Fifty Two Years (In A Blur)

This Is Us...Friends For 57 Years

6:04

6:17

7:39

 It was an interesting way to start the morning, with our fire alarm going off, once, at 5:00 for some unknown reason.  It happened a month or two ago as well, one alert, then it stopped.  That was it for me although I tried to get back to sleep.  The unexpected thunder and lightning did not help.  So I came downstairs at 5:15, turned on the coffee and laid down on our porch's couch, to watch the lightning show and listen to the 30 seconds of rain if that.  I finally came in, turned on my computer, Sonos radio, got my coffee and my morning began.  I did get a photo of a heron, then took a half hour paddle to Long Point and back, always a good way to start the day.

A Stately Blue Heron

The Most Recent Dahlia

Yesterday was another nice lake day, lots of sun, a cooling breeze and as a result, a very busy lake as everyone seemed to be out in their boat, including us.  Saturday late we had received an email from our friend Charlie, telling us that his Jazz Band would be playing Dixieland music at the Chautauqua Institution's Firehouse, during their weekly barbecued chicken sale.  So we decided to take the boat over to the CI, leaving around 10:30, after a leisurely Sunday morning coffee and perusing of the New York Times and the local paper.  It was a super day to be on the lake, blue skies, deep blue lake.

At CI, Chance Meeting With Our Neighbor, Bill

We docked the boat among the weeds at the CI dock, then walked up and listened to the Chautauqua choir sing in the magnificent new amphitheater which looks just like the old one, though newly built and structurally sound with all the technology and new space necessary for the orchestra and the bands that perform.  We walked through Bestor Plaza, filled with tents getting ready a Food Festival because this week's theme is AT THE TABLE: OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD. In fact, famous chef Jacques Pepin will be speaking this morning at 10:45 to start the week.

The Dixieland Band

We were able to easily find a seat at the table in the Fire Hall and listened for the next hour to Dixieland music.   Two good friends played in the band, Charlie, the leader, who invited us and Fred, the tuba player and basketball friend.  There were maybe 25 people listening as well as people walking by.  The group is made up of guys mostly in their 70's, some in their 80's, all accomplished musicians and they clearly have great fun playing together.  We stayed till the end, talked briefly with both Fred and Charlie before walking back down to the dock and cruising home, marveling at the number of boats and kayaks out on the lake.

Charlie Playing the Fogle Horn

Fred And His Tuba

I was hungry, of course, when we got home so Evie made me a menemen, a Turkish omelet with tomatoes and feta cheese along with a toasted bagel.  I ate and watched the end of the movie THE FRENCH CONNECTION which I had started yesterday and Evie went out on the dock, taking advantage of another great dock day.  After the movie, I read some of CHURCHHILL AND ORWELL, fell asleep for a half hour then joined Evie on the dock.  Once again we were treated to a seaplane taking off and landing.

Taking Off

Another Parked On The Shore

It was parked about a quarter of a mile away at a rental place called Chestnut Hill, a huge estate that used to be a bed and breakfast but is now a rental property for up to 25 people at 500 bucks a day (or so we've heard), not a bad price for lots of people.

7:05 PM

Before we took another booze cruise over to Bemus, we put together some Turkish lamb meatballs, spicing them up nicely with various Turkish peppers.  We then mosied over to Bemus and back, as the lake boats were beginning to thin out as the weekenders were heading home.  It was a good way to end the afternoon.  When we got home, I browned some pita and grilled the koftes outside and Evie made a salad and sauteed some garlic spinach to go with our dinner.  We watched two more episodes of THE TUNNEL and both of us are really into it.  We have three episodes to go.  We had peaches and ice cream for dessert before heading up to bed.

Tonight, to celebrate our 52nd anniversary, I am taking my bride out to the Viking Club, for a beer and a Cuban sandwich. What a guy.