I guess I still am paying attention to politics despite my earlier disavowal.

Empty Nest Blues

Bissell's Last Day at the Lake

It was strange to get up to an empty bedroom (no little girls sleeping on the floor), an empty house this morning, a leisurely beginning to the day.  Jill and family arrived home yesterday around 3:00, happy to be there, to see Coco.  Beth and Rami, I assume, spent the night in the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, and are on to Toronto and Montreal.  It's a bit overcast, rained some last night, a gentle rain, not the deluge that hit NYC yesterday, fortunately, and it was 62 degrees when I got up at 6:30.  For the first time in three weeks, I listened to NPR and then Morning Joe, catching up on the news, though I have to admit, I enjoyed not paying much attention to what was going on, via TV, though it was hard to avoid if you read the newspaper.  Just more of the same, blaming the other party, name calling, biased pundits, and an unwillingness to face reality.

At Bemus Point Casino

As I mentioned, we made amazing strides in cleaning yesterday, as the house is practically back to normal, the wash (all the towels and sheets) are washed, the yard in order, so we may have to think up something to do today to fill the emptiness, the lack of grandchildren.

Morning with the Girls

We are going over to Ron and Linda's for dinner, so that should be fun and fill in our large day after the kids left.  Having all of them here began to see like routine, like that's the way things are, then suddenly, they are gone, and it's back to our routine of just the two of us.  We must get back into walking, kayaking, doing things in the area.

Home Alone as Families Head Home, Signaling the End of Summer

Final Day of Fishing

I was up at 6:00, fairly cool, around 63, with a pink/red sky off to the north, gray to the south, a very strange dawn, as the skies are not usually lit with color this early.  No one seemed in a great hurry to leave, though most were up by 7:30, even the girls.  Drew and Jill and family left around 8:30 though Drew would have like to have gotten off earlier, but with three girls, getting a head start is very difficult.  Beth and Rami left around 9:15, came back three times, eventually started heading East; their plans are to spend five or so days getting home, stopping at Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal, and perhaps Woodstock, VT, before heading home.  Unfortunately, the weather looks wet for the next couple of days though who knows for sure, certainly not the weather man.

Halle and a Sunfish

As soon as they left, as is our wont, we began mad housing cleaning, basically to keep at bay the depression of being home alone, in an empty, quiet, messy house.  The answer is to put it back together as soon as possible and its now 3:00 in the afternoon, and the living room and kitchen are done, three bedrooms are ready, the attic is organized, as is my den, and Evie has washed and dried probably six loads or more of wash.  We are both sitting down and relaxing, but it's hard to sit still after having little girls here for three weeks, wanting to do things every minute.  It was a busy, hectic, fun filled three weeks, a vacation the girls and boys never tired of, and best of all, they really enjoy their cousins.

Hayden caches a Large Bass

Mitch and His Dad

The yard and porches are also all cleaned up, no deflated balloons, balls, toys, slugs, laying around any more, no air conditioners going, no disco music blaring, no little girls dancing in the yard, either, constant entertainment, so our neighbors have said.  I don't think they will miss the music or air conditioners.  Joyce did stop over yesterday, brought all the kids presents, which was really nice and of course, they were darling, appreciative and affectionate, thanking her and writing a thank you note this morning.  They love running over to her yard and talking with her, have for a couple of years.  It's fun for her and them.

Marisa's Birthday, Final Day with the Family

Birthday Girl Ready for Morning Swim

Another cool morning, though not as cool as yesterday.  I sat outside for about 20 minutes, around 6:00, just to watch the sky turn colors, Homer's 'rosy fingered dawn,' and then it clouded over, so I went in and started surfing.  Gradually, everyone began to arise, first Drew, then Marisa, then Halle, followed by Evie, Jill, and Beth.  For now, Rami and Mitch remain sleeping; Rami had a tough 24 hours, taking the red eye from San Diego Thursday night, getting home in CT at 6:00, then having to go into the city for meetings from 9:00-12:00, then go home, jump in the car and drive for seven hours to the lake.

Wings at the Casino

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Real Whip Cream

Hayden Wins An Animal at Casino

It looks like a decent day till later, when the rains come supposedly and tomorrow, too, seems to be a very rainy day.  Marisa is too excited, of course, one of the reasons she is up so early.  So, tonight, it's pizza cooked outside, an ice cream cake, deep fried ice cream, then, of course, SPUD and Red Rover. Cannot wait.

THE APOSTLE: BRAD THOR

At Jill and Drew's recommendation, I began a best selling series by Brad Thor, better than Jack Reacher according to Jill, about an ex special forces guy named Scott Horvath.  Like other novels of this genre and unlike Reacher, it seems more contemporary, as this particular novel is set in Afghanistan.  A wealthy and influential female donor to the President Alden, Stephanie Gallo, has her daughter kidnapped by Taliban and they demand the release of a fellow comrade, a Osama like figure.  Of course, in the nation's interest this cannot be done, but because it's Stephanie's daughter, ex operative Scott Horvath is called in, given cash and the help of the military, and single handedly, he flies in, manages, of  course, to extract her and save the day. There was a subplot which seemed out of place and very political to me, as a secret service agent, in charge of guarding the President, discovers that he has lied about the death of one of his aides, like Teddy Kennedy back in the 70's, she won't let the rumors go until she finally confronts the President and he is forced to resign.  What this has to do with Scott Horvath and the adventure story is not clear to me, other than pleasing the right, the Wall Street Journal readers, and the Tea Party, who don't read probably.  A would give it a C - and will probably try one more to see if this was an exception.

Hayden's Tenth Birthday Celebration Yesterday

Hayden Opens her  Presents

Hayden Love Her Books

A Lime Green Pillow to Match Her Room

Hayden turned ten yesterday and it was her day, starting with crepes for breakfast, a excursion to the petting zoo at the campground, to home made fries and juicy lucy burgers for dinner, to a chocolate chip cookie cake after dinner.  In between, she played with her cousin, Marisa and sister Halle, swam, and enjoyed the fact that he Dad, Drew, had driven in from NYC for her birthday.  O, yes, we also played SPUD and Red Rover, at her request, at dusk, completing a great day for her.  She showed enormous patience, I thought, as she did not open her presents until after dinner, having to wait all day.  She is a great child to watch open presents, as no matter what the gift, she shows great excitement, whether ear rings, a book, or an ITouch cover.  It was a great day for her, and tomorrow, we have another great day, as Marisa kept reminding herself as Hayden opened her presents...Marisa's eighth birthday.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

This morning was a wonderful 57 degrees when I woke up, lots of sunshine, quiet, as it's almost 8:00 and Evie and Drew are the only other two up. A very quiet morning and week on the lake, with nary a boat out, just a lone paddle board.  It's a great morning for paddle boarding, as the lakes calm and glassy, with no wind to speak of.   Beth and Rami arrive later this evening, probably around 9:00, depending on what time Rami can get away from his office.  For the girls, it looks like another day at Midway Park, then wings at the Casino afterwards, at their request.  Not two of my favorite places but the kids like it, so off we will go.

Mitch and I have the no knead bread started, so we will make it today so his Dad can try it.  He's also got the frozen ice cream ready to deep fry for tomorrow night also, so his Dad can try it.  That boy sure idolizes his Dad.  And today, Mitch is going to make a peanut butter pie for after the wings, just what we need to wash down all that grease and perhaps an ice cream cone.  This peanut butter chocolate cake is for Mitch's Uncle Drew, a strong request.

We spent the afternoon outside, swimming, playing games, reading, and just relaxing, though I spent an hour or two going to the store for our final meal as a family tomorrow night.  We are grilling pizzas on the grill, one of my favorite ways to have pizza, as it's easy and really quite good if you have a pizza stone and a grill that gets quite hot.  Tonight, we are going to the Casino, having talked the girls out of the idea of going to Midway; we went tubing instead and just enjoyed being outside on a delightful day, about 76 high, though in the sun, it seemed really warm.