James shared

It's Thursday. But last Sunday James did one of his things. A few days before was the longest day of the year - the summer solstice. He had found this hiking group on the internet he had never gone with but decided to sign up for this event - to see the sunrise over the James River.

The alarm rang at 3 am. He left the house at 3:40. Met the others (8 of them making it 9 with him) at 4:24 am to head out.

Not the best sunrise photo ever but James thought it was a nice event nevertheless.

The group leader of the event took this photo and shared it. Needless to say that he was not in it.

Pottystop! The organizer is the gentleman second person on the left.

About 10 miles done. About 8 am.

James was home in time to take a shower and for us to go to the 10 am service as usual. Ha-ha, I almost had gone to the early service. Good thing I was too slow to get myself going. 

Great experience!

This and that

I probably will write that in installments (between working on our monthly church newsletter).

There is not really that much to report but as I said about my last blog: life is about the little things. The Colonial Lacemakers changed their monthly meeting to be on a Thursday this time and yes, I could attend. The meeting was in Williamsburg and Christina comes from even further away, almost driving past so offered to pick me up. I had my things in this bag ... bought in Cuba. Oh, the memories.

And I had a minute to look at my flowers. Where are the geraniums? There should be 5 overflowing the pot right now. The hail, rain, and more hail and more rain really beat on them. Sigh.

The meeting was at Carolyn's and I remember having seen - and admired longingly - her kitchen garden. Should I put it on my Christmas wishlist? We had a large pot one year outside with a steady supply of salad and I loved it. But salad doesn't like to grow outside in summer in this heat. Yes, I loved it. This is hydro-culture. 

On Friday we helped Sarah out. She had been scheduled to work in the afternoon but had to change to the morning and had no nanny for that time. There was a break in the rain and we went for a walk. Unfortunately I had to leave them after a while and return to the house. My knee is just not letting me.

I am sick of being a couch potato. Saturday I suggested to James to go to the VMFA. There is always a special exhibition to see. 

But first we had lunch downstairs. It's a cafeteria and we sat outside. Very nice.

The exhibition was about Napoleon and more interesting than we expected, ha-ha. I really was impressed with this panorama done with pencil and gouache. And we always like to read the signs.

There was a lot to see. Not so much about Napoleon himself but people around him and the lifestyle. James called me over to see this! The explanation why some pieces in the family silver have the emblem engraved on the "backside". Looks like we laid the table wrong all these years. Forks and spoons are laid the other way!

Later, when we had coffee on the back porch, we got visited by this guy. Probably 4 feet long he (or she?) came all the way to the edge of the concrete and raised its head. Almost cute, really. Unfortunately I could not get a photo fast enough. When I got up to look it was gone REALLY fast. And I didn't mean bad.

Sunday we had to go "over the river" for me to get an MRI on my knee at 5 pm. Since we were there anyway we stopped to see the kids afterwards. Caleb insisted for us to stay and have hotdogs for dinner. What grandparent can refuse?

Tuesday we saw them again to say good-bye. We brought dinner over to their house. These were the vegetable sides: zucchini pizza. Slice zucchini in half. Brush some oil on. Some seasoning like oregano if desired, spaghetti sauce (which usually has enough seasoning) and cheese on top. Bake at 400' for 20 minutes. I liked it very much. Sarah would like the zucchini sliced a little thinner. We could try slicing rounds to make appetizers.

Yuck! Don't like to find things like this in the bathroom at bedtime, just the body about 2 inches. What the heck is it? James took care of it.

Today, Wednesday, I had a 9 am appointment with my Ortho doctor. He looked at the MRI and we were told that the arthritis had progressed but I had also meniscus tears. Actually, there are two menisci in each knee and both are torn in my left one. I was told it depends on me whether I can live with it or have an arthroscopic "clean up". Since the tears are most likely degenerative at my age, a repair is probably not possible. He also told me that I don't have to do anything special because I can't make it worse. For the pain I will consult my pharm dr daughter.

Now, time to pack the suitcase. William is waiting.

Back to Normal?

When you had a great trip and immediately great company, it's strange to suddenly have an "empty nest". But, of course, one needs to try to get back to normal (whatever normal is).

Oh my, the weeds!!!

Instead of weeding it is much nicer to get Caleb for a swim in the club house pool. We told the Nanny to text us when the twins were down for their nap. We didn't want them upset if they saw us going off with their brother. The children's pool hours are not ideal ... but we are a 55+ community.

He has a lot of energy. Look at this VIDEO  (1:15) It's only a short sample how he wore Papa out. And he wore himself out too.

When we brought him home in the car he asked: "Did I have a nap today?"  -No!-

And a second later he was fast asleep. I actually thought he had passed out. And I sat next to him on the back seat and there was nothing I could do. When we got to their house, Mommy woke him with a kiss and he started smiling with closed eyes.

Sunday - Father's Day

James got a text while we were still in church - - would you like to come for dinner?

Well, I hoped I was invited too, ha-ha. Homemade pizza and the children helped. Sarah does better than any pizzeria.

The children sure like their bath.

And Colin always wants to help. Here he is scrubbing his brother. Just decided to do it.

Wednesday seems to have been "animal day". I had a quilter's meeting in the evening and look who wanted to take my parking spot.

When I came home and walked from the kitchen to the living room I saw a little head on the upper window sill. I took a closer look. Our friend from previous years (or child or grandchild) is back.

James is taller and doesn't need to be on the top step to take a photo.

And lastly ... so often somebody tells me they would love to comment but can't. The computer defaults on google but if you don't have a google account or are not signed in click the arrow next to it. You will see options and you can choose "Anonymous". But make sure you write your name as a comment so that I know has commented.

 Of course I love comments. Even critical ones. Looking forward to your opinions.

British visit Day 6-8

Saturday June 9

A doing this and that kind of day. James and David went first to the 8 am breakfast of the St Martin's men. Kate had read some of my blogs and found out that when they had visited 5 years ago David had gone with James to the St Martin men's first ever breakfast. How about that?

Before returning they had dropped in to Harbor Freight next door to Nick's because David loves tools. He makes beautiful things from wood and actually found something to buy. Kate rolled her eyes but I certainly understand since I love my sewing gadgets.

David and James also tried to find out how our sliding door screen could be fixed. It was put in by the builder and is a make not available any longer. David was quite frustrated. He loves to fix.

In the afternoon the BBC Trooping of the Colours had to be watched. The Queen's official birthday. It was fun to see. The weather has certainly been very benevolent in England ... the royal wedding ... this birthday event ... it couldn't have been any better.

We were supposed to be at Sarah's around 5:30 pm. Sarah and Wade wanted to take Caleb to the Squirrel's baseball game and Kate and Dave were interested in going too since they had never been to one. It's not a sport in England. They kept talking that children play something called rounders. Here is more info about it.

The 5 left soon. James and I baby sat the twins. To make parting easier we put them in the stroller to walk around the block which they love. They were a bit cranky. Unfortunately we had not known which direction they would drive and they passed us. Can you believe that the twins recognized the car and called "Mommy, Mommy"? To me one car looks much like another. There are not that many different colors.

But soon they were happy again especially after we had given them supper. That went even better then usual. 

And then we really played. Fun!

They even cleaned up. Look at this VIDEO!

We got news from the ball field. They loved it. It was a double header and the Squirrels won the first.

Kate and Dave had the real American experience. Double header, hot dogs, extra inning, fire works.

Oh yes, and the Virginia heat. We were a bit worried about Dave so I had quickly sewed "coolers" for him and Kate after lunch. You soak it in water and then hang it around your neck. Amazing how it works and they loved it. Amazing how long it keeps you cool too but doesn't make you wet. I keep forgetting about it. I had written the pattern probably 20 years ago for a girl scout troop fundraiser. 

The twins were in bed. Time was moving along. It started to rain and we wondered about the games. Sarah had been sure that they would not stay for the second game and that there would not be fireworks either.

There would be fireworks and Caleb was eager to see it. Kate said there was lots of it and went on forever. Obviously they had fun even if "our" team lost the second game. They arrived home at about 10:30 pm with a sleeping Caleb carried in by Wade. 

Well, just as they arrived the sky opened to a tremendous downpour. We didn't know how to leave. Finally James ventured to get our car as close as possible to the open garage door and we hopped in one at a time. I had tried to take a photo from the front door but it shows nothing. Just a reminder.

Poor James had a difficult drive home, sneaking along barely more then 30 mph on the highway. Finally arrival at home and a generous nightcap was in order. 

Everybody had fun. Everybody happy. Lovely day.

Sunday June 10

Church day. We had only missed two Sundays in our church but it is always nice to be told to have been missed like we had been gone for months. Afterwards there was more than the usual coffee hour. A reception for this year's graduates. There was a lot of food including savory. All four of us like to talk with people and when we got home we didn't need lunch. 

It was fun but sorry,

no photos.

We sat around and talked a lot ... family events ... previous visits ... etc. Wished we had blogs from years ago because some things we could not figure out like in which house had we lived when they visited and we all went to the Smokey Mountains?

Kate and I decided we had to walk at least one time around the block since we had sat and talked a lot. Saw a kingfisher but could not get any closer. It didn't look like kingfishers I had seen before so we had to google about it. Such a great tool.

5ish we went to Sarah and Co. again. Of course we played with the children first. When the twins were in bed we had dinner. Sarah and Wade had made all the trimmings for fajitas and everybody fixed their own. So much good stuff. And I had already nibbled too much on the bean dip and the home-smoked salmon. Wade sure knows how do do that. I couldn't believe when he said it even had come out of their freezer. So good.

And yes "pudding". Apple dumplings ...

... and vanilla ice-cream. 

Helen and William just called to FaceTime when we got into the car to go home. They wanted to wish Kate and David a safe trip home (Kate and I were on the backseat). So sweet.

Monday June 11

All good things come to an end. D-Day (departure day). Packing time. Got my food saver (sucker) machine out. The tobacco is sealed so the clothes in the suitcase don't take the strong aroma. Years of experience!

It was somehow a gray and dingy day so I made my Turkish lentil soup for lunch. It was well received. I asked David to make custard one more time to enhance the cranberry bars. Ah, everything so bittersweet.

At 4 pm we left the house for the airport.

Bye-bye! Have a save trip home. 

And the rest of the story:

We heard that their plane was delayed and they missed their connection in Chicago. The airline gave them taxi, hotel and food vouchers. Now they are having a day flight home.