School Just Began

Aidan's soccer games grow more interesting each time as he and the team mates' and the opponents' skills are rapidly improving. The games are intense, but it seems, for the most part, to be the kids' own intensity more than the parental contingent; or, for that matter, the coaches. The kids are playing for all they are worth letting out all the stops to get some scores made. Parents and coaches alike are often appreciative of good moves on the field regardless of team affiliation.

The soccer action photos, so far, haven't turned out well; actually, have been pretty much useless, but one evening as the sun was slipping toward the horizon it lit up the rain to the east while the players had a water break...

Aidan is Number 12. The rainbow didn't help the score though.

This is literally the first rainbow I've witnessed since leaving Tucson where they are such a part of summer monsoon season.

An aside: I think it would have been so much cooler to call the Southwestern desert summer rainy season storms Chubascos instead of Monsoons. There was a debate about which to call them for awhile in the Arizona Daily Star some decades ago, but Monsoon won. I can't think why since the desert rains so little resemble Southeast Asian rainy seasons.

In preparation for the winter Wendy and John have had the upper end of the driveway expanded to accommodate our three vehicles. It also offers a bit of room for various delivery vehicle to turn around while John is at work. It was fascinating to watch the process over the two days Ross worked.

Dirty Work won the bid from Wendy and John. 

Ross unloading the backhoe/blade machine.

Bird's eye view from one of my bedroom windows.

In a sort of now or never mood, I changed my bedroom around....again. This time using the idea I had in the first place for the desk that somehow I couldn't get to happen. Well it has worked out this time. I believe Aidan thinks there is something wrong with me that I have changed it around so much. Then, maybe it is just fun trying to get it to work better.

Shoutout to Jeanenne: You sent the room arrangement pictures for small spaces and that got the ball rolling. The room is still 88 sq. ft., but comfortable again even if it is a challenge making the bed where it sits longways against the wall.

Nathan has been a frequent and welcome guest the last of his summer before he went to Philadelphia and moved into his dorm at U Penn today. Every one of us here have loved having him attend soccer games and do things with us, or just hang out as the boys do. He started learning some piano chords, too, though trumpet is his game at the PYO.

Keoni is busy filling out his higher education applications, and both he and Aidan attended their respective schools' orientation half day today. Keoni, as a Senior, was part of Link which is sort of a mentoring and helping the Freshman class activity. Interesting that the ones Keoni was helping today are the ones who will be Seniors helping Aidan at the beginning of his Freshman year when that time comes.

Aidan and I took Keoni along on one of our walks when he got back from Meadowmount. This is what lives not far away from us...

We followed some pathways through the woods on an adjoining property; sort of, I think. There are a couple of cows in another pen. What was outstanding with the pigs was the lack of sour, manure smell that only pigs generate. Despite our frequent wet and humid climate their home was well-drained, and though thoroughly rooted, was pleasant and shady. Quite a difference from some of the terrible conditions their brethren are subjected to in other parts.

Green Black Walnuts nearly ready to support the squirrel population.

 You've met the family here in PA, and know a little about Dimetrios over in Utah. Today I had a couple of favorite pictures printed of the family still in Utah.

Elijah three years ago prepping for his T-Ball game.

Dimetrios with his mom Sonja at Thanksgiving time about two  years ago.

A lot of life takes us where we didn't know we were going. Yet, the more years that go by, the more I hold precious the moments when all's right with the world.