It's hay and Queen Anne's Lace time again. A couple days ago Nate Yoder baled up the field behind neighbor Joe's and two loads like this went into Wendy's barn...




I learned Nate's name from Wendy and recognized it as the guy I voted for Supervisor at the Volunteer Fire Department booths in the spring. Like many around here he has irons in the fire. I think he has some construction business going, political aspirations, and the hay-baling which he's come to do for Joe for some time that I know of. I voted for him thinking that he knows the area really well, and Aidan knew his opponent and disliked her since she's the "not nice at all" mom of one of his schoolmates.

It is difficult to find out about elections and results here. I'm still learning about how and where are the political lines, and what the governance entities are. There are townships and boroughs which are still a mystery. I see local constabulary in squad cars from time to time and have to read on the doors as they go by to learn where they are employed. I guess you might know all this if you grow up here, but, then again, maybe not since I've heard native Pennsylvanians talking to each other about directions of how to get to some not very far away town or borough.

It's largely Republican around the counties, here and nearby, but I seldom hear the language of the right wing espoused. It seems to be more a tradition of Republican Party affiliation with a fairly generous liberal-mindedness regarding issues of the day, than an idealogical persuasion. Will be interesting to see how the next year sounds around the neightborhood.

Aidan has earned money mowing and special chores. He spends it mostly on soccer shoes and socks.

A friend of John's gave a pair of his shoes he once played in besides the other four pair Aidan bought. He keeps his shoes spotless.

There have been a number of trips to the local parks to keep up soccer skills. Aidan meets one of his soccer buddies at a particular park and they usually get a couple more kids to stage a little competition. Monday, they caught a half hour game with a couple of the older kids and had a good time with the challenge. Mostly, they play as long as I can hang out. Usually, I time it around 1 1/2 hours.

Fourth of July we stopped after a soccer time for a super treat cone from our favorite ice cream establishment.

Summer is trading rain and hot, humid times in rapid successions. The flora and some of the fauna are basking in fecundity. The dogs not so much, and Toby gets very vocal in early morning complaining when his coat is wet--couple that with his mud-caked feet from his below deck outhouse, and shoulder-sitting is out. He cleans himself up and waits for me to give him some goat milk to make him feel better. Aidan and I like Twyla's milk which is sweet and light. Penelope's is not, but Toby doesn't care.

Here is where the hay came from...behind Joe's barn.