Day 547: Weekend over

The kids left the first thing this morning on their long trip back to NYC.  They said that everyone wept with joy at Leah and Heather's wedding and they were so glad they had made the effort to come.

I was determined to swim a mile today and finally completed it about 3:30, although it was difficult.  The grand total for May was 1.6 miles and in June I did 7.7 miles.  That is nearly two miles short of last year's performance so I have to step up the pace in July.  Now that the garden tour is over, more of our time can go into biking, walking, swimming and sleeping!

Karen Sue

Molly K

Nano Probe

Penny Kelly

Day 546: Garden Tour

At least 125 people toured our gardens today.  Some were old friends that we hadn't seen in years, but most were out of town visitors or folks we did not know.  A few people took home baby moon flowers and lavender with them.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the gardens.

Rain fell hard overnight, but cleared this morning while we were deadheading.  Steve was out to Brocton again during the night because someone thought they saw a person fall in the rushing creek.  No one was discovered, fortunately, but it took hours to confirm that.  

April and Colin looked fabulous when they departed for Heather and Leah's wedding.  When I saw the posting of Leah and Heather smiling gloriously, walking down the aisle, both in white gowns, I burst into tears.  They are so happy and just two years ago, their wedding would have been illegal.

Day 545: Kids are home!

Two days with kids under our roof!  Even though they will be busy with the wedding and we will be busy with the tour, it is so wonderful to have them home for a while.  We had dinner together at Wing City cause April can't find good wings in NYC.   Then we dashed home for strawberry and raspberry shortcake, her favorite.  Quiet, Colin says, it's so quiet here.  I ask him about work.  When he joined Lindsey's design firm, he was the seventh employee, now two years later, they have 18.  Tonight they are off to see friends and revel in their old haunts.  They are happy in their lives and that makes us so very happy for them.


Steady rain fell most of the day here in Fredonia, but other communities were swamped.  Steve spent hours in Brocton helping to evacuate a trailer park because a creek had overflowed it banks and cut folks off from the main road.  Rain kept me from puttering in the garden, but I still managed to capture several beautiful images.

Chautauqua Cha Cha in raindrops

Pink lily in raindrops

Our kids

Red Rum in the rain

Day 544: Quest party

The second lily of 2013

The Quest party was tonight.  Although it was a small turn out, we had a lovely time.  We watched both the 2009 and 2010 videos to see our juniors and seniors when they were in 8th grade.  Colin produced both of  the videos and they are beautifully composed.   He made excellent music choices that really fit the action.  

Tomorrow, he and April will be home for Heather and Leah's wedding.  We can't wait to see them!  They are taking a bus, so we will pick them up at the airport and have dinner together.  We haven't had a meal together with them since February.  I miss the banter and laughter that takes place around the table.  It feels like there is a piece missing from my heart.    

Day 543: Marriage Equality

Much of the nation is celebrating tonight because the Supreme Court ruled both DOMA and Prop 8 unconstitutional by votes of 5-4!  We are so happy!  For DOMA, the four liberals and Justice Anthony Kennedy were in the majority.  But for Prop 8, a strange alliance of Breyer, Ginsburg, Kagan, Roberts and Scalia formed the majority and said that case was improperly before the court. That ruling then permits same sex marriage to resume in California.  


The historic decisions will have a profound long term impact on life in the US.  Although the rulings do not extend marriage equality to all states, the decisions set a principle that will permit other plaintiffs to challenge laws in the other 37 states.   Discrimination is crumbling legally, although there is still work to do.

The finished patio!

The entire yard is ready and I really wish the tour was today.  

The first day lily of 2013

Japanese iris 

Day 542: Little Blue Bug

We made huge progress on the last few details of preparation.  Steve gave our little blue bug a face lift by adding red and black spots to the blue background.  I finished all the potting and planting, cleared the patio and put all the tools away.  Plus, I mowed the entire yard again.  Then swam 100 lengths.  And grocery shopped.  Sunday will be a day of relaxation and no gardening!

The best part of the day was book club at Kate's.  We read Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss, who won the Pulitzer Prize.  Very few of us finished reading, but benefitted tremendously from the reading and discussion.    The book focuses on how food manufacturers hook us by adding sugar, salt and fat to foods so that we become addicted.  Our society is increasingly mobile, preoccupied and busy, we have become a nation of grazers.  Families don't cook as much as when we were growing up or even when we were raising our children.  Rather than eating three healthy meals, people bounce from snacks to convenience foods, to take out.   It's no wonder that obesity is epidemic!

Kate always creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere so stories start pouring out.  After a few folks left, Pam mentioned that she hadn't seen any bats lately.  That comment unleashed a dozen hysterical bat stories.

Years ago, when Justin was about fifteen, a bat flew in the back door, swooped around living room, then disappeared into the space between the log wall and the ceiling.  I figured there was nothing we could do until it reappeared.  The next evening, we were sitting on the sofa watching tv, waiting for its inevitable reappearance.  Suddenly, the bat flew out from between the couch cushions that I was sitting on.  It zoomed around and around but it was so high that we couldn't get close to it.  I finally sent the boys to bed and closed myself in the bedroom to read.  Where was Steve?  Not home.

Not long afterward, I heard a scratching sound and the bat found its way into the bedroom by creeping along a log.  It flapped around the room just over my head.  I ducked under the covers and called for Justin.  When it paused for a rest I darted out of the room and we hatched a plan.  

I was afraid it would scratch or bite us or get caught in our hair.    We donned rain coats, grabbed  badminton racquets and put laundry baskets over our heads.  Then we reentered the room, opened the window and swung madly at the poor bat.  We got laughing so hard that we threw caution to the wind and took off the baskets.   Finally, the bat must have sensed the cool air and flew outside.

On a serious note, the Supreme Court ruled today that Section Five of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is unconstitutional by a vote of 5-4.  John Roberts justified the ruling by writing that the country has changed.  Certainly not enough!  There was a huge uproar this weekend when General Mills released a Cherrios commercial that featured an interracial couple.

Two hours after the ruling was announced., Texas acted to limit the voting right of minorities.

Tomorrow, the ruling on DOMA and Prop 8 is due.  Millions are holding their collective breath.

Little Blue Bug

Potted, waiting to be positioned.

Day 541: Finishing details

The super moon was a dazzling sight to behold.  We opened the front door and there it was!

We zipped up to Buffalo to take care of the last few details for Saturday and the reunion.  We picked up four of the plastic adirondack chairs to place around the yard.  They look terrific.

The pool was up to 82 degrees, the perfect temperature.  I was able to swim 150 lengths, so I should sleep soundly tonight!

Day 540: FHS Graduation 2013

Jon Cole performed beautifully on the marimba

Maura Heary McDonald and her oldest son presented an award in memory of her father, Tom Heary.

Tom was our beloved high school principal for nearly twenty years.  He died of leukemia at age 54.

Kiel Mead, our keynote speaker, hit just the right note of humor, practical advice and a thoughtful reflection on the importance of building community.  At age 29, he is incredibly successful.  He was on  the Forbes List of 30 under 30 to watch, partly for his designs, but also because he has built the American Design Club, which is a collaborative effort to promote artists.  Kiel spoke about how the community came together to support his family when his dad was suffering from ALS.  I always knew he was pretty special, but of course had no idea how he would direct his energies.  In fact, that's what he spoke about.  He didn't know exactly what direction he would take 11 years ago when he graduated.  I think of him and Colin hanging out in our basement, playing games and creating crazy stories.  

School Board members, Kiel and Supt. DiFonzo

Day 539: Finished Gardens

Patio garden

Front Walk

Steve touching up the mulch 

Back deck gardens

At 3:00, we finished the gardens!  A tiny pile of mulch, out of 13 yards,  remains for touch ups.  Steve even mowed today in case the rain this week prevents us from mowing again.  Now, if the deer leave the plants untouched and the weeds don't sprout too much, we are set.  Eight more containers remain to be filled and distributed.  The forecast is for rain every day, but I am hopeful that we'll have a decent crowd and the Opera House will raise substantial funds.  

Our two senior student leaders are graduating tomorrow and of course, their parties were at exactly the same time today.  Jake and Reed have been important members of the Quest team. Both are very bright, capable and personable.  We wish them much happiness and success.

Day 538: Summer Solstice

Fabulous first day of summer!  Twelve hours outside, pool was 78, swam 100 lengths, more planting and mulching, finished up with ice cream at the pier and a Die Hard movie!

Masts on the rippling lake at the Dunkirk Pier

Sum and substance

Day 537: Sidesteps

So Steve painted the wood preservative on the side steps and while he was at it, he did half the logs on the west side.   They were worn and graying so we knew we had to do it sometime this summer, but now it's done.  I painted the foundation and the small steps the color of peanut shells.   One or two days of serious gardening and then on to decorating.

Tonight we got an email from a woman in Forestville asking how she can get her three eighth graders into Quest.  We have often thought it would be good to include another small school, but there would be so many complications!  And so much more work!  Somehow we must train new leaders.

Pink Snapdragons

Side steps

Toady

Day 536: Retirement Party

Four old friends are retiring this June.

Jim has been counting the days for the last two years and has just two left.  For twenty-four years, according to Andy, he's been cleaning up puke, pee and poop.  But beyond that, he's been teaching kids how to be good school citizens.  Wipe your shoes when you enter the building, pick up after yourselves, throw trash in the correct bins, help out whenever you can.  I love the way Andy always focuses on the positive contributions each staff member offers, no matter what their role.  He said, and I agree, that there are no menial jobs when it comes to serving the needs of children.  

For forty years, Judy has taught typing and resume preparation, collected and interpreted data, made up schedules, recorded grades and verified them.  What a treasure she has been!  She always watched out for the most vulnerable kids, the kids on the verge of dropping out, the transients, foster kids.  Calm, steady and focused, Judy kept track of a million details.  I remember when Evan was searching for colleges.  The guidance counselor recommended some top universities, but we knew we couldn't afford the Ivy League.  It was Judy who told me that they often offered generous scholarships so that the cost would be comparable to a state college.

Marsha has been a first grade teacher for thirty years.  Caring, loving, silly, passionate, dedicated and gentle, Marsha did everything she could for her little ones.  All of her children were my students years ago and they were wonderful also.  She's really excited because she got a job at the college teaching literacy.  Those prospective teachers are really fortunate.

Nearly thirty years ago, I was on the hiring committee to select a new guidance counselor and we picked Mike.  He's low key, but a fierce advocate for kids.  He didn't take any crap from anyone.  I had all four of his kids and loved them all.

The party was a great way to cap off a busy day of working like crazy!  The back deck is fully preserved and the crescent garden is completely finished!

Before

All finished!

Crescent garden

Day 535: Delphinium delights

Delphinium

Pink daisies

No deep thoughts today.  It was all about making progress in the yard.  With only ten days left till the garden show, I think we'll make it.  The final fifty feet of the border garden was raked, weeded, tilled and planted.  I transplanted shrubs, lilies and iris and then added a dozen new perennials.  Then we moved on to the birdbath garden and completely finished it!  Only two gardens and fifteen pots left to do.  

When I was spraying the liquid fence, I discovered that the deer are eating the tops of the stella d'oro lilies, the rose bush and the liatris.  Why?  With all the luscious greenery around the area, why come up close to the house to eat a few flowers?  

Tomorrow, Steve is going to finish putting preservative on the back deck and I'm going to paint the foundation.  The annual retirement party is at Merritt Winery and we will honor a few esteemed colleagues.  We have had two losses this year and it will be good to reconnect with friends we haven't seen in a year.      

Day 534: Footprints Award

Our dear friend Ellen nominated us to receive the George Weaver Footprints Award from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation for community service.   It was particularly meaningful because George Weaver was a classmate and close friend of Steve's mom, Betty.  We were honored today with a lovely reception attended by many of our beloved friends. They had made a beautiful video that included photos, videos and tributes from Ellen, Margaret, Kurt, Kathy, Colin and Evan.  It was beautiful!  We are so very grateful to all who contributed their time and effort to the project and those who support our work with kids.

I wish our sons could have attended, but some of our "adopted" children filled in for them.  Unfortunately, we did not get a photo of Ellen!

Vince, Alycia, me, Steve and Annie

Me and my brother Steve

Kathy

Annie and Amy

Iris in the Stockton Village Park

Blue Iris

Day 533: Flat tire

Kathy's flat tire created a huge complication for our overnight hike since we had no cell phone service.  Mike and Susan had to drive her to a neighboring house to use their phone to get AAA.  It took 90 minutes for the service to show up and replace the tire.  The whole crew had tried to change the tire late last night when she discovered it, but the lug nuts were stripped.  

It was a relaxing trip, though, with lots of quiet visiting and laughter.  

Day 532: Minister Creek

Mike and Kathy exploring a cavern

Ferns

Climbing rock stairs

I need help identifying this bird!