Hi, kids! It’s been a busy week here at the Acres, mostly garden and housework, mundane chores and such.
To celebrate our wedding anniversary we visited a new eating spot in downtown Eville, Patsy Hartigan’s Irish Pub. I really liked the atmosphere – horse racing and soccer on the TVs – and the food was not only delicious, but also reasonably priced. I’m excited to return and try everything on the menu!
I did manage to figure out the microsoft chipchamp program well enough to put together a short video of Camp Sonnystone. It’s really much better than what I’ve been using, but my brain was shorting out a couple of times trying to move and trim; I figured out that AI will fix everything for you…well, not everything but a lot…
It’s just under two minutes. Enjoy!
Giggle, guffaw, chuckle, chortle – however you express your amusement – Let’s All Laugh! (it seems to make some people cray-cray)
There’s a Super Moon coming up tomorrow and we’ll be out howling!
It’s a wrap, folks! The long-awaited, highly-anticipated visit from the NewYorkers lived up to its hype. Both the “Last Camp” and the Disney Trip were wildly successful, and despite the efforts of the weather gods to sabotage our plans, we danced in the rain… I have a newly-installed video editing program and will be creating a couple of movies to chronicle the Fun.
Emma, Eliza, Nova, and Samantha snapping beans…
We’re taking a breather, but our August calendar is beginning to fill in. The Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival is coming up this week-end over in Henderson. Sunday, the 11th, is my dil, Jessica’s birthday and Thursday, the 15th is my sil, Eric’s birthday — that’s a lot of cake right there. We will be celebrating 44 years of wedded bliss on the 15th and if weather permits we’ll be camping in New Harmony again.
It feels good to get back to the old routine, and I am looking so forward to doing more writing across all of my blogs. Follow me, kids, and you’ll have plenty to read this month…
Two Sundays ago, we were arriving in Disney World, meeting up with the Jose Family for 5 days of Fun. Despite the hellish weather, we had a Great Time!
Last Sunday, we were arriving home from our Trip, overwhelmed with laundry and catching up with the gardens. Now This Sunday, we’re waiting as patiently as we can for Melissa, Emma, and Eliza to arrive to spend the next 5 days with us!
This is most likely our last Camp Sonnystone, but it’s going to be Super. I will share with you next week. Thanks for following me, dear Friends.
Sorry I’m late with this weekly report, but the last several days have been confusing and somewhat distressing for me…
The confusion stems from Ellis Park, our local thoroughbred racetrack, and my old stomping grounds. Old is the operative word here. Our poor little track has changed owners several times in the past five years, with Big Plans and No Progress, leaving the facility in really rough shape. Churchill Downs bought it back a couple of years ago and now has (allegedly) started fixing structural problems and while the buildings/grounds are still a work-in-progress, they’ve added several new stakes races, bringing in more Horsemen and $$. The 2024 racing season at Ellis was scheduled to open July 4, but there was a big storm the night before with Zeus throwing lightning bolts around like confetti, and one hit the pump in the water tower. An early-morning announcement shut the show down on Thursday. Reports were sketchy and we heard that the Friday race card had been moved to Monday. We’d planned to visit on Friday, so just moved our plans to Monday. We heard wrong. I realized yesterday evening that they were open and running on Friday, and consequently closed on Monday, so I won’t be able to get to the track until after our WDW trip. I remain confused because they’re running on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday this year–what’s with that? –except for this one Monday…
The Distress occurred when I went shopping…for clothes…because I’ve outgrown all of my frocks…which were really old anyway. Convinced that the tight waistbands and clinging tees were all due to years of washing, I blithely went into the dressing room at Kohl’s to try on some shorts. I was intimidated by the tri-fold mirrors in the fitting room, and when I removed my old shorts to try the new and could see my figure from front, back, and side, I stopped in my tracks, staring at an image that strongly resembled my mother; I’m used to that from the neck up, but this time it was Mom’s thighs and butt that I saw… I struggled to pull the new shorts past my massive ass and did get the zipper zipped, but could barely breathe. Yes, I have advanced a clothing size, and yes, I now wear the same size Mom did when she was 71. What’s a girl to do? Process it over drinks, I say…and I did. I think we’ll just call it a Promotion. I look “fine” in my new clothes and nobody knows but us, right? While I Should eat in a more healthy fashion, my dieting days are long gone. I’m on my way to Disney where decadent snacks and exotic drinks are a beloved part of the Experience. I have an arsenal of Disney tees and they still fit okay, mostly. Besides, the weather is supposed to be hot, humid, with daily rain, so if people are being critical, they’ll probably laugh and point at my hair. I guess if that’s my biggest problem, I should be grateful….and I am…
We’ll be meeting up with The Jose Fam next Sunday to begin our five days at the Disney Resort. This trip means quite a bit to me, as I have tried to arrange it for the last four years. I thought it might never happen, and it’s very likely it will never happen again, so I want to savor each moment as we run ourselves ragged from ride to ride and park to park, making magic memories. We will have a blast and it should make a great movie.
It’s been a good month; the gardens have been carefree, we spent plenty of time with the Jr. girls, watched our #1 graduate, camped in NH, danced in Henderson, enjoyed a Fathers Day, worked on our tan, and now we find ourselves on the cusp of July.
As we gaze into the yawning abyss of heat and humidity that we call “July in Eville”, I long to escape the inevitable sweaty, bad-hair days. You’re thinking Michigan? Maine? Mountains? After all, No one in their right mind would want to leave this Southern Indiana Sauna for the Hellhole of Central Florida where there’s Even Worse heat/humidity, plus daily rain showers that add a layer of steam to your sweat and frizz your hair into actual tangles that have to be professionally removed…
So, yeah, we’re going down to Disney World July 15-20, meeting up with the New Yorkers; it’s the only time they can go, so who cares about the weather. It’s been five years since they visited The Mouse, and there’s so much for them to see! Being the Veteran Disney People we are, this isn’t the first time we’ve been there in July – or August, as that month is just as bad. The crowds tend to be lower (less locals) and most of the ride lines are under roof, so we’ll pack our neck-icebags and have a blast.
Until then, our schedule is open. The Jr. girls are spending time with their maternal Nana, Pa-Pa, and cousins, so our usual Entertainment is unavailable. I was grumping about that, planning a getaway nearby, maybe St. Louis Zoo or Art Museum, when it dawned on me that I haven’t been to our Hometown Zoo or Art Museum in quite a while, and have let my memberships lapse. Maybe I should avail myself of our nearby amenities before I go wandering off.
As I thought this over yesterday, I realized it’s been even longer since I strolled along the riverfront and took in a nice sunset, so we jumped up and drove downtown a little late, just catching the final drop…
My Awe as I watched Sun’s kiss good-night was cut short by the buzz of a boat engine as some Typical Eville river rat came careening into the ramp area, spraying a flume of water on the kids fishing, and roaring off…
*sigh* well, that’s my hometown…
I may put off the Zoo visit, but the Museum is a great area for viewing the fireworks, so I’m definitely going to renew my membership this week and will be there on the 4th, weather permitting. It’s predicted to be miserable, so I can practice my endurance sweating for the Disney marathon…
My #1 grandie, Emma, graduated from Trevor Day School in NYC on Thursday, June 13, 2024. All the feels were felt, intermingling and filling my heart until they overflowed my eyes. It was not a commencement like our local public school presents, no valedictorian or special honors, no keynote speaker, instead giving each student a chance to speak if they wanted to commit to preparation for six weeks prior to the ceremony. I think there were about ten or more speakers and I was prepared to settle in and snooze until Emma’s #6 oration. I did not snooze. These kids were so inspiring that by the time Emma spoke I was worried that she might not do as well!!! She showed up and was brilliant, truly the best, but put together with the others bolstered my confidence that these kids can change the world.
My NYC girls do soooo much Irish Dance that it seems sometimes that’s all they do. Emma took advantage of every opportunity that was afforded her at Trevor, (more stuff than I can possibly tell you because her mother (ahem) hasn’t send me the list) and was President of her Senior Class. She plans to study environmental something at Colgate University beginning this fall, perhaps becoming an environmental lawyer. She is awesome.
We are officially under the Dome of Heat. We have so enjoyed having the windows open, waking up to the swelling of the Dawn Chorus of birds, but have to give in and turn on the a/c. We’ll celebrate the Solstice this week, but somehow a bonfire doesn’t sound so fun.
A couple of months ago, I was conversing with my twin cousin about hair, complaining that I don’t like mine (never have) and wishing I could do something about it. She said, “yeah, that little Dutch Boy haircut isn’t doin’ you any favors.” I laughed, because we always laugh, but inside I was like, Wow! do I really look like the little Dutch Boy? I became quite hell-bent on letting my hair grow longer, although Ronna’s suggestion was to cut it short, and my vanity assured me that my longer tresses were rather princess-esque, In real life my hair just splits as it grows and last Thursday I had to get a deep cut.
You kids probably don’t remember Dutch Boy Paints, well-known for their Pure Lead Paint, whose logo/trademark was a popular figure back in my long-gone youngster days. I barely remembered, but felt a little uneasy when I googled the image… Later, while we were browsing an antique store in New Harmony, I came across a drum major hat for sale. When I donned the chapeau and checked the mirror, I realized…
OMG, I Do look like the Little Dutch Boy!!!
Might as well embrace it…
Friday was one of those perfect days of almost-summer: lots of sunshine and no humidity. We were watching the forecast, but ignored their warnings of rain on Saturday and loaded Goldie with some overnight rations, pjs, and drove up to New Harmony. Our first stop was at Wilson Auctions where we previewed their Saturday auction items. There wasn’t much we were interested in, though we did ponder buying the pink golf cart. From there we went down the street to the town clerk and rented a camping spot at the village’s sweet little Murphy Park. From our campsite we could walk all over town, and that’s what we proceeded to do.
While we enjoyed sitting in camp and watching some kids play for hours, we ended up walking “downtown” for lunch at the Yellow Tavern and on out to the Atheneum for the Firefly Festival. Turns out the Firefly Fest attracts quite a crowd, but honestly it was mostly local families who turned out for the Kid’s Korner of activities inside the building. There were two shuttles to drive folks down into the dark holler near the river to see the swarm of lightning bugs that live and play down there.
We hung around a little while and then strolled through the labyrinth, and the Peace Garden.
From the quiet of the gardens, we followed the sounds of music to the Red Geranium, where we caught the tail-end of a “band” called Headliners. After some cheesy fries and a Stella, we walked on back to camp.
I woke abut 7 am the next morning to the sound of rain, steady rain that went on for over an hour before letting up. We moseyed around before breaking camp, so we got to the Antiques Show just as they opened inside the Ribeyre Gym. The vendors outside were mostly still covered up from the rain, so we went over to the Library and bought some $1 books, and to the Farmers Market for some fresh zucchini. I bought a quilt from one of the vendors and we were done. This is the 22nd year for the Golden Raintree Antiques Show, but every year it gets smaller and smaller. New Harmony used to have two blocks of antique stores, but they are now down to three shops, and there’s a block on Church Street that is completely empty. If I were younger, I’d get something going there, but alas, I am not.
We spent an hour or so at the Auction House. Seeing how the prices at the auction were about an eighth of the prices at the Show, I don’t wonder why antiques don’t sell anymore. Admit it, Boomers, nobody thinks our old stuff is worth what we think it should be…
I’m cold! The clouds are supposed to clear out and let the sunshine in, but in the meantime I’m bundled up. The week ahead looks sunny, warm, and dry. Hope it’s nice in your neck of the woods.
School’s out and the Library Reading Program is on. Samantha and I went down to Central Library for their kick-off and got lots of cool swag. She has a busy month of STEM Camp and Archery, but we planned some overnights to finish up her piano book and prepare for our 2nd Jojo’s Academy of Music (JAM) recital.
We’re going to be busy, too. New Harmony has their annual Antiques Market on June 8-9. This year they’ve added a cruise-in on the 8th, and a Firefly Festival on the 7th-8th. The Festival sounds intriguing; it takes place along the bank of the Wabash River and we are promised we will see thousands of fireflies light up the sky. Question: Do they eat mosquitoes? because that sounds like a human blood fest for the skeeters. If the weather co-operates, we’ll take Goldie and camp nearby, so I’m going to be drenched in Off! anyway.
The wonderful WC Handy Blues and BBQ Festival is scheduled for June 12-15, with great live music every evening, and all day on Friday and Saturday. This fest has often been affected by weather events and we’ve not gone for a couple of years, so I’m hoping we can attend a couple of concerts.
That same week, on June 13, Emma graduates from Trevor Day School in NYC. She will be speaking, and I will be tuned in on zoom, no doubt crying my eyes out. My eyes are brimming over even as I write this. She continues to amaze me with her accomplishments.
There’s Fathers Day on the 16th, don’t forget. Summer Solstice on June 20 marks the Real Beginning of Summer and should be celebrated. I’m still on-call for Jury Duty and have been ordered to check in for a possible trial on the 21st, so I’ve left the following week open, just in case.
Right Now, we’re enjoying watching the Bird Families of all kinds as our resident cardinals, wrens, chickadees, and turkeys pass on their knowledge to their youngsters, teaching them how to take care of themselves. Two fawns have grown quite a bit since we first spotted them grazing in the meadow. There are three eggs in one of our three bluebird boxes and we’re watching carefully to see when they are hatched and then fledged. It makes me so happy to think we’ve been a part of keeping our feathered friends thriving.
Not my friends! are the dang chiggers, and there’s a bumper crop of them this year –even Casey is complaining! They have creatively found dark niches in my nether regions to stir up my itch response and I am at their mercy, especially at night. Wish the birds would eat the pesky mites…
Despite the perils of biting insects, the gardens keep me going, always needing something, though I might maybe have finished planting for now possibly. Click on over to the garden blog to see how it’s all growing.
Hope you Enjoy these last few weeks of Spring! Don’t forget the Bug Spray!!
I hurt my back while bringing in groceries on Thursday, but it seemed not-that-bad so I ignored it for a while, going about my business around the house. After I sat for a while, I was rocked with pain trying to get up, and it got worse from there. Long story short, I’ve been laid up on a heating pad for the last few days, taking good meds, and watching YouTube.
It’s a dark and gloomy day, not a good sign for the Indy 500, but we’ll probably tune in to see the latest track-drying equipment. They will need something like that at the cemeteries after this downpour moves on. I will get out to Mom and Dad’s mausoleum, but visit the graveyards on a drier day.
Sorry I can’t be more jolly, but if you need some cheering up, you can always click over to my Garden Blog — “No one can be un-cheered by a garden!” (Winnie-the-Pooh)
My grandma and grandpa raised nine kids in Grayville, IL, six girls and three boys, my mom being number seven. When they died in 1967-1969, they had 19 grandchildren, but four have passed now, leaving me with 14 cousins. Of those, I’m active friends with four, and those four are pretty darn important to me.
My cousin Jason, who had been in Hospice for about a year, died in his sleep sometime Tuesday morning. I picked up his sister, Kim, whose flight from Florida arrived Tuesday night at 10pm. and took her over to Grayville to her brother, Jeff’s house. That was the first of three roundtrip runs to my ancestral home over the next four days. The rain that had lingered over the last week finally cleared out on Friday, just in time for a private graveside service. The celebration at Jeff’s house spilled out into the yard, as friends gathered to remember Jason Scott Compton. His two sons and his grandbaby were also there, which choked me up a little, but mostly I enjoyed – and exhausted – myself. Funny how funerals bring people together.
My grandies have been being their gorgeous, entertaining selves. Emma went to her school’s Prom Saturday night. I literally gasped when Melissa posted these pictures! My mom always said, “pretty is as pretty does’ and this young lady both is and does.
This year’s Shannon’s School of Dance Recital was Saturday evening and Samantha did great! Nova took the pictures with my Nikon… I particularly like Samantha’s Queen-esque wave as they came out for curtain call!
I’m so ready to just sit out and watch my garden grow, getting up occasionally to weed or water. Having lost track of what day it was for a bit, I was shocked to see that next week-end is Memorial Day. I think we’re going to hit our usual graves, possibly add a new old cemetery up in Lancaster…sounds like another trip to Southern Illinois.
Hug all your People and let them know you Love them.
The News from Sonnystone Acres 