Day 531: Eagle Bay Hosta Garden

I didn't want to miss the cacti at peak bloom at Eagle Bay Hosta Garden.  We visited this afternoon while the sun was out and I was able to get fabulous photos.

Day 530: Fallen tree

The sun finally came out about 4:30 this afternoon and I was able to take a few photos.  There's no way we could work in the yard, so we got lots done inside.  

Day 529: Dahlia, Lantana and Stella

Dahlia and lantana

Stella

One of our favorite summer activities is a friendly game of dominoes.  Sitting at Mary's picnic table, we chatter away while the tiles stack and clink.  I won and Steve grumbles that I always win, but it just seems that way.  We haven't gotten together to play since Christmas vacation.  Unfortunately, the mosquitos started biting around 9:00 and chased us home.

While we were working in the birdbath garden this afternoon, we heard a loud snap in the woods, then another and then a huge crash.  One of the ancient willows along the creek split in half, clipped off branches from one of our maples and fell into our yard.  The tree belongs to the neighbors, but the mess is on our property.  It's far too large of a job for our little 16 inch chain saw.  We'll have to talk with the neighbors to figure out a solution.  

Day 528: Board Presentation

Mike began the presentation to the Board of Education with a short powerpoint that captured the essence of Quest.  He started by talking about the four relationships that are the essence of the group dynamics in a successful expedition.  Individual to group, individual to individual, group to individual and group to group.  We teach a full lesson in our classes so that students understand the principles in practice.  He focused on the commitments that the parents and students make and how much dedication is required from each to make participation possible.

He provided highlights of our activities from each of the hikes and talked about what skills the kids learn.  I especially liked the mention of playing like kids should.  It's interesting to hear someone else talk about what Quest means to them and why they think its important.  I know that Mike loves it and he is a different person while we are hiking.   Much like Mark, he has a serious job and is often stuck at a desk.  Quest is a release and a renewal, a chance to reconnect with children and others who share the same values.  We value the same principals, but whenever we speak, we also concentrate on the environmental education element.  He concluded with a student's statement about how she had been skeptical about our claims, but then experience taught her that we were right.  She is hopeful about the future and that her class will treat each other differently and she is so glad that she did Quest.

Then Shane Murphy spoke about what Quest meant to him.  He told the story of how he connected to his cook group leader, Peter.  Pete guided him and became his mentor once Shane moved into high school.  Whenever he had a problem, he knew he could turn to Pete.  He encapsulated the importance of having high school student leaders.

My turn came and I talked about all the people in the community who support Quest and donate their services.  We have 33 private landowners who continue to grant us permission to cross their property and they do this because we teach the kids low impact hiking and how to treat private property with respect.

I tried to convey to them how important Lee's and Dave's contributions were.  They were the visionaries and planners.  We have been the beneficiaries of their early efforts, research and dedication.

We are so grateful that the Boards of Ed. have said YES for many years!   All their predecessors on the previous boards and in the administration offered support. They recognized the importance of outdoor education and validated the principle that valuable learning can take place outside of the walls of the school.  They were willing to take the risks.

Mike followed up with a series of my photos that Steve narrated.  Then little Questy arrived for a visit.  I like that Questy's rescue represents more solid values and is now the mascot for Brocton and Fredonia.

The day was damp and humid and the yard is swampy.  I decided to paint the two park benches and it took about four hours.  Tomorrow, I hope to get back to weeding and potting plants.

Before 

After

It's lime green!

Clematis

Day 527: Classmates

Our monthly class dinner event!  Ever since we started planning our class reunion nearly two years ago, we have been meeting.  It's always a wonderful time, though I have trouble hearing the conversation cause everyone is talking at the same time.  Tonight, ten classmates met at Liberty Cafe to visit and have supper.  We keep spreading the word to get new people to join in.

It rained again today and kept us from finishing the gardens, but there's plenty of work to do.  Steve power washed the front porch, stairs and the outdoor furniture.  I weeded, trimmed and then sanded down the park benches in preparation for painting.  

Day 526: Post wedding party

The bride, her mom and friends clowning for the camera

Our newlyweds are not leaving for their honeymoon until tomorrow, so they stayed around to enjoy their out-of-town guests one more day.  They began the day with a trip to the Sky Zone to bounce around on trampolines and play dodge ball.  What a great way to blow off the tensions and formality of the wedding day.  Then, they gathered at mom's house to for a picnic as a send off and good-bye to friends from far away.  

A young lupine

My potting area

Nine containers are now complete!  Steve was off doing fund drive for the fire department and I got to plant and arrange container gardens, one of my favorite things.  It was warm and sunny so I decided to check the pool.  What a mess it was after days of rain, millions of maple seeds and locust fluff.  It was  difficult because the water is much deeper now, so we scrubbed and scrubbed.  Now it's ready for a week of swimming! 

Day 525: Emily and Adam get married

Kathy, Andy and Kristy

Don and Emily walking down the aisle

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Olka!

Emily and Adam

Sylvain's daughters as flower girls

Too late and tired to write tonight!