Past and Present

I have a friend who has been laboring over organizing old family pictures to put in an album so people will know who they were later (even though no one knows who most of them are now). Her sister was visiting one day when she was doing that and trying to help, but then said,

"you know mother was our age once and had all the time in the world to do this and figure out who these people were but did she?....no .... she just sat around and went out to eat and on cruises....They both burst out laughing."

Way back in this blog, I started talking about family so some of the information would be available to future generations, then I got....sidetracked with my own life. I'll get back to it again and add to family stories, but some of us could get obsessive about that sort of thing. I will live my life and reflect on that as the mood hits me. This will continue to randomly cover past and present.

By the way, my life has been getting back into the swing of school and all that is involved in organizing info for 40-50 students at 6 locations (down from 60 at 10 last year). I also have decided to treat myself to thorough housecleaning 2 times a month. Let's face it--even when I'm home thorough housecleaning does not happen near that often. I have been asked to review a chapter about Response to intervention in a college text this month as well. Our Marian Educational Outreach Board had a wonderful meeting last night, and I am so excited about the Differentiated Instruction and training going on in the Catholic Schools, which I love serving. I will also become a CASA (Court appointed special advocate) volunteer and train in either Sept or January, although I will start attending monthly in-service meetings. Early Childhood Development Coalition Literacy and Family Involvement committees continue to do great things to move the cause forward. Meetings have not recently been when I could attend, but I hope to get back into it soon. I just got our church shut in list updated with contact members and will have 1 or 2 co-chairs to brain storm with on new ideas.

Anyway, that is why I haven't posted about family, food, or fun lately.

Good News!

Our formerly ostracized duck seems to have been accepted back into the fold. I have felt so bad for him all summer. Every time he would get close, one mean duck would chase him away. I had noticed lately that they were allowing him to hang out in closer proximity, and he kept pushing the envelope. The new theory is that weak, sick, or injured ducks are ostracized to protect the blood line in breeding. As it became apparent that this duck was no longer injured, they let him back into the group. I'm so happy for the lonely little guy.

Anyway, they are at it again--the birdfeeder. Perhaps it is good for them to clean the hulls on the ground as they benefit from some of the good whole sunflower seeds. (We have found that all the birds love these).

They think I can't see them.

Running away when they realized I could see them.

Im still have not been able to catch a picture of Bob (short tailed squirrel) and his persistent quest for the hanging birdfeeder. He attempted to remount the bird feeder as I repeatedly chased him away because the rule is squirrels have to eat from the ground. He got it twirling and swinging and had to keep trying from various hilarious poses on the fence to jump in. It was too funny watching to leave to get my camera.

Also, no sign of baby turtles yet. I have thought this would be the best time for them since the moon is full and the reflection on the lake is bright. Supposedly, some beaches where sea turtles hatch instruct residence to turn off outside lights and close curtains so baby turtles don't get confused about what direction they should go.

This is not one of the baby turtles we are watching for. It did get your attention though. We spotted turtles laying eggs the last weekend in May, and supposedly incubation and a possible week underground should make us in the window of their possible appearance. I feel quite sure we won't get to witness this, but will keep our eyes open and take photos if we do.

Darby Weekly News

Action photo: runnin' and chasin' with Maggie around the boat

Just playin' and sniffin'

Remember when I wouldn't go in past my legs. Sometimes I swim with only the top of my head and nose out.

Pictures of just my head look like a black blob though.

I hope your having fun, but I bet I'm having more!

The Bounty will be plentiful

Now that school is starting, and I will not have as much time on my hands--I suspect the garden will start producing and be difficult to keep up with.

Here is our first corn on the cob--and plenty more ready to pick. It is delicious corn. It is called SILVER QUEEN and actually more white than yellow in color.

Freezing whole ears (with husk and silks off, of course) is suppose to work very well.

Our first mess of green beans, which to me is as good as candy.

I may have some to freeze since the more you pick the more you get.

It looks we may have tons of cucumbers. Now where is my freezer bread and butter pickle recipe that I used oh so many years ago. I will have to also make some kosher dills.

Oh yeah, and when will I have time for all this with school starting???

Ninth Annual PIG Trip

Six little piggies went to St. Louis.

The seventh piggy had to stay home :(

These little piggies laughed, ate, and shopped.

These little piggies had fun.

Then they went wee, wee, wee all the way home.

Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis

Connie playing the roll of the queen.

Are those PIGS riding on sheep?

It's hard to tell which flowers are the prettiest.

Blueberry Hill

How many PIGS will fit in a photo booth--apparently 5 with only 3 actually showing in the pic.

Rooftop at our hotel

And after that, Debbi can win the backbend contest

Historic St. Charles, Mo.

Cindy peeks out from under chairs and packages in the third seat

after a day shopping with Carol, Deb, and Marcy more comfortable.

Pi (the math sign, not the food) Pizza in Delmar in the Loop

Marcy thinking we might need these since

we might not be able to fit everything and everyone in the car

to announce the location of trip number 10 in 2010, let's review

Years 1, 2, and 3 in Nashville, Tennessee with side trips to Franklin and lots of shopping

Years 4, 5, and 6 in Chicago, Illinois right along Michigan Avenue including a train ride to Michigan City to shop at an outlet mall the first year and some went to plays every year.

Years 7 and 8 in St. Charles, Illinois at the historic Baker Hotel providing transportation to all locations including the train station for a short ride to Chicago for the day and to the Outlet Mall in Aurora for good shopping. Notice the common thread here?

Year 9 was this year to St. Louis with trips to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, Historical St. Charles (we are considering doing a tour of cities named St. Charles since the 2 we have been to have been very nice), and surely you can guess..........shopping.

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE

The tentative plan for year 10 will be a return to St. Charles, Illinois with a train ride into Chicago for a day and a trip to the Aurora outlet mall. All our trips have been fun filled and full of laughter, but the serenity of the Baker Hotel with its lovely outdoor dining and convenient transportation provided by Lee bring very relaxing times. Add the outstanding Outlet Shopping, and easy transport into Chicago for a day, and you have reason for a repeat visit.

Year 11 will be decided later, but year 12 may be NYC to celebrate a milestone birthday