Summer's End

Our summer is coming to a close. Oh, there will still be plenty of warm, sunny days and even a picnic or two, the gardens will continue to bring forth fruit until the nights become frosty cold, and we will continue to enjoy the fresh outdoor weather until the very last moment. Troy will be back next week and Sara and Alysa will be off to school during the day. Somewhere along the way we'll start school too and work ourselves into a schedule of some sort. I'm still mulling over in my mind exactly what kinds of activities I want to do this year. I'm sorting options and considering possibilities. Troy will be at nursery school Monday and Thursday mornings, so maybe Monday would be a good grocery day, or maybe I should go to Ladies' Prayer on Tuesdays and do my shopping then? Possibly Monday would be a good day to clean the house and get more school accomplished? Hmmmm... maybe I should pick a day every week or so to visit my mom or one of my sisters... Oh the choices... Oh the decisions...

Another Busy Day

Its been a busy kind of day. This morning my house needed to be rescued from the effects of the weekend, so after taking my own shower and giving the little dog a bath, I set to work rediscovering my kitchen. I'm happy to report that I actually found it under all the mess. I was not any too happy to see a "puddle" on my livingroom rug however, and this time did not take very kindly to finding it there. Somebody has to get Ellie trained and I guess its up to me. I stuck her nose in it this time and let her know I was not pleased. I hope she gets the idea cause this is not fun! While I sorted out my kitchen mess, I also did a bunch of laundry which today totalled three or four loads. I even folded it... amazing! I wonder how long it will take for it to find its way into the dresser drawers? In the midst of everything else, I found time to bind a couple of family history papers into booklets. Now they won't get lost and out of order... While I started supper, Hannah made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Not too bad for a Monday. I think we deserve the rest of the week off, don't you? Well, maybe a walk in the orchard this evening would be nice.

Mom's Birthday

Today was Mom's 73rd birthday. Rachel and I decided we should help her celebrate with a little family cookout. We were missing a few members (Priscilla was in Long Island, Dave and Leta were busy, and Jim is in Minneapolis) but we still had enough people for a party. The weather cooperated and we were able to enjoy being either inside or outside, well... aside from the bees we enjoyed outside... Hannah and the boys went swimming and we enjoyed looking at old photos and visiting in the living room. I love family get togethers and I love to watch my dad laugh as he tells of his boyhood escapades... but that's another story...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Wade a Minute!

Creeks are made for wading. Shoes and socks are removed and left safely on the bank while feet are slipped directly into the icy water.

Whenever we went camping at Robert Treman State Park it meant lots of time playing in the water. The creek ran behind the old grist mill and continued on over several waterfalls, down into the swimming hole and finally, somewhere down the line, into Cayuga Lake. The creek was a wonderful place to play. We learned to skip rocks and had all kinds of fun on hot summer days.

I love this old photograph of my dad helping me put my shoes and socks back on my feet. It amazes me as an adult how much love can be translated from parent to child in such a simple act.

Feeling like Fall

Summer is scheduled to make a return today but as of yesterday we have had a week of wonderful fallish weather. The cooler temperatures and fresh breezes have been very welcome here. They are the best for taking walks in the orchard and getting chores done around the house. I woke up with a headache this morning but thanks to some Advil and a little decongestant I feel much better now. Time to get something accomplished!

13 Things to Do Today

Its a busy run-around kind of day. I should have been picking up my photos at the pharmacy but somehow the order was never completed. Now they're coming in the mail instead.

1. Take a shower.
2. Take Ellie to the vet for her booster shot.
3. Take Ben and Hannah to the dentist for a cleaning.
4. Drop off a shower invitation for the girls where Bethany works.
5. Take Sara and Alysa to the library while we wait for Ben and Hannah.
6. Pick up Ben and Hannah.
7. Drive to Sodus to get Kara and Caleb who are staying overnight.
8. Buy some fresh peaches while they're still available.
9. Make lunch and clean up the mess.
10. Bake banana bread.
11. Catch a few winks (maybe...).
12. Pick Nathan up at church when he returns from the retreat.
13. Go to Beth and Adam's house for supper.

Contemplation

Time alone,

away from the noise of everyday life.

the gentle sound of waves lapping on the shore,

the wind on my face,

the cry of seagull flying overhead.

Time to think,

Time to dream,

Time alone.

Just Bluffing

It was cool morning. The sun was well hidden behind a thick and sometimes threatening cloud cover, but it wasn't raining. Rachel and the boys showed up at 10:25 am and soon after we headed out for a hike at Chimney Bluffs. After taking the best "old lady" route down to the lakeshore we started our walk, but not before I had to head back to the van for new camera batteries. I just couldn't make the camera work right. With new batteries installed, I was able to take a few pictures but not long after they died too. (Good thing Rachel had her camera along! I was taking movies and didn't know it.) We walked along the water's edge, then we headed back the other direction, had lunch, and hiked along the top of the bluffs. Rather than take the kids, who kept disappearing, back along the top, we climbed down by the shore again where Rachel and I found a nice log to sit on while the kids played in the water. Two of them got soaked but they were having fun, so I decided to forgive them. It was a wonderfully relaxing time, a cool fresh breeze blowing, no biting flies or scorching sun... It was a beautiful day even if I did have to wash Alysa's clothes when we got back home. (pictures coming soon, I hope...) Thanks, Rachie!

But She Does...

I have been trying again to catch up with my "housework"; cleaning out junk, washing dishes, wiping counter tops, sweeping the floor... You know, the stuff that we're always doing but never stays done? I still, on rare occasion, have that old dream of a perfect house; everything in its place, no cobwebs hanging in the corners, freshly swept floors, well behaved children playing happily, the aroma of freshed baked apple pie filling the house... Then I wake up and realize the sink is full of dirty dishes and my husband is out of clean socks again. Are there really women out there who have it so together that they can keep a houseful of children clean and neat and still have dinner on the table at the same time every night and a never-empty cookie jar on the counter? I was told years ago that doing housework while children are in the home is like "stringing beads without a knot in the end of the rope". I don't want my family to disappear (although that is slowly occuring) I just want the mess to go away. I want to "have my cake and eat it too".

Maybe I'm just starting to panic because school, along with winter and babysitting, is looming in the very near future...!!! "Take a deep breath... Okay, now sit down and read a good book..."

A Little More History

This afternoon we were invited to the home of some friends who live on the west side of Rochester. Having just posted photos of my great grandfather's garden and seeing as his house is just around the corner from these friends, I decided to find Grandpa's old house and see what, if anything, is left of his garden. This is the house in 1948.

I found the house without too much difficulty, but no one was home. Two guys next door told me an older lady lives there. I decided to be brave and check the back yard. Aside from scattered piles of rock and concrete, I saw two decent remnants of my great grandfather's artwork.

Behind the garage stands a miniature stone lighthouse. The light is broken and missing most of its glass panels but the base is in decent shape. It looks like Grandpa collected cobblestones to build his backyard creations. He did a great job, nothing about it looks haphazard.

A concret table remains at the head of the driveway. It doesn't seem possible that this table is nearly seventy years old but I have the proof in pictures from when my mom was just a little girl.

It's too bad the woman who lives there wasn't at home, maybe then I wouldn't have felt so odd taking a few photos in the backyard of a total stranger.

Calling My Bluff

Maybe I spoke too soon, Priscilla. Looks like my own kids have been hanging over the edge of that cliff! Yikes! This is a trip that Dave and Leta took to Chimney Bluffs in the winter. They've got to be crazy. It must have been FREEZING up there, look at those chunks of ice in the lake!

No Bluffing

Priscilla has inspired me to post some of my own photos from Chimney Bluffs. (I hope she doesn't mind.) These were taken when Ben was just a little guy (1994) and before the area was designated a state park. James was working and a fellow homeschooling mom and I decided to take our kids on a field trip. Her husband came along and took the photos.
Josiah wrote about the experience "One day we went to Chimney Bluffs. There we looked for neat rocks and me and Mom found some. We ate lunch at the Sodus Lighthouse Museum." He was in kindergarten.
The day was cloudy and overcast but warm and the flies were biting like crazy! We had planned to eat our lunch at the bluffs but couldn't deal with those awful flies. They were just torturous!

I'm so glad Chris took all these great pictures that day or I may have thought that none of us had any fun. The kids appear to be enjoying themselves and its a nice memory of a day out with friends and the fun we used to have homeschooling.

The Campout

Yesterday the girls camped out. We made foil dinners for lunch, cooked hotdogs on sticks for supper, and roasted marshmallows and made smores before bed. We included the boys for the food but only the girls slept out in the tent, Hannah, Sara, Alysa, me, and Jasmine. The girls told silly stories and giggled for a while before finally settling down for the night. (I pretended to be asleep and listened.) I struggled with a headache for the first part of the night but when "Mother Nature" called loud and clear, I headed into the house for the bathroom and some Advil. It was 2:30 am and the sky was full of stars. It was breathtaking! Part of me wanted to sit out and just stare up at the sky but the other part doesn't like being out in the dark alone, so I went back into the tent. I fell asleep listening to the crickets chirp.

Ellie Button

Here I go making up names again. This little dog has been called so many different names the past week that I'll be shocked if she ever learns her real name. She's been called...

1. Baby
2. Honey
3. Dustmop
4. Dust Bunny
5. Kitty
6. Ellie
7. Ellie Belly
8. Ellie Bean
9. Dog
10. Little Dog
11. Ewok
12. Peachy
13. Mrs. Peabody

She really is a cute little dog and we are enjoying her company. Jazz is getting used to her being around too. Bethany still isn't sure what to make of her and Dave isn't either, but neither of them live here anymore. I suppose they'll get used to her in time... Afterall, even the cats are finally starting to come home.

Neglected

My garden has been neglected and it is showing. The cucumbers are not only gigantic but are also turning yellow and the leaves are mostly dead. I don't know what happened but I have only myself to blame. With little to no rain, watering plants is a must, otherwise they die and this is proof. I had Ben water them yesterday but I fear it is too little too late as far as the cukes. My tomato plants are still looking great. I must have done a better job of watering them. We have an abundance of the grape and cherry varieties and the slicing tomatoes are ripening too. Both yesterday and today I enjoyed a tomato and cheese sandwhich for lunch. My peppers look okay too. I wish I knew a little more about growing them as the bell peppers pull the plants over on the ground and the chiles never grow longer than 3 inches. I guess I still need to work on my green thumb as well as the ambition needed to keep up with my gardens, especially in late July.

A New Dust Mop

(Okay, I admit it, I "swiped" the photo.)

We have a new family memeber, a little dust mop named, Ellie. She is a shih tzu. Jasmine isn't too happy with us but I think she's starting to adjust as it has been about a week now. Actually, Jazz isn't the only one adjusting as none of us have had to keep an eye on a puppy (she's 6 months old) for quite some time and we don't like stepping in puddles much. Luckily there haven't been too many. My cats have been strangely absent the past week which is kind of sad but I suppose they'll "come around" eventually too.

Determination

A few days ago, as I headed out to Webster, I saw a lone sunflower growing in the middle of the highway. There didn't appear to be any dirt along the concrete highway divider where it stood looking into the sunshine, but there it was none the less. I wondered not only how it came to grow there but at the determination it spoke to me. When things seem impossible, when there isn't much to go on, when no one stands beside me, will I still be able to stand? Will I bring a smile to the face of someone passing by? Can I continue on never knowing that I was an encouragement to someone else along the way and do what God calls me to? I couldn't take a picture but I can see that flower in my mind's eye, standing there, a bright spot along an otherwise drab stretch of highway.

A Tiny Turtle

Its a gray and cloudy morning. We had some rain last evening so things are damp and cool outside. A little while ago Ben came in with a new friend, a tiny turtle he found out by my snowball bush in the backyard. He looks very much like this one here which we found a couple years ago, just a little painted turtle. He's about the size of a silver dollar (remember those?)

Campsite

Our spot down in the backyard doesn't look quite like this but we're working on it. We've a tent and "Hannah's Place", a firepit, and we're planning on hauling a picnic table down that way tomorrow. If you can't afford to take a vacation out there in the wide world, then the backyard is a fine alternative. Its all in the attitude, right?

Changing Seasons

This photo was taken in the spring of 2002, but it reminds me a little of the feeling in the air when the seasons start to change and so I am posting it today. This the Teal Family Band minus one. One Sunday afternoon they decided to form their own group. Joe wrote a song, Jim came up with a tune, and I don't know what the others did to contribute... Dave, who wasn't home at the time, provided a great place to sit and practice, on the hood of his 1976 Oldsmobile 98. It made a great photo opportunity for the rest of the kids. The song sounded great but I doubt any of them know what happened to either the words or the music.

Anyway, I have begun to feel a little bit of change in the air this past week. Its still warm and summer-like but there is a new feel to the air, a fresh breeze, a lowering of the clouds, a cooler temperature in the evening... There are those who may disagree, but this is my favorite time of year. It is cool enough to enjoy a midafternoon walk and warm enough to camp out at night. The cicadas are buzzing outside and soon the apple harvest will begin, the leaves will start to change color and the kids will go back to... Okay, maybe we won't talk about that just yet! We'll just enjoy the rest of summer. I think it's time to set up the tent in the backyard and make like we're really on a campout. (Call for your reservations soon, time is running out!)

PS. Bring a camera, mine's still broken.

A Summer Memory-

My parents didn't have a lot of extra money when we were kids and they weren't the kind to go on lavish vacations, instead they took us camping. When my sister, Rachel, was about a year old, Dad purchased a simple pop-up camper. It was just a tent off the ground, no stove, no sink, no miniature refrigerator, just a folding table and sleeping areas off either side. Thus began a childhood full of summer camping memories.

One of Dad's favorite places to camp was Robert H. Treman Sate Park. Although Dad likes people he doesn't like a lot of loud noise, so he always picked campsites that were either somewhat private and secluded or at least a distance away from other campers. The upper level of the park, where we always camped, had an old grist mill which was a wonderful place for little girls to explore. There were creeks for wading in, waterfalls to admire, and one year, after a flash flood, there was a little known swimming hole in the upper campground. Here we are enjoying the sunshine and water. I remember my brother diving off the rocks and into the water. Dan was a good swimmer (as was my dad) but the rest of us stuck to the shallows. Mom said she could "swim like a rock" and that struck just a little bit of fear into the hearts of three little girls. None of us are great swimmers but at least we can "doggie paddle"!

Ah yes, camping! Roasting marshmallows over the campfire, exploring new territory, singing along with Dad and his guitar, and drinking canned soda pop...

Evening Walk

It's warm outside but the breeze blowing in my window feels fresh and cool, perfect weather. Monday evening James and I took a long walk back into the orchard across the street. By some stroke of luck we were completely alone, not even the dog tagged along. We walked along just talking when all of the sudden I spotted a deer. She was standing still and quiet, watching us and with her was a smaller, younger deer. They watched us watch them for several minutes before deciding to be on their way. Funny how I never have a camera along when I see them... We also saw a couple of turkeys running through the trees, nothing slow about them! It was alovely walk and we returned home satisfied that we both had gotten at least a small amount of exercise.

Last night we went over to visit Beth and Adam for super and tonight we'll be headed out to church. Maybe we'll take another walk tomorrow night...

Splish, Splash!

Its been rather hot and muggy for the past week, but this afternoon the thunder clouds rolled in and we got some much needed rain. All of my gardens have been looking rather thirsty so the showers are much appreciated. I sat out on the back porch for a while (after running through the rain to shut some barn doors) and just enjoyed the sound of water hitting the sheet metal porch roof. Even the mist blowing in on the wind was nice.

You Don't Say!

Jim and Joe came over for blueberry pancakes after the evening church service last night. Since it was already late neither could stay too long, but in the course of conversation the issue of car insurance was raised. Seems Joe owes his dad for his portion of this month's bill. Joe just happened to mention how his driving rcord has been pretty good this past year. I knocked on the coffee table. Joe said he's never hit any animals, not even a bird. I knocked on the coffe table again. (He said I was trying to jinx him.) By then it was close to eleven so the boys took off, Jim following Joe out of the driveway and down the road toward home. Five minutes later the phone rang... I shot James that "oh no" look. Oh yes, it was Jim on the other end of the line. I suppose you can guess what happened. Joe said after our conversation he was watching especially close for deer. He saw the first one cross the road and slammed on his brakes but the second one was impossible to miss. It went rolling out of the road to who knows where and pieces of Joe's front grill and headlights were scattered across the pavement. It could have been worse. The windshield is whole and so is Joe. The truck is back in our driveway looking a little sad but okay. It's fixable. And... we are thankful that God speaks to us prior to some incidents causing us to be just a little more careful than usual.

An Old Fashioned Rock Garden

When my mother was a little girl, she lived just outside of Rochester, NY in the town of Brighton. Her maternal grandparents, Charles and Carrie Hooper lived on the other side of Rochester on Chili Avenue. Mom's grandpa made beautiful rock gardens where ever he lived. He built walkways, fireplaces, and pagotas. There were bridges and birdbaths and he even had a greenhouse
I'm told that when he sold one house and bought another, he would make another rock garden in the new location. The gardens were quite elaborate and difficult for the new owners to keep up with but Grandpa never seemed to have a problem. Maybe he was retired and spent all his time out there weeding, watering, and working, I don't know... Whatever it was, his were some of the most beautiful gardens in the city of Rochester back in the 1930's and 40's. They even made it into the newspaper a time or two. Sometimes I wonder what happened to my great grandfather's green thumb and then I remember that on occasion I see my own children trying it on. Beth was sporting a rather lovely shade of jade as she worked my flower gardens several years ago. She even grew her own vegetable garden when she was about 16. Dave is often showing off his green thumb as he does his groundscaping job here and there. He loves to take a neglected area and fill it with flowers, ornamental plants and groundcover. I've also seen Ben show an interest in plants and growing things.
As a child I had a strange fascination with cemeteries. They were full of pretty rocks and trees and flowers. Looked like a rock garden to me. Maybe grandpa's green thumb isn't gone afterall!

Dragging My Feet

We've fallen quite a bit behind in keeping up around the house. Things aren't totally out of control but have been headed in that general direction. Our ride-on mower has broken several hundred times this year (steering column, blades, belts... ) and is out of commision at the moment. After a long week of not mowing the lawn, the boys are now out with the push mower and weed wacker. I'm sure our neighbors across the street are relieved.

The inside of the house looks slightly shaken up too. Its not a total disaster or anything but it is in need of some attention, maybe some general straightening, sorting, and shifting of debris. I suppose it could also use a thorough dusting and vacuuming but I think that may have to wait until Monday. I'm feeling generally achy, sore and tired today and don't think I can catch up to everything in one day.

My poor vegetable garden has also been neglected this past week. I've picked more than enough cucumbers for pickles but haven't had the opportunity to make them. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get that done!

And then there is my husband who thinks I have forgotten about him altogether... Can I ever catch up?

Picking Friends

Today was our last day of VBS. I never consider it an exausting task but it always is. Maybe it is getting up just a little earlier than normal, maybe it is adding something different to my schedule, maybe it is the fact that I'm always picking berries that week. Whatever the cause VBS makes me tired. I'll be ready to stay home tomorrow, I wonder if that will happen?

A friend came to pick berries this morning when I was gone to the church. It was a relief to know that someone would be picking because there were a whole lot of blue berries out there last night. Now I won't have to worry about picking tonight. Phew!

Insufficient

insufficient- Not enough to meet a demand or requirement: inadequate, shy, wanting

This is how I feel sometimes. I think we all do and in many different ways. If I am able to catch up with myself "over here", then that which is "over there" is lacking. When I complete this task, that one is waiting. It seems no matter what I do get accomplished, there is always an area left neglected.

God, being the All-Sufficient One, speaks to my need of feeling insufficient. In the scripture the apostle Paul said "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 Could it really be that I am not supposed to be able to "get everything done", "meet everyone's needs", and feel totally satisfied with myself? "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God," 2 Corinthians 3:5 Could it be that I should thank God for my insufficiency? Its scary to think that if I were sufficient in and of myself I would believe I didn't need Him, and I desperately do.

A Summer Afternoon

Ahhh! It feels good to have an afternoon at home even if we do have to go out to church after supper. After helping in the 3 year-old class again, I left VBS a little early to pick up Sara and Alysa from summer school. This is their last week and then they will be with me four full days. This afternoon I finally have a few hours to sit down and relax, look at our lesson for tonight's class, and sip some cold iced tea. I really should get some housework done but that will happen in good time. "Why do today what I can put off til tomorrow?" That is not typically my motto, but there are times when I have to look at what needs to be done and choose which one is most pressing. The rest will have to wait.

Wild and Crazy

It's been another wild and crazy kind of day. We headed out to VBS this morning and picked up Sara and Alysa on the way. Yesterday I just kind of hung around and looked for little things to do. Today there was a crying three year-old who wanted his mom (she was teaching) or brother. He insisted on crying and the opening program had just started so I, heartless as I am, decided to take him out until he was done crying. He carried on for quite a bit longer than I had anticipated but I didn't give in either. Actually, I am not totally heartless. This is the same little guy who just spent the entire past school year here with me and he will be back in September. I knew he would be fine. When he finally gave up and stopped crying I took him back in and became a helper in the preschool class. (Believe me, they need help!)

After VBS we went over to Rachel's for a swim. My very kind brother in law offered me a cold drink. I was quite warm and graciously accepted. He gave it to me in a kiddie cup complete with a lid and a built-in straw/handle. I decided to pour it into a regular glass and in the process proceeded to pour the drink out of the straw/handle and down the front of my shirt... I think I should have obliged him and used the kiddie cup. At least it was a nice clear drink and not red Kool-Aid!

It's another tired evening and I have more berries to pick... Good thing a second wind usually arrives not long from now.

Putting My Feet Up

My kids arrived home from Nova Scotia yesterday morning, very tired but safe. Six lobsters, which were promptly turned into dinner, also arrived. We cooked them up along with some fresh corn on the cob. Mmmm, good!

Today was the first day of VBS at church. Ben and Hannah are both helping and had to be there by 8:15 am. We left church at noon, ran home for a quick sandwich and then Hannah and I headed up to town so I could have my van inspected. I already knew there was an issue with the horn (it wasn't a big deal), but they also found a problem with something in the steering which was about ready to give. No money saved this week... I spent the afternoon visiting Shelly and Hannah had some time with Jessi. Aside from washing my sheets and blanket, I didn't accomplish much of anything here at home and now I'm tired. I just finished a small cup of coffee, maybe that will wake me up enough to pick a few berries in another half hour or so...

Berry Nice!

I have spent hours out in the blueberry patch today. My face and arms are probably sunburned, a natural occurrence when standing in the high noon sun for too long. I picked two buckets full of berries, most of which will go out by the road to sell. I literally work for peanuts when it comes to this job. There are times when I love the peacefulness of the blueberry patch and other times when I dread going out there again. Funny thing is that even when I'm dreading it I can't seem to drag myself away. Thursday evening I went out, the sun shining overhead, and in five or ten minutes it was raining. The rain was warm so I just kept picking until the timer hooked on my pocket started to beep signaling it was time for supper. The rain was streaming down my face and my shirt was soaked.

My blueberry patch looks a little bit sadder every year. Today while I was picking, a couple of people dove a golf cart by on the orchard road. I heard the woman say, "There's a lady picking her blueberries. That patch doesn't look near as healthy as the Foxes blueberries. Do you want to go see them?" She had no idea I could hear everything she was saying over the sound of their motor and the crunching of gravel. The Foxes own the orchards. They have a beautiful blueberry patch. Maybe some day I'll have a patch like that... maybe not... For now, I'll just enjoy what God has given me and be glad that I can share them with my friends and neighbors.

She Eats Like a Bird...

What does "eats like a bird" mean anyway? I looked up the phrase and this is what I found-

Definition: eat very little
Explanation: Used when speaking about someone who needs very little food to get by, often used when criticizing someone for not eating enough.
Examples: She eats like a bird, it's no wonder she's skinny! - You're eating like a bird, I wish you would eat just a little more.

Well, I knew that is what the definition would be, trouble is I'm not sure that's what it really means. I think people who eat like birds likely just pick and poke at their food. Maybe they eat very little, maybe they eat a lot, just not all at once. I think they play with and poke at their food enough so that it isn't fit for anyone else to eat. Maybe they don't even want it themselves but they pick at it anyway. Maybe they take a bite or two, find they "don't like it" and then ask for something else.

There are more than enough blueberries in the patch for both myself and the birds, but the birds have this annoying habit of leaving just a peck or two in about a bazillion berries and finishing very few of them. Nobody but Jasmine really wants to eat bird-pecked berries so they are tossed aside. I don't suppose the birds find them once they are "berried" in the grass and I'm afraid to collect them to feed my feathered friends lest I should attract even more. For now, I continue to throw them away or toss them to the dog. She doesn't know the meaning of "eat like a bird", she just "wolfs them down".

Taking Pictures

I decided to take the camera in to the camera store and get some advice. The zoom is stuck out, which means the lens is out too, and it won't go back in. I can't take any photos because there is no picture in the view finder. I can, however, still see the pictures on the card and transfer them to and from my computer. The cost to fix it? Likely between $150-$200. The cost of a new camera very much like this one, $300. It was also suggested that I email Olympus and ask what the estimated repair cost would be but I'm thinking it may be smart to start saving for a new one rather than send this one in for repairs. Between selling blueberries and babysitting Sara and Alysa (I don't charge full price for either), I could have the money in three or four weeks providing that I don't need to buy anything else... I can always hope. (Maybe I'd better start praying too.)

These are my Black-eyed Susans. They're so pretty blooming in the summer, a little splash of sunshine in my yard.

News Flash! The Vacationers Part 2

Here they are again, Joe and Beth, at the Atlantic Ocean. (No throwin' those rocks in the lake!) By the end of this week they will have travelled all over Nova Scotia and will be too tired to come home again.

I am really appreciating the photos as the original plan was for Bethany and I to drive up there together. I'm sad that I couldn't go but more than blessed to have three of my kids there. When I was a kid my dad took us to the coast of Maine two years in a row. It's one of my favorite vacation memories.

Butterfly

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I like my garden. It looks lush and green. I am growing celery, tomatoes, 2 kinds of cucumbers, bell peppers and chile peppers, and butternut squash. Oh yes, and a bed of annuals too. This year I can actually walk between the rows of vegetables and stay on my feet.

I do miss the beans, beets, and corn this year. My neighbor is supplying me with zucchini and last night we had it sliced and stuffed with meat, rice and cheese. I'm still trying to figure out how to get my chile peppers to grow 8-10 inches long instead of 2 inches. If anyone has any ideas, throw them this way. My spinach bolted in the hot weather (time to plant some more pretty soon) and peas just don't grow good for me. I've munched a few raw pods but there just weren't enough to have for supper. Sweet corn... my that sounds good! Might have to drive around the corner and find some of that for supper!

The Guessing Game

Yesterday afternoon was our church picnic down at the park. This year someone decided to have a little bit of fun and filled several canning jars with various candies and gumballs. Our job was to guess how many were in each jar. I found this slightly amuzing because just a couple weeks ago I found a book at the library on estimating. It was a kid's book so I brought it home. I glanced through the book and apparently my kids did too. Not only did Ben win one jar and Hannah two, but they told my favorite daughter in law how to figure about how many were in the jars too. There were ten jars of candy and the Teals went home with seven! Go Teals!

News Flash! The Vacationers

Here they are, my three darlin's at Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. (Thank you Grandmanita for the wonderful photograph!) They arrived safely yesterday afternoon and, of course, Grandma had to take them out for a little tour.