"How Did You Hear About Us?"

This morning brought an interview for a new job. I think it went well. I'll know more about it by Friday. Life definitely takes some interesting twists and turns. I'd never have imagined myself traveling this road just a few years ago, but I'm actually looking forward to it... with just a drop of "healthy" trepidation.

Today I went to lunch with my sister Priscilla, who was kind enough to give me a ride to my interview as my vehicle had been commandeered by its second owner and taken to the southern tier. Priscilla suggested going to Leo's  since it was right around the corner from where I'd interviewed. We had the whole afternoon to spend doing whatever we chose, but our choice was to come back to the house where we both settled onto a couch and fell fast asleep to the sounds of birds and tractors. Soothing country sounds.

The house was strangely silent after yesterday's continual action. Our visitors were off doing some more visiting (and a little bit of sight seeing as well). 

On Thursday maybe we'll have another party. One small girl will be having a birthday on Friday and an early celebration is in order. What a great way to wrap up the week!

Photos courtesy of yesterday, and my sister Rachel who was wise enough to bring her camera along to the party.

:0)

"You Gotta have Pie on the 4th of July!"

It was a great party! For the first time since September we had all our offspring (and their second halves) in one place. The cousins had a wonderful time, the grown ups had a wonderful time, even the chickens had a wonderful time!

Looking for the cousins...

Fruit pies by Michele. Strawberry rhubarb, peach, and blueberry.

 Pie sampler, because, why not?

Something Naughty going on. (Photo courtesy of Priscilla, Michele, and Bethany. It was a group effort. See cat, figure out camera, take picture.)

Uncle Joe takes a nap in a spot of shady lawn.

Little flower. Austin calls her "Jilly-a-Baby."

Spencer still loves the chickens. He found it totally amusing that they were out of the cage.

All in one photo, Numbers Seven, One, Eight, Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six!

I thought Numbers Ten and Nine should get in on the fun too so we added Sabrina and Hannah.

Our own seven and their others. Ben and Joe decided they could be a couple too...

One with Mom and Dad

Sweet rewards. They were bribed with Freeze Pops to sit for a photo. I'd offered them bubble gum, but was told by a small girl that it had "dye and modified corn starch and that's like poison"... That's okay because I like bubble gum too.

My nephew Allen brought a slack line to walk on. I had to try. I got three steps in before falling off.

I heard Sergio did pretty good, even tried running across, but I must have been down by the chickens with Spencer.

Jake and Aubrey are best buddies. Kissin' cousins even.

So much fun watching everyone together. I just don't want it to be over. Maybe we can gather them up one more time before Minnesota packs up and heads home.

Brave Chicken (How's that for an oxymoron?)

After talking with an acquaintance at the farmer's market in Webster this morning, I decided to be brave this evening and leave the door to my chicken coop open for a little bit. One hen was braver than the rest. After looking out the door and checking things out for a few minutes, she decided to venture out. The rooster was not the bravest bird in the bunch, but since he is supposed to be the leader, he came out too.  I sat back in the grass with my camera and watched.

I've been told that once the flock is used to their enclosure, they will automatically "go home" at night. They didn't wander very far from the door this time, they weren't out very long, and not everyone ventured out. One silly chicken got confused and forgot where the door was. She kept looking at her friends inside and then proceeded with an attempt to fly through the chicken wire. In her confusion she ended up on the backside of the cage where I followed her back around to the door and she hopped safely inside.

More exciting than chickens was the arrival this afternoon of our Minnesota people. Jim, Michele, and Austin arrived at about 1:30 pm. Austin looked a little shy and unsure at first, but the apprehension quickly melted away. When he saw the toys, the chickens, and the cats, he decided it was an alright place. And he hasn't even caught up with the cousins yet. Wait until that happens!


We're going to have a fabulous week.
:0)

Another Day in the Life

I had a bit of a shock when I woke up and looked at the clock this morning. "9:20 am" I never sleep that late. I hopped out of bed, jumped into the shower, and when I came downstairs found that my lovely daughter in law had left a gift on my kitchen table. There wasn't a note or a card, just three items left for me to discover. It had "My favorite Leta" written all over it.

Although the day started off slow and I feared I'd get little to nothing accomplished, at the end of the day I feel alright about it. I ran the dishwasher, made a visit to my son and grandkids in town, took a short nap before the other three grandkids came for a couple hours, folded the laundry (a day late), and cleaned the kitchen. Not too shabby.

Yesterday I took my camera down to the chicken coop. A few of the hens were doing acrobatics, but of course, they were camera shy and didn't pose for me when I brought it out. I did, however, catch a few nice shots of that crazy rooster.

My Minnesota son will be here in just another couple of days. I am looking very much forward to wrapping my arms around him for a long hug. They haven't been home since Hannah and Sergio's wedding last September and my little grandson is growing up without me there to watch. I'm pretty sure that shouldn't be allowed.

And Then It Was Wednesday

I didn't have to work today. (Cutting back some more with G. and going for an interview with another organization on Tuesday morning...) I thought I might stick around home, clean the house, and catch up with things around here, but I was feeling a little "off" and decided it might be best to get myself up and out of the house.When one is feeling blue, there is no need to stay home and sit in it, so I didn't.

My sister Rachel and I went shopping for Hannah's baby shower, which is on Sunday. It's an early shower since she isn't due until the end of October, but this is when Michele will be in town and we want to include her in the fun. Rachel and I also drove out to see our brother Tim and take him out for a ride. He was his quiet kind of self, a little unsteady on his feet due to a change in meds, but still walking. I always feel loved when he holds my hand on the way back into the house. Rachel and I had already been out to lunch at Panera before our drive to Newark, but we decided to stop at Yia Yai's for a soft serve twist on our way back home anyway.

This evening, after more than enough food for the day, I felt like I really really needed a walk, so I met my friend Lorrie at "our parking lot" in Pultneyville and we went for a walk together. Walking is always better with a friend. This time I took my camera along too. Aside from clouds of vicious gnats, it was a beautiful night.

Tuesday Treasures

I kept myself busy again today (or yesterday, since I wrote this last night...); had an appointment in the morning, lunch with my daughter and one v-e-r-y long game of UNO with Josh and Raul, an afternoon ride to the Port of Rochester with my sister, a stop at my son's apartment, and my support group meeting this evening. (No wonder I'm tired.)

It's only here for another day. The Spanish galleon "El Galeon." I was pretty sure Jack Sparrow was hiding somewhere on board. Please forgive another rash of photos.

Somehow or other, my Dad passed his love of ships on to me. It happened several years ago when we chanced to be in Oswego, NY at Fort Ontario when a clipper ship came sailing into the harbor. My dad had died the previous September and, if I was the superstitious sort, I'd have thought he was sending me a gift. I've often found myself wishing we could have toured the boats together because he loved them so much. Can you stand another Dad drawing?

Linking up with Tuesday"s Treasure at Tom's

The Barn Collective

On my way out to Chimney Bluffs yesterday I passed several barns but only stopped to take a picture of one. Looks like his corn will be "knee-high by the fourth of July." Sure hope we get some rain soon.

Sweet corn is a summer delicacy enjoyed by most locals. I've ordered corn on the cob in other places only to be disappointed by it's lack of sweetness and flavor. I'm rarely disappointed in our local corn stand. They grow the best. Can't wait for it to be available.

Calling My Bluff

I hadn't plans to visit the bluffs today, but the Cabinet Maker needed something from home, so I packed it into my van and went for a ride. The cottage he was working on this morning is on top of a bluff on the shore of Lake Ontario. I took my camera along and went for a walk along the shore. Please forgive the plethora of pictures. I don't get out by Chimney Bluffs very often.

One with my long lens from the backyard of the cottage.

Making my way down the beach. I had to go over , under, or around a few fallen trees.

This lady caught my eye. I liked her beach attire.

"Danger. Stay off Bluffs"
I'm pretty sure that sign wasn't always towering. That's what happens when the beach wears away. Good thing they buried it deep... I guess.

And there they are.

Not quite as majestic as they were 30 years ago.

People on the beach. Maybe they're the ones we passed on bicycles along the road later. 

Heading back to the cottage. I could have walked up the road, but the beach was more fun.