Best Life

 Happy belated birthday Kim!  It is not that I forgot.  Truly.  I just somehow lost an entire week.  I can blame my age or the fact that when retired I seem to never know the day of the week or the crazy amount of things I needed to keep track of last week.  I had it in my head that is was this Tuesday (in reality last Tuesday).  Anyway I hope it was a good one! Today was a stunning, perfect day here in Rangeley.  All sun, 70s and a nice breeze.  Laundry dried nicely and I managed to complete a couple pictures for the nursery. We also painted the boards going up tomorrow for the carport.  The boards were soaking wet from the rain and after spreading them out the sun dried them within a few hours.                                            Four 16 foot boards painted and ready for install tomorrow. Internationa...

 After a week of cleaning, organizing, planning and trying to be helpful without being PIAs we headed back to Maine early this morning.  I love being able to help the kids and watching them celebrate life's gifts and I love the obverse - being in Maine with the quiet and the slower pace.   The ride was a bit longer than usual due to the harsh downpour that followed us for hours. The stops were few and very short.  Even Fenway was quick at the bathroom break. And we had lots of deliveries while we were gone - new boat trailer tires, cleaning supplies and our lumber delivery.  Not only was the lumber delivery free, they placed it right in front of the work area which meant they had to do a bit of maneuvering with the truck.  And they also put the bags of concrete in the garage out of the weather.  Great customer service! The sun only lasted a short while and the pouring rain has begun again. National Georgia Day.  We spent a lot of time in Sava...

Today's gathering - a celebration of elopement and expanding family.                                                                             Megan and TJ                                                                      Megan, TJ and Brianna                                                       Rebecca and Maddy                     ...

 A delightful night at Karen and Alan's.  Marc flew in today from Florida and an impromptu BBQ developed.  The BBQ ribs, salads, slaw and fresh tomatoes and cukes - plentiful and yummy.  Catching up and also reminiscing about our childhood memories (we all have differing ones) - priceless, humourous and enlightening!                                                            Scott, Rebecca and Paul very relaxed.                                                            Emily washing off her sneakers in the sprinkler. Tallulah supervised us again this morning as we set up the remaining tents, tables, chairs and banners. Nat...

 Date night at Bandidos.  A late dinner after a very productive day was perfect.  (Thank you Scott, we are still using my gift certificate!) As we helped with yard work at Megan and TJs we had a "supervisor".  As I walked around the yard putting things away and preparing for mowing and weed wacking, Tallulah followed every step of the way watching. With everyone pitching in we managed to complete a great deal.  Thank you Dan and Al for the tent and the help setting up.  Thank you Alan for arranging everything.  The timing of the tent arrival was perfect with plenty of hands to assemble and secure.   Getting the pool vacuum functioning - amazing.  I never had the patience that TJ displayed in making the pool pristine. Meanwhile Scott and Paul recemented and secured the post that was threatening to fall down. Now we just need the rain to hold off for a little bit! July 31, 2025:                ...

 Happy Birthday Michael!  Here you are rockin' the cowboy swagger!  (Your granddaughter has swagger as well when she walks on her tippy toes!) After a slow morning doing boring tasks around the house, we headed out into the gray day.  Our final destination - Capron Park in Attleboro, Massachusetts.  We chose to walk the grounds of the park and explore despite the threat of more rain. This 30 acre park was given to the city by the Capron (of course!) family in 1901.  Spacious with lots to varying trees, monuments and walkways, this was a perfect place for us to maunder.  The zoo here was first established after school kids did a penny drive in 1922.  Though now under threat of closure, the zoo seemed busy for a mostly rainy, chilly random Thursday in July.  (We skipped the zoo having arrived only shortly before closing.) July 30, 2003:                             M...