A Fall Like Morining (Get Out The Fleece)

6:15

7:50

Monday Morning Storm

Monday morning

Up at 6:25, brilliant sunshine in our living room, a choppy lake and a delicious 50 degrees outside.  A good day for a hike/walk, perhaps doing Bemus and Long Point.  We have yet to really take a ride in our boat so maybe we'll that, too.  So many choices when you are retired and don't have to go to work.

Well, we are back in our routine, quickly, as we both were out in the lake, cutting weeds, getting our lakefront ready for the grandchildren.  The weeds are spotty, heavy in some areas, hardly any in others. I am afraid most of the taller weeds, out in front of our dock for example, are the kind that die off in late June, then the millefoil takes over.  We both worked for about an hour, getting a tasty crop for drying out.  The Chautauqua Lake Association will start pick up next week, so we will have plenty for them.  The water was amazing, clear and cool, refreshing and salubrious (sort of).  This is the best time of the year on the lake, the month of June, cool nights, warm but not hot days, a healthy lake, at least that's the way it used to be until the last couple of years of fickle weather.

We also spent a good part of the morning organizing upstairs, getting closets in order, clothes ready for summer and the arrival of our kids, putting away winter clothes, shoes, etc, getting our the summer gadgets and water toys.  Evie went off to return various items at the stores in Lakewood and came home with lots of goodies, cool clothes and shoes for her, a new skillet for making grandchildren pancakes, a successful shopping day.  I stayed home and watched European soccer on TV, the best soccer other than the World Cup.  For some reason, I enjoy watching national teams play more than I do club teams.

At 6:30,  Ron and Linda came over for a beer on our porch, the official start of summer, or so it felt.  We then went  to dinner at the new Hadley Bay restaurant and we had disappointing meals.  My pizza was great but Ron's Cuban, Linda's Beef on Wick, and Evie's Taco salad were all mediorce and that's being nice.  The service was fair, Ron was charged for Evie's Taco Salad, so it was not the best of nights out on the town of Stow.  We like the idea of a restaurant nearby but have determined that we will go only if we want a beer and  pizza, leaving the rest of the menu to others.  We ran in to a number of people, Joe Johnson, my breakfast buddy, Dan and  Connie Evans, owners of Alfies and Evans Liquors, our druggist friend from Lakewood apothecary, and Diedre Lauere and Preston Buchtel, neighbors.  We are getting to be 'locals with friends.'

Morning Drizzle on a Dreary Tuesday Morning

Mitchell's First Place Painting

Drizzle and Gray at 6:05

Evie's Garden in the Early Morning Light

What a way to return to the lake, a light rain for the past twelve hours, a gray and overcast sky, the sound of birds and drizzle.  I love it.  Reminds me of the old days at the lake when it used to be cool much of the summer and rain often.  By the way, I woke at 6:00!

We left Darien yesterday morning very early, about 6:15, had an easy ride up RT 7 to Danbury, then across # 84 to Middleton, where I picked up #17 to Binghamton, then # 86 home to the lake, just a little under seven hours.  The Roscoe Diner is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Darien, about 135 miles in case anyone is interested.  We didn't stop  but have always wanted to...too much in a hurry to get home or to Darien.  We arrived at Chautauqua around 1:30 after stopping at Peterson's Farm Market for some vegetables for dinner.

We unpacked easily, got the house in order, then went outside to work on the yard, as rain was forecast for later in the day.  We rearranged all the flowers, which we had placed in a huddle for watering while we were gone.  Evie cut the grass, rough and high in spots, since it had not been mowed since we left about ten days ago.  It was quite warm and humid, about 82 degrees, so Evie worked up enough of a sweat that we both jumped in the lake for a swim after getting the yard in order.  The water felt great, still cold but refreshing, with lots of weeds beginning to take hold.  Time to get out the weed rakes and begin our summer of weeding the lake.

We had a couple of sundowners around 6:00 (though the sun doesn't set till about 9:30) with some Castello cheese(brie and blue cheese), then had an easy dinner of home fries, bacon, eggs and, of course, a salad.  We finished the final two episodes of Mad Men, both really interesting.  Briefly, Lane gets caught for embezzling, commits suicide, Sally sneaks off with Glenn to a museum, gets her first period, and takes a taxi home and we get to see Betty act like a mother towards Sally.  Pete gets punched a couple of times by a cuckolded husband, well deserved, on a train, sleeps with a 'blue housewife,' and finally gets his wish...an apartment in the city.  Megan's depressed because her career is going nowhere.  Don steps in, after watching her trailer (reminds me of the end of  Cinema Paradiso) and with his help, she lands a job in a commercial.  Rodger sleeps with Megan's Mom...can it be love.  Don gets back his mojo, walks into Dow Chemicals office, and pitches his firm.  Don runs into Peggy, who quit last week, in a cinema, as both are unwinding.  Peggy's doing well, working on an ad campaign on cigarettes for women, Virginia Slims I assume.  The final episode ends with Don sitting alone at a bar, after seeing Megan off to her job.  A female friend of Megan's walks up and asks him if he's alone. And the episode ends, like all episodes with a song, this time a song from the 60's,  Nancy Sinatra singing the theme from a James Bond thriller, "You Only Live Twice."  We are left wondering if this is the old Don sleeping around, with the magic ad touch, or the new Don, faithful and out of his element in the sixties.

Once More to The Lake

Baba, Cody and Marisa

Washing Bikes

Skate Boarding

Tyler Listening to Phish

Up early again, around 5:00, just Evie and me this morning, as we head back to the lake.  It should be an easy drive, perhaps a thundershower or two, but not like the winter, when the roads can get icy.  It looks like it's going to be warmer in Chautauqua than here in Darien, which is unusual.

Yesterday was a typical last day in Darien, lots of shopping for us, lots of driving for Beth.  Because Rami worked on a project most of the day, Beth ended up driving Tyler to New Canaan for a driving lesson, then off to a pool party near Danbury, about thirty minutes away.  Evie and I went off to Kohls one final time, and I went to REI.  In between, we walked with the kids, washed Marisa's bikes, and helped her learn how to ride Mitch's ten speed which he rarely uses.  She learned quickly, loved riding it and shifting gears, so it was a good move. Mitch skate boarded with us as well, and later, Mitch and Marisa and I went off to the library to get a card for me, so i can get some ebooks, and books for both Mitch and Marisa.

Beth got back from her errands around 4:00 and we relaxed outside, watching the kids play on their bikes and boards.  Rami got back from a bike ride about that time as well.  We had juicy lucy's for dinner, along with fries, Mitch's favorite burger (we have lots of favorites I realize).  We walked the road again with the kids after dinner, as Marisa loves her bike.  We watched a bit of TV, another episode of The Wire, then to bed for all.  Mitch and Marisa have school today but Tyler is finished. '

Off to the lake in a bit.

One More Sunday in Darien

Ramiro and Mitchell

Beth and Marisa after dinner

It's overcast as I get up, about 70 degrees, though it is supposed to clear up later in the day, high around 80. another great day to be outside.  Rami and I were up early so we headed off to Upper Crust Bakery and Cafe in Darien for bagels and cream cheese.  The grandkids are still sleeping as I write, though Evie and Lettie, Rami's sister are up.  Lettie comes in from the city, with her two dogs, Greta and Bella, her babies, so it's a wild house with three dogs scrambling at your feet.

Lettie with Her Rescue dog, Greta

Yesterday morning early, Beth and I drove Tyler and his buddy to White Plains High School, where he was to take the ACT for the first time.  After we dropped them off, we stopped at Fairways, one of my favorite grocery stores, where we had an egg sandwich and coffee, picking up a few items, for me a couple of pounds of peaberry coffee, my new favorite.  We were back by 9:00 and then picked up Lettie and her two dogs from the train at 11:00.  Beth and Evie went shopping and Evie had good luck finding some clothes for a summer wedding.  We all headed to the Darien High auditorium at 1:30, for Marisa's recital.  I snuck out after Marisa's performanc, the rest stayed for another boring two hours from what I heard.  I had seen many of the dances at rehearsals, so I didn't mind missing them.  When they returned, Rami, Evie and I did a Costco run, picking up things for dinner.  Beth made her special vodka pasta, my favorite, and we had rib eyes, along mushrooms, corn and artichokes for an appetizer.  We had more than enough.  We topped it off with a Red Velvet cake from Costco, with a cream cheese frosting.  Despite being full, we managed to eat over half of it.

Auntie and Niece with Matching tennies

We were all tired, so we went to bed early.  I stayed up with Rami and watched the first three quarters of the Celtics/Heat game, but went to bed when I thought the Celts were losing it.  I was proved correct.

Today, Tyler has driving lessons around noon and a Crew party off in East Jesus somewhere late afternoon; Marisa has a soccer game at 4:30 and Mitch probably has something to do as well.  It's a busy family, weekend and weekday.

Hip Hopping Saturday in Darien

Amanda and Marisa at dress rehearsal

Mitch and buddies

Look at Us

Up at 5:30, to a cloudy but warm morning and I am the first one up.  It's now 6:15 and both Beth and Rami are up, Rami to work, Beth to take Tyler to his ACT in Westchester, about twenty miles away.  It sounds like a humid, hot weekend ahead for us.

It's hard to believe we have been in Darien for five days; they seem to blend together, so I cannot remember one day from the last.  School for the kids, practice for Marisa, lunches and dinners, lots of chauffeuring, walk the dog, things like that, a fairly normal day for today's family.

Yesterday late morning, Evie and Beth went out shopping for a dress for the Shorten wedding this summer in July.  She ended up finding a fancy dress at a consignment store in Darien but was not sure if it was quite right.  While they went shopping, I took Tyler out to practice his driving, so we headed to New Caanan, stopped for lunch at Rosie's in the town and visited a bookstore.  I had made up a summer reading list for Tyler so we went over the books, and he asked questions.  We ended up picking out four or five very different books for him to read this summer, though he has quite a few to read for school next year as well.  He drove really well, just has to keep paying attention to what's going on both behind and in front and the sides.

Later in the afternoon, we went to Marisa's dress rehearsal, and all three of us taped it.  From these, we ought to have at least one good one.  We left after Marisa's dance, came home and relaxed with some white wine while Beth got ready for a gathering of Fairfield's Crew parents.  She left about 7:30 and Tyler and Marisa and Evie and I had dinner, mostly leftover ribs and chicken.  Mitch was at a sleep over with his Long Board buddies. We watched an Iranian movie, Children of Heaven, with Marisa, one we had watched with Marlena in KC this past spring, about a young boy who loses his sister's shoes, so they have to end up sharing one pair. Rami got home around 9:30 from work and we watched the first episode of The Wire with Tyler.  We went to bed around 10:30 and Beth, the party girl, was still not home.  It was like waiting up for your  teenager where you finally say, it's too late, I am going to bed.

Easy Living In Darien

Marisa and Her Friend, Amanda

A beautiful morning, sunny and in high 70's though I was up too early, 5:30, watching Willie Geist on MSNBC and reading the NYTimes on my computer. Rami is off by 6:45, to catch  the train into the city.

Yesterday was an easy day, not a lot that we had to do, other than take Marisa to her Hip Hop rehearsal at 4:00.  I did get a bit antsy just sitting around, so I went off to NEAT, the hip coffee shop in Darien, packed with Mom's and Dad's, without their kids.  They serve a latte with a outline of a leaf in cream on the top of your latte.  Wow.  I got to sit at a table and listen to a guy make doctor's appointments for his kids, check on his flood insurance and find out where to pay a speeding ticket of $ 187.00.  I could not help but overhear him as we were sitting right next to each other.  Why do business in a public place?  I stopped at Whole Foods on the way home and picked up some fresh scones for Beth.

At Rehearsal

About 10:30, Evie and I did some shopping as Beth was feeling much better, little pain in her hand, which was great.  We hit Old Navy and picked up matching dresses and tee shirts for the grandchildren this summer.  It's nice to have that out of the way.  We then hit a few other stories, looking for bargains, stopped at Patel Market, an Indian grocery store, where I picked up more paneer cheese and some ghee.  I am ready for a summer of Indian food.

Late afternoon, Evie went off with Marisa to her rehearsal, stayed through all of the performances, while I stayed home with Beth and the boys.  We made Beth's easy ribs for dinner, basically you bake them in the oven for three hours, add barbecue sauce, and bake them another half hour and they are ready.  With corn bread and beans, it was a happy meal for all.  Marisa had her friend Amanda over for dinner, as her Mom was busy and had asked Beth if she could stay till 8:00.  Because her Mom was late, Marisa lent Amanda my favorite children's book,  The Little Black Fish, written by an Iranian dissident during the revolution in the 1980's.  My only complaint is the recent translation does not say the fish is a female, which I thought was perfect; instead, the gender of the fish is not mentioned.  I liked this book so much that I had my Senior AP class read it and write on it.  Great essays.  The fish, against the advice of parents and family and friends, decides to take the 'road less traveled,' and find out where the river ends, meeting, on the way, all sorts of problems, which it faces with nimbleness and ultimately courage and empathy.

Tonight is Marisa's dress rehearsal, so we will be taping it as no cameras are allowed during the performance tomorrow afternoon.  Beth also goes back to the doctor today, hopefully to get her bandages off.

FACELESS KILLERS: HENNING MANKELL

This is the first in the series of eleven Kurt Wallander murder 'who done its,' which I hope to read in order over the next few months.  Set in Sweden, Wallander is the typical detective, skeptical, almost burned out, on the verge of being a drunk, divorced but still in love with his wife, estranged from his daughter, with a father who borders on dementia.  Not much of a pick me upper, as Wallander also becomes increasingly unhappy with the cultural changes in Sweden, from the loosening of immigration laws, to liberal courts, to the questioning of police authority, to increasing violence in all areas of life.  It's enough to make Wallander wonder if it's worth it, if you have to fight the authorities, the press, as well as the criminals.

In this particular novel, an elderly couple is brutally murdered on a farm in a rural area of Sweden, once a peaceful and idyllic place.  There seems to have been no motivation for the murder, a poor, hard working retired farm couple but as usual, not everything is what it seems.  And the farmer, we learn, has secretly kept money in various bank accounts, most recently taking a large amount in cash from a bank, two days before the murder. Thus begins a series of wrong avenues, as Wallander and crew at first think it might be a relative, then an illegitimate son, unbeknowst to even the farmer's wife.  All turn out to be dead ends though the press seems to put the blame on 'foreigners,' in this case, illegal immigrants seeking asylum.

A few hate calls are made to Wallander, then a Somali is shot in the head, supposedly in retaliation for the death of the farm couple, thus Wallander must find not only murderers of the farmer and wife but the killers of the Somali immigrant.  Wallender traces the eye witness reports of a car back to a retired policemen.  He at first denies any wrong doing.  Wallender, however, puts a trace on him, who follows him to a Neo Nazi's house.  When they are confronted, the Nazi flees but is chased down by Wallanger; the police officer never confesses but is sent to prison and the death of the farmer and wife is seemingly forgotten. 

A year later, Wallander is about to give up on the case when trinket from a Farmer's Market reminds him of the various sellers, most who seem to be from Eastern Europe.  He puts this together with an eye witness report from a teller in the bank where the farmer took out his money.  She remembers two men having come in after the farmer, both foreign, exchanging money.  Wallender puts this together with the death of the farmer and realizes the two foreigners must have realized the farmer had just taken out an enormous amount of cash, followed him to his house, murdered him and wife and left no trail.  This proves to be correct and the two Czechs are arrested after a chase and Wallander can finally sleep.  Of course, there's the attempt to reconcile with his wife; a brief affair with a prosecutor, the unruly, angry father, neglected, so he thinks, by his son, and the daughter who is dating an African.  Lots to worry and think about for Wallander over the next eleven or so books.