The moving and shifting of stuff is pretty much over except for continuing to seek smaller household items and another stick or two of furniture. Tumbles of must-do details spinning in thoughts are diminished by a lot, so it's easier to enjoy my home, its surroundings, its considerable numbers of denizens, and this.

The break from constructing these posts endowed a space to better sort through mini-whirlwinds--a bit more uncommitted room to answer all the questions surrounding a thousand new choices or decisions from where to get the groceries I need, to the best location for a toothbrush, to what medical system is best to remain in or to begin in. Plus, I got mad at my horrible, no-good, very bad Durable Medical Supplier from Hell and ratted them out bigtime to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Medicare and my insurer.

The time away confirmed you are part of my calm, my known and unknown friends out there. Thank you, for your patience and your return. My Sabbatical revealed, too, that I like thinking about you when I take a picture, or love something, or engage in the world of my days.

*

I'll post a bunch of pix and video that, more-or-less, complete catching up.

The music world of Grandsons Keoni and Aidan continued its expansion in their lives all summer long, though this time Keoni was home a bit more than usual after completing his Europe trip and a few weeks in a Vermont music camp. He is off again as planned for his new adventures at Juilliard. Aidan spent a month away with his cello at University of Michigan and came back with enthusiasm for new techniques learned and immersion in his own Aidan Celloman track, his music identity widening and engaging him; bolstered upon return by another couple weeks of Dali Quartet camp right here in Montgomery County with a couple of other young musicians from the camp housed at the farm with the family.

Aidan in Michigan. This was streamed live.

 Taking the stage at one of the Dali concerts. 

The quartet Aidan was in with their Dali mentor. Their music was wonderful and they pulled off an amazing rendition of a very difficult piece.

Aidan with Jonathan (from Corpus Christi TX) and Teddy (from Virginia) who stayed with Aidan at the farm.

It was a treat to have these young men in the car with me as I helped Wendy with a couple of the transportation times getting them from their day at Dali back to the farm. Last Sunday, Wendy and Keoni drove to New York with his belongings and his studies began this week...

We're all excitedly happy for this becoming a reality! What a journey.

Looks like orientation.

While Keoni was spending his first day at Juilliard, Peter was playing his cello at Sunday's church service.

Peter with his cello and Seth at the piano. You probably remember Peter from the concerts he and Seth and Keoni have done at church. Their last one was at the end of June.

And, Seth got married! Here he is with his bride...

Peter, Keoni and another young man played for the wedding. This is the postlude...


Another day recently, a friend was lost and his funeral took place. He was the husband of one of the couples who have been good friends from church. His photo is from a couple years ago when I was in the throes of medical testing. I was so surprised to find him standing there greeting and directing people at the entrance of the outpatient facility where I was going for my appointment. It was a world of good finding a friend there during those days of uncertainty.

Ken.
Peace be with you.

*

In between Keoni and Aidan's comings and goings of music commitments this summer, it was a big treat to resume some walks at the farm with them. The path around the perimeter was pretty overgrown and Wendy couldn't mow it because it has been extraordinarily wet. At last, she could clear it and we've been enjoying it since.

The baby bird Aidan rescued. Alas, the poor little thing didn't make it.

Miss Florence the friendliest chicken ever.

Miss Puffhead who is nursed back to health by Wendy...from Wendy.

My favorite walk here at Dock is still compromised by the clearing of Ash Trees that have disease or pre-emptively removing them because of the borer that is destroying them across America. One hundred twenty of them had to go.

One of the huge piles of Ash logs. It felt like such a loss even though I know they are being replaced by varieties of other indigenous species, and there are still a lot of remaining other species. Morris Arboretum is consulting with the committee helping to define replacements.

On a happier note, there is a great community garden opposite our parking lot...

A fireplace on my indoor walk is regularly outfitted with some saying or observation that changes from time to time...

This is a little brook running through the woods on one of many, many rainy days this summer...

A double rainbow appeared at Dock and I managed to capture a bit before it entirely faded. It reminded me of the many rainbows I saw during Tucson's summers. Mmm-Mmm. So nice.

*

Over in Utah, Sonja sent some pictures of a family event. I think Elijah was still in Wisconsin visiting his dad.

Dimetrios LOVES bubbles!...

...so does little brother Kingston.

A Jeff and Sonja selfie.

*

There is a Tuesday morning art group here and I've joined in...

Will didn't know he was my sketch subject.

*

Toby continues his life among the chickens and dogs. Aidan did a slow motion video of how he is guarded as he jumps down. Might be why he can't come down out of trees...just too big and heavy for secure leaps...

Off duty on the porch.

Off duty in the yard....from Wendy.

On duty. Yes, that's a mouse he is carrying with Sebastian the Rat Terrier right behind him...from Wendy.

Wendy is battling a mice infestation of astronomical proportions. Toby can't begin to keep up with it. At the barn Wendy is trapping one to two dozen--A DAY! I won't detail it further, though there are plenty of war stories. I'll let her and the family tell them.

*

And, lastly, the Queen Anne's Lace of July and August never fails to enchant me. It blooms its lacy filigree along fields, by mailboxes and road cuts--anywhere it is left to its devices. Some people even mow around a small stand of it though others are dispensed with or baled into hay in the fields. I know it's regarded mostly as a noxious invader from England, but it's been with us for a long time now. I still like it. I'm thinking of cousin Jackie now because I know she loves it, too.

Catching Up

The sunset is bestowing a benediction to end this day in every shade of lavender and gold and radiant blue. I am reminded of another passing day that now is an accumulation of 80 times 365. And still counting. My eighth decade launched last month. I'm a little surprised and deeply appreciative.

One wonderful communication and remembrance after another from family and friends went on and on. Every single one was welcome. A couple of pictures to remind me...

Dessert at the farm after a very satisfying meal out with Wendy and family.

The Landis Supermarket ran out of zeros, so Wendy and Aidan substituted a nine and hid the tail.

Marge texted this one to me when she took me out to a meal.

*

Aidan, back from a month at Michigan State music institute, came over and lugged the 100# TV stand box from my car to the apartment; then, put it all together!!! I couldn't even budge the stand lying out there in my car until he picked the thing up. So many have helped and generously contributed to make my new home comfortable and livable. 

After the stand construction, we walked to the Bistro to get carry-out. Had a minute to stop off and shoot some pool in the billiards room, too. Later on, when Keoni was back from his summer music, the three of us shot some pool together with our own made up rules.

Here are a few pix of the apartment...

Plants now are on an inexpensive find from the resale shop next to the lobby of our building. The beautiful handmade scarves are from there as well.

Will I ever do an HGTV "Reveal" moment? Of course not. It's too much fun doing the rest of "upsizing" in smaller doses and it may go on until I'm in decade nine.

*

Pat, Marge and I went up the the Allentown Art Museum. Here are a couple of unforgettables...

Sol LeWitt.

Rigo Peralta loved his grandma, too...

Well, the color of the sky has given over to darkness. It's time to wrap this up tonight and continue updating some more later. 

I'll be back!