I'm back on the porch...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home from my travels to Memphis, great BBQ, MLK Memorial, way too many people!
Texas grands soccer, touch football with Papa and the combo of Romo and Rogers, trick or treating  together!!!

Lost an old friend today...

 

 

 

Gracie, our old dog of 15 years has left us for greener pastures to run and jump in. She was barely able to move anymore and she had been a runner and a a swimmer in her salad days.
Grace was my husband's best friend. Always by his side at camp since retirement. In his truck at work waiting for Papa in air conditioned comfort on the state highway.
Someday when it does not make me cry I will tell the life story of this amazing dog.

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After the storm on the porch...

 

Intense rainbow after a fall shower on Lake Michigan beach.

I just finished reading ARC copy of Wellesley Wives by Suzy Duffy. I enjoyed this romantic comedy so much. I loved that Popsy Power was 50 and her best friend Sandra was 45. Popsey even has a grandchild! The story gives us an insider view of glamour and wealth and the results  an economic downturn can have on  this life. Popsy and Sandra  stand by each other through all the trials life throws at them. Pain and loss do not weaken the strong friendship these women share. 

A long walk from the porch...

Apple pie I  baked from very tart apples picked from a rustic tree at camp. I have had to shoo deer away so I can have a few apples for my couple of pies I bake each fall. This pie was so delicious!

So, today I did a 5K! I have always wanted to blog that! I did come in last. I walked more than I ran but I did it.  My family cheered at the finish as I crossed. My daughter had to backtrack to make sure I was still on the trail and stayed with me till the end. Fun and the best bagels fruit and ice water ever!! 
So I really needed a rest after my walk for a cause. I turned on the Hallmark channel and watched "A Smile as Big as the Moon. " It was so incredible. True story about a special ed class who went to space camp! Reminded me so much of my students over the years. The obstacles these kids had to overcome because of their differences, especially the name calling  and taunting by other students made me wish every kid would watch this movie. Inspirational...

Last days of summer at camp...

 

 

 

 

 

 

A chill in the air, blankets on every chair, apple pie and eye contact with a young spotted deer through
the window...fall is in the air.
Our old dog (15yrs) is hanging on. Izzy at a year old weighed in today at 85 lbs.
Because of you 'serendipitous' I got out my macro lens and hunted for a bit of color in our drought ridden landscape and look what I found. A tiny red maple leaf in a pine bough, an even tinier white flower in the field and a couple of apples the aforementioned deer could not reach.
Camp for three weeks. A long time away from stores and traffic and sidewalks. I read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. So moving. He was a man of joy and passion. He knew how to wring every minute out of a day. A must read for any mortal. Also My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Good book but the ending was just wrong. I need a new book...now! Library, pick up dry cleaning and make "brownie points" for the kids tomorrow.

Today on the porch...

The ceiling is finally painted...the porch ceiling that is. My first day of blogging I put that on my list of things to do. Done, check! How long have I been blogging??? My dear husband power washed the 125 year old lead based paint off the bead board ceiling then painted it sky blue to discourage wasps. I will be picking up paint chips from my lawn and my neighbors lawn for the rest of my life or until it kills me. Whatever comes first. Be careful what you wish for...