Mark and Greg’s Excellent Adventure

This is it, they are predicting one of the best weather weekends of the summer. The temps are high 70’s to low 80’s with low humidity. Greg’s ATV is fixed after their last attempt at the start of the summer.

The boys are loading up their equipment and checking it twice. They’re off. Mark gets ready to pull out of the driveway.

Wait a minute, forgot something, better bring the wrench set. One never knows.

And they’re off. Heading 3 hours into Maine.

The boys will be back tomorrow hopefully tired from lots of fun and with good stories.

Before and After

  

My summer science project of watching the wasp next isn’t progressing that much. I was looking at it last night wondering if they threw in the towel. Perhaps they decided the location was too busy. On the left is at the start of the summer.

 

The garden photos on the left are at the start of summer and the right is current. I have been enjoying eating the summer squash. This is the best garden I’ve had in many years. I think the hot, dry summer has contributed. I’m thinking I’ll expand it some more next summer.

Those Crazy Kids

No, I’m not referring to my kids. I’m talking about my parents. Saturday Dad called and said they went blueberry picking in the morning and had so many that they’d like to bring me some. I thought he was joking but he said he meant it. They arrived around 7:30 p.m. It had been awhile since they made the trip and he forget the exit to get off and ended up taking the Pike to the end, right in to Boston. They stopped for directions and Greg guided them on the phone and they made it without any major issues. They did however take a tour of the Big Dig tunnel on their way up.

Above are some of the most well-traveled and expensive blueberries straight from NY. The bucket on the left is how they arrived and the photo on the right demonstrates how many there are after cleaning them up.

Yesterday we all went to the Topsfield common to enjoy a concert. A different group performs each Sunday.

 

 

 

There was a wedding going on at the same time. I couldn’t resist taking a picture.

 

Mark even got Grama and Grandpa to take a spin on his ATV. Like I said, these kids today…

Not too bad considering all the things dad has been through since March. They went back home today. I guess when you get into your 80’s spontaneity comes back.

July 4th weekend

I know I’m a little behind with this post, but better late than never. Last week we were able to spend the holiday weekend in Fulton with family. On Saturday, Sheila had a great cookout and we also celebrated Kelly’s soon-to-be 5th birthday.

 

Sheila’s house has a great view of the river. It’s very relaxing to watch the ducks and boats as they travel up and down it.

Our boys especially enjoyed the time they got to spend on the Whitaker Road. Derek even had fun playing with his nieces. It’s nice to see him slow down a little and relax.

 

 

I enjoyed getting to spend some chatting time with Paula, my sister-in-law.

Sunday we headed back east to MA. This Fulton time was a rare event in that all of us were together, something I will always treasure.

 

On Monday, the 5th, our town had its annual 4th of July parade. It’s a small event made up primarily of old cars, kids on decorated bikes and lots of fire engines from surrounding communities. Its very quaint and I was glad that Greg I and were able to attend it this year.

Another Fulton Trip

Some of you know that I was in Fulton for a week helping my parents while dad was recovering from some surgery. During the week Emily was scheduled for her college orientation. I drove to North Adams and met her and Greg. I was thankful

that I was able to join them. Above left is a view of the Berkshire Mountains that will greet Emily every day. The building to the right will be her dorm. On Thursday Greg and I headed back to Fulton in separate cars.

While I was in Fulton on my own I did some bike riding. I’ve become an avid rider so my bike made the trip with me. I did some riding around memory lane. To the left is where we went to high school. It’s gotten bigger then when we were there.

 

 

This used to be a sandy beach where my mother took us every summer. I took my first swimming lessons here. Below is a skating rink where Greg and I used to go.

Greg and I decided to go to Oswego on Friday. The weather was beautiful. Our kids were driving in later in the day so we could all spend the 4th together.

The photos above are from The Loop. We couldn’t resist taking a rock or two. They are very unique to the area. After the Loop we decided to go to Fort Ontario. The photos below are of the fort and the view around. We couldn’t ask for a better weather day.

At first I thought this fireplace may have been from an old house but it is a monument to America. The granite above the opening says: “From The Hearth of America Comes the Heart of America.”

Hopefully over the weekend I can share some more photos.