JULY 2026
Maine vacation - what a great time we had at the family lake house we call, Pleasant Hours. Randy’s family was there first, followed by Shannon’s family. It is so wonderful to have everyone there at one time if only a couple of hours.
Lots of trips around the lake on the SeaDoo. I took one ride with Randy, who went fairly slow and easy, but I held his life vest at the shoulders so hard that my hands were cramping! It was a little choppy, but not really bad. I can’t believe that I have become a scaredy cat now…
There has been an unbearable heat wave this week, limiting my desire to walk. I'd rather swim in the pool actually, but no-can-do without the stairs. Finally on July 4th, the stairs were put in and the pool was crystal clear - and swim we did after the Farmers Market.
Pool Party at Perry’s - PJ (15) and Ellie (8) celebrated their birthdays together. Perry and Lin sure know how to throw a party. They made so much delicious food and had pizza’s brought in too. Then two birthday cakes. There had to be 40 people there including parents of the kids. We were happy that Rich’s sister, Eileen and Steve came.
Pledge to Self - I woke up today and decided on this, the first day of the rest of my life, I wanted to commit to sorting, purging, donating stuff each and every day. (True confessions - that worked for about a week. Now it is more like once a week.)
So I opened the doors to a little bookcase that I stored children’s books and crafts for the grandkids when they were young. Then I made a decision about each item and filled a cardboard box with beautiful kids books that I hoped could find a new home. It turns out that Kristie and the girls stopped for a swim with her sister, Robin. Her son and daughter-in-law are expecting a girl any day now. She looked at each book and took them all. Soooooo happy about that.
Another treasure found was the programs and photos from Earth Angels Musicals which I participated in for 5 years. It was 25ish years ago, but the memories are still strong. The entire cast and crew were dedicated to put on a very professional musical show and take it on the road to various schools and theaters throughout Berkshire County and Eastern New York. We raised XXX money for local charities. Jim and Gail Morrison were the brains behind this project - amazing talent and creativity! Jim is my choir director at church…
Yarn Overload - Got into my closet of yarn, pulled it out and put everything on the dining room table to see what’s what. I held out a few skeins for me to work with. Friends at church are looking for yarn for the Prayer Shawl Knitting Group. Come on down and help yourself.
After they left, I still had quite a bit left for Kristie’s mom who is diligently making lap blankets for Vets.
If you remember I made a soft green blanket for Zachary as he requested. Well, it seems that Miss Maci, the poodle, enjoys the comfort of that blanket too. So I made a big granny square for her very own blanket.
Next day I started getting into old tax records that can be pitched. Filled the shredder and still have more to go. Will probably get into one of the bedrooms next.
Went to Perry’s for another pool birthday party… He and Lin have this party thing down! They are such good cooks and entertainers. Perry made a ground pork stir fry with fried tofu and home grown basil and pea pods. Lin made her lumpia (hand made spring rolls) and adobo chicken with hard boiled quail eggs on rice. Nora’s appetizer was a caprese salad and bruschetta with ripe red tomatoes and fresh mozzarella drizzled with balsamic and olive oil. I made a chocolate cake with chocolate pudding/cool whip frosting.
Happy Birthday to Rich!❤️
Got the Motorhome registered in Massachusetts which will save a lot of money on insurance. And because it is 2018, Massachusetts’ Excise tax is only on 10% of the MFR Value. Now - Let’s go camping!
We have been in the pool every day this week to beat the heat. Feels terrific!
Well, the Clark men are putting us through the wringer with injuries:
Jacob’s right patella (knee cap) popped out again at a football scrimmage (Dr. appt with specialist orders an MRI). It is his senior year in high school and he has been working out to beat the band all summer. Now this!
Zachary scraped his shin slipping on the diving board…
David took a spill on his bike a fractured a rib! Oy!
Moving Day in Whitehall, NY - Nora and family have relocated to Binghamton for her nursing job. They have taken lots of stuff, but still have lots more to be removed for niece Emma to move in. It was actually a very productive day with this moving crew…
Rich, Nora, Tracy, Nora, Chris, Perry, PJ, Emma and Kegan. Bob Petorti (neighbor) stopped over to supervise.
Rich and I got there at 9am - mowed the lawn and power washed the shaded side of the house. When the “movers” arrived, I held a lot of doors for them and carried light boxes in and out. The first thing Nora handed to me was a beautiful vase with dried hydrangeas in it. She looked me in the eye and said, “My mom picked these!” Oh sure, so I get to carry the most sacred item in the house! So glad I made it without incident…
As Emma-stuff was going in the front door, Nora-stuff was going out the back door. We were out of there by 1pm though exhausted. It was a fruitful day and we send best wishes to all in their new abodes.
CAMPING AT LAST IN DORSET, VT! After a multitude of things gone wrong with the motorhome, aka Road Runner, we are ready to hit the road for a short trip with Perry and his family. Story to follow in next months blog…
