Weather Report: According to data observed from the front porch, it is HOT! Again!

Summer is winding down, kids are getting on school buses in the morning, vacations have come to an end. As my move to Dock has no definite date in sight, I realize I have been to few places other than day trips for a very long time. Not true for Aidan and his dad John. They were in Arizona to see some family and friends. Most particularly, they spent time at Iron Springs in the mountains near Prescott where John's family still has a cabin from pre-air conditioning days when whole families escaped summer, sun-scorched Phoenix for cooler environs. Keoni was able to join them for a couple of days after his summer at Aspen Music Institute.

Aidan, John, and Keoni in John's boyhood "treehouse" next the cabin.

One of the slots they climb through to get to the top of boulder-strewn Iron Springs.

Keoni made it back to Georgia to resume his Senior year studies. Aidan went to his high school Sophomore year the day after they returned. John, of course, went back to winning bread for the family.

Over in New Mexico, Val and Tim went out for another horseback session along the Rio Grande River...

That's the Rio Grande behind them.

Pat's old friend Fran spent a good part of August with us here at Marge's.

Fran from Florida.

During a morning we spent at Lake Nockamixon.

This, at water's edge was later identified by iNaturalist.org as Chicory...

Chicory out of its natural habitat.

Marge grilled for us one evening.

Some wasps checking out the patio to see about moving in. 

Pat, Marge, and Fran. A nice brunch at the end of a fine visit.

The extensive rains we have been having are growing huge, juicy melons but with the loss of the usual wonderful flavors. Tomatoes are affected, too. The corn has been good and so have been the peaches.

Corn and a slice of Peach Cobbler.

I finally tried out the microwave for corn-on-the-cob which son-in-law Tim had once told me about and Zowee! is that ever good! But since it's a one-off, four minute process (2 min on one side, turn, 2 min on the other side), it takes too long for multiple ears. The best part is after an ear cools a few minutes you just pull away the shucks and most of the cooked silk comes right off with them. Mmm-Mmm.

The best of this year's local, summer soft fruit experience has to be the exceptionally flavorful nectarines. I had to eat them over the kitchen sink they were so juicy that it ran down my chin and hands.

My sister Sandy packed up her guitar she no longer used and Fed Ex-ed it to Aidan who has had a hankering to play one. We may be hearing some guitar and piano added to his cello repertoire before long.

The trees at the edge of Marge's back yard have gigantic leaves and their giant seed pods spread them everywhere. Since I have been at this address, the barn area behind has grown two or three tree twigs to a considerable size in only a couple of years. They nearly obscured the barn this summer.

The elderly gentleman that owns this property can no longer keep up with the mowing, so Penn's Woods is steadily reclaiming the space.

These are the leaves on the mature trees at the back edge of Marge's property.

Over at Marge's fave nursery there is another giant-leaf flora...

The iNaturalist app also identified this Lantern Fly that landed on my knee at one of Aidan's soccer games...

And this wild geranium trying to make a comeback in Marge's Lilies of the Valley bed...

And sometimes I work in a sketch or two...

Over at the library.

And, moved now to the barn from the farmhouse living room...

One of the chicks in her headdress. 

I finally was able to snag a shot of this rock stack on a steep, narrow, twisty roadway with no place to pull over. Someone gradually built it only to have a severe wind storm destroy it last winter and slowly it has resumed its former stature.

The Quakertown establishment added this ever-changing, electronic advertising structure to let the world know that there is plenty of activity and strip mall shopping in Quakertown...

Wendy sent over a picture she caught of Toby...

Ah, Toby, I miss you little buddy.

Enough.

How sparse recent times have felt. A renewal is in order. For too long I've let anticipation of a move to Dock Manor dominate activities and mindset of everyday life. Enough.

A launch into new times is taking place. An early walk in this neighborhood of "twins" ("duplexes" some places), along businesses' back parking lots of Quakertown's State Route 309 to John's Plain and Fancy Diner for decent coffee and a Belgian waffle, set in it motion.

Live where I am.
Now.
Today.
This may be the happiest day,
the saddest day,
an in-between day.
Or, I might find out what the great void holds.

The coffee tasted as good
as it smelled.
The early walk
showed no great truths
but the sun came up.
Moisture fluffed into clouds
here and there,
flowers looked out from fences,
traffic slowed and stopped for
street workers.
My lungs filled,
my heart beat its rhythm.
It is enough.

From the Sports Desk: Soccer rules again...

Aidan #11 and Chris #15 taking the field with their team.

The weather held and they won.

From the Weather Desk: Somewhere there must be rainbows. We have sun for a few minutes while a few blocks away there is storming going on; then, vise versa. It has been going on for all but two days out of the last twelve.

Out the public library building this afternoon.

Last week there was a block party that I missed since I was on my way to the second of Aidan's soccer games. I got a couple of snaps on my way out our barricaded cul de sac...

Aidan's game was called due to lightening and when I returned to Quakertown, the clouds burst. Through the rain, all I could see that remained of our block party was one soaked soul pulling with all his might to roll up the deflated, sodden, bouncy house.

From the Travel Desk: Marge just returned from a 10 day stay in England. She had joined a batch of choir groupies traveling with our church's music makers who were singing there at Lincoln Cathedral each day for just over a week.

Lincoln Cathedral view out Marge's hotel window.

Roman ruins.

And now Marge is back and doing up her laundry to take off again tomorrow for Maryland and Virginia for some family visiting.

We heard again from Keoni over in Colorado...

Oy. I can't look.
He's enjoyed some wonderful climbs but got a knee cut during one. He says stitches weren't required. 

Sister Susie and friend Kathy Puhr went to Michigan to stay with another friend of theirs for a few days...

Susie and Kathy.

All these last couple of weeks, Wendy and John have housed three young men who, along with Aidan, were taking part in the ARCONET Dalí Quartet's Music Workshops; students and fellows. I understand they even worked in some soccer. Here is a little bit of what I captured.

The introduction...




This is the third movement. Was so sorry I wasn't in a position to get Aidan's face but his hands are in view...

Food afterwards.
Wendy, John, Teddy, David, and Aidan. Atticus had to leave early to go to Dresden on another music adventure.
Thanks, Wendy and John. 

The final day was a concert at West Chester University. Dalí Quartet has just been hired as faculty there and next year the University will host the workshops and there will be dorms for participants. So, Wendy and John won't be housing any more young men but it's a little sad because it was an adventure in itself. Quite special getting to know these young people and sometimes their families and friends.

Here is a portion of the final concert...


And, afterwards...

Erica--Teddy's mom, Teddy, and Juliana his girlfriend. 

Over in Missouri Grandniece Lexie had her first day, ever, at school...

Her Great Aunt Sandy captured this from Lexie's mom's Facebook posting. Amazing what our electronics do. 

Pat and I went to Allentown to visit her sister who now needs special care...

Every week Pat sees her sister and also a son who now needs some family help.

If you are traveling in Pennsylvania, you will notice that road signs are often a challenge. Someone has helped clarify this one...

Our driveway curb--one little volunteer petunia...

...but she got run over.

Then she grew back...

Everywhere I drive now the Queen Anne's Lace adorns the roadways and fields. Some of the tree species are definitely not as green as they were a couple of weeks ago. But, it's still summer, I love the trees, and I love the lace...

From the Upsizing Desk: More things gathered economically that will eventually go into an apartment at Dock. Fun seeing what is in the local shops and box stores and finding occasionally good buys on items that I know, for sure, that I'll be needing...

Night light, strainers for my French press coffee grounds, and sliders.
When I found out about "sliders" while moving stuff around here for Pat's arrival last week, it was a great big "Duh!" moment. Who knew heavy furniture could be moved with plastic thingies!

It's collapsible!

The Farm Report: The chicks are swiftly outgrowing the plastic tubs in the living room. Here's a photo of one of the teenagers that Wendy sent over today...

Yes, adorable.
Chickens are my friends.

Toby isn't going anywhere this summer...

...nope, nowhere, even though he takes naps in the baby chick packing box...

Captured by Wendy.