Weather Report: I survived the Pennsylvania Total Immersion Winter Program

Everywhere there is activity mending the ravages of the season now just behind us. The winter (severe for PA say the old-timers) makes the current season amazing. My mind turns to the marvel of our orbital earth path making these times happen.

As John and Wendy work on their property they acquire tools and supplies from fence wire to electrical wire; sump pumps to tractor wagons. Toby likes the tractor.

Hmm. I see the key...nobody's looking...

... then again, the seat fits just right for a nap.

On the porch Sebastian took a nap, too...

Naps were few and far between for Wendy, John and boys. Music prevails these busy spring weeks.

Donna and Alex, friends of Wendy and John, are here a couple of days on a larger trip they are making to take in a Chicago wedding and see a play in NYC. They'll finish their trip tomorrow in Philly at Rittenhouse Square before returning to AZ.

John took time out from wiring the barn on Memorial Day, and with Aidan put together a swing that we all love.

John tries it out, too.

This afternoon I saw Keoni swinging and talking on his iPhone.

The entire four classrooms of fifth graders at Aidan's school have gone to a nearby camp to have "Outdoor School" for three days and two nights. He was in a lather all weekend getting his new fishing rod to work right to take with him for the fishing. I'm sure he's happily kayaking, too, on the two-acre lake. It poured rain here late morning, and drizzled some of the afternoon, so I hope he gets to do all he wanted.

I've consolidated and made as much space as I can possibly carve out of this bedroom. It is pleasant and set up nicely for comfort and good summer air flow which I don't need tonight since the temp dropped again. 

Keoni is pleased with getting a good outcome to the recent Settlement Music School audition. Now he has to choose which of two ensembles he'll join for the coming year. A grant comes with it. Nice relief on the parents' pocket book, and nice for him, too.

Harleysville Country Fair

The aim was to see the fireworks at dusk. The boys connected with friend Nathan taking a stroll through this local fair. They exchanged life experiences at Tucson and Harleysville fairs as we walked along to the rides and booths. The weather goddess had other plans. Chilly wind, rain nearby, the decision was made to go on one favorite ride. They got in a long line...

Nathan, Aidan, Keoni.

For this...

Notice my absence on this ride.

It was a treat finding Nathan there to join the three of us, and Keoni and Aidan seeing or greeting young people they knew as the four of us made our way through the throng of other weather-hardy Pennsylvanians.

Rain dates are announced right along with the notices of event dates and times. Made me remember the ease of planning picnics in the Southwest; one of my early discoveries (lo, those many) years ago when I was new in Tucson.

The fireworks weren't postponed, as it turned out. But we'd given up at about 8:35. Probably a good thing since text messages at about 9:45 said the fireworks had just begun. We'd already taken Nathan to his house and returned to ours to watch a couple of (commercial-free) Netflix episodes of Alfred Hitchcock.

Today's agenda: Aidan and I go to Tai Chi, followed by a search for a fishing rod for his outdoor school days next week.

No Way Highway

From our driveway shoulderless Ridge Road looks like this to the right...

...and to the left...

Every sort of traffic traverses the roads of the region; cars, trucks, SUVs, dump trucks, school buses, even 18-wheelers on occasion. And, on occasion there is a bike or two somewhere. Brave souls they are. Ask me if I'll get out on Ridge Road with my bike and I'll answer, "No Way!"

Back in Tucson I didn't know how close I'd be to a beautiful bike trail in PA. It is slightly more than three miles closer to me than the distance I once drove from my Tucson home to Catalina State Park to ride my bike. Who knew!

Slightly less than five miles away I got my bike out of the car and had a gorgeous morning ride on the Perkiomen Trail..

Leopard Appaloosa beside the trail.

Yesterday, the school district had a teachers' in-service day, so in the afternoon Aidan was home with me while Wendy and Keoni took care of other business in the city. On a walk we took to see what had happened to the developing creek at the low end of the property Aidan spotted one of the creatures living happily in a tire track near the creek.

Don't know what this frog's name is, but fun to find him.

Aidan decided our tentative name for the still existing creek is permanent: Crooked Creek.

Weather Report: Maple Helicopters, Baseball & Between

Forget syrup, the little helicopters are my favorites, but they defy capturing their flights with my smart phone.

Before take-off.

After landing.

So much has come and gone the past few days that the images in my mind have speed streaks. There are no layabouts present; all regularly scheduled events were managed somehow amongst the week's spotlighted happenings.

Besides the music performance earlier in the week, Aidan had his last of this season's PRYSM performances held at Haverford College auditorium Saturday afternoon after rehearsal on Friday night. (Yes, that Haverford College where Robert Bergeneau formerly Chancellor of UC-Berkeley will not be speaking having joined the crowd of notable commencement dis-invitees this graduation season.) Wendy, John, Keoni and I were in attendance for a very nice program. It is remarkable how well the youthful orchestras are doing. Very, very listenable. Aidan did a great job with his part.

PRYSM joined with the youngest group. Aidan on far right.

PRYSM orchestra.

Friday was John's birthday and late evening after family badminton he began his celebration with the pecan pie I had baked for him.

Lest I forget, that's John headed to the barn for some electrical installations and upgrades.

After Aidan's performance Saturday afternoon we celebrated John's day with a picnic at a hidden away river park along the Schuylkill not too far from Haverford. John had run across the place last fall looking for a way around a traffic stoppage on the turnpike.

Schuylkill River. (Locals call it the Skookle.)

For my bicycle family members, this little park is part of the Schuylkill River bike system that connects to the Perkiomen Trail via Valley Forge. It is 37 degrees this morning so I'll put off a little ride on the Perk Trail until afternoon.

Keoni went to attend his friends' orchestra performance on the Delaware side of our world. The remaining four went to Aidan's cello lesson; then, onward to the Philly's game.

Miles and miles of the Philly region look like this next to the cello lesson at Mrs. d's north Philly area.
Yes, there are ugly areas in Philly. That's for some other day.

Philly Phanatic and friends.

Aidan got this picture...

...and this one he went down to the dugout area to get. Watch out sportscasters. Go Aidan!

My first ever...Cincinnati's Soto fouled this one back where I could snatch it ahead of some Phanatics.

Aidan is taking it to school this morning.

Maybe it was Friday when we had the Scrabble game going. Karma joined us...

Keoni captured this.

When the day closed we were back home...

The grass is mowed, the badminton set is up, tadpoles have gone underground and music performances fill the calendars. 

Keoni won second place in the Tri-County competition. Yesterday Wendy and I picked up the boys early from school to go to Aidan's PRYSM orchestra playing with some of the Philly orchestra members. The Philly Conductor-in-Residence led; an outstanding ability both conducting and engaging the youngsters (some maybe early grade school age). 

Waiting for PRYSM'S turn.

All assembled.

Hard to capture picture without a bow or a scroll in front of Aidan.

Gloria dePasquale, Aidan's teacher and Phlly Orchestra member.

Afterward, Aidan and his new cello case; super light and easy on backs.

Let us not forget the Mother's Day that began with the boys in the kitchen making breakfast for their mom...

The calendar is a blur of activity in front of us. Wendy and John's is especially packed. I fill in here and there when events overlap. Keoni will get driving lessons next August after Meadowmount. 

Next weekend the neighbor's are staging sales...

I can't say what "Men's" garage sale means.