For the fourth of July we went up to see Harvey and Alice in a Garfield Lake lakehouse they rented in the Berkshires. The trip included a good deal of talk while sitting on the water, a guided tour of Santarella, a unique house being refurbished, Tanglewood and the music of Diana Krall. It was a fine get together. Opening for her was Frederico Aubele whose soft, sexy, Latin sounds with a hint of Bolero romance were just wonderful. I'll need to buy some of his music soon. The Spanish was clear and easy enough as well.
Afterward we saw some fireworks over the Tanglewood lawn. Very nice show.


The rented lake house is not pictured here but was comfortable and interesting with plenty of old, interesting things scattered about and a view of the lake from the balcony. The also had these round porthole like overhead sunwindows that amplified the sunlight and worked to brighten up the rooms. In the bathroom I kept trying to turn one off as it was so bright.
Up early I got a fine taste of their books and actually have ordered the ones I enjoyed starting. I am always drawn to books at cottages.

Some quotes:

"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
William James
"everyone comes from the same source. If you hate another human being, you're hating yourself." Elvis Presley

(before traveling) "I had not known that People in the world believe they are the People and their language is the Word, and strangers are not fully human--at least not human in the way the People are--nor is the stranger's language anything but the gabbing of incoherent and inspissated felicites."
Paul Theroux

note: inspissated means made thick especially by evaporation. However, I sense here the author conotatively playing with both insipid and piss.

Our food was a collection of things we brought from Guido's near Lee, Mass and things harvey and Alice had. We are good at making a buffet of cheese and olives and creamed herring and such. Alice made the main course, a fine chicken salad. We had all the tastes on the lawn at Tanglewood and the next day for lunch.

On the way up Elizabeth and I stopped in Lee at Salmon Run for some great lunch at one of our favorite eating spots. I had the Buffalo salmon, salmon done with a Buffalo wing sauce. Yum.

Wonderful tiger lily near the cottage.

Hiking down the trail to the lake.


Alice at the lake.

Talking by the water.


Lake and sweet little boathouse.





The deck and the tree growing through it.

Alice and Harvey discussing the issues of seeing or missing movie previews.


Elizabeth trying to the be the head of the conversation.

Malards and their ducklings swimming a wide circle around us to avoid the conversation.



The trail back up to the cottage.

********************************************************************************
Later we went down to the public beach and watched a few cold braving swimmers and talked more.

Shapes of fencepost




Shapes of harvey wrapped about fenceposts and listening to poker stories.





*******************************************************************************************

We drove up to the Santarella house and had our interesting tour and an explanation of how the fellow is refurbishing this interesting old building.



Door knocker

Silo shapes
Interesting shapes of the front.









Cointemplative pond in the rear of the property.










We had a fine time. I had some trouble with my sleeping machine and did not do so well overnight, but I survived and everyone was nice not to slap me when I yawned.

Just not energized today again. Neither Elizabeth nor I.
I did vacuum out the van and clean it up inside a bit. That is a good job done.
I puttered about, sewed a rip in an old shirt, cleaned out the refrigerator, did a couple loads of laundry, and perhaps tonight I'll glue some card decorations on some more of my poker trays.

I read a bit in the poker book I bought How to Dominate $1 and $2 no limit Holdem.. It is a fine book and I am learning from it.

I had a nice talk with Robin Smith up North. He is doing well with his better vision and no glasses. He has more to endure, but the first part of the fix took well and he even managed to get his driver's license note that he needed glasses removed. All that is good news as he drives often from Saranac Lake to here and was having some misgivings about it. He said Mike Sam had tenure this year. Congratulations Mike! It has been a long, hard, pull but you are secure now.

Frank sent a nice email. He and Julie have a fine weekend planned in Galena, Illinois.

For lunch I had shrimp fried up with a bit of olive oil and garlic in a mixture of brown rice, red pepper and portabello mushrooms. I like this new and more expensive brand of shrimp as the shrimp are large and cleaner and fresher than those in the inexpensive bags or the fish counter. It is just the Hannaford brand but still nicer. It may be that they are flash frozen as well. I recook them frozen and they thaw as they recook.

In the afternoon we watched Madagascar which I had seen before, but still enjoyed. Great voices of Chris Rock especially. Funny and perfect for our day.

We went to supper at the Lakeview and I had a wonderfully seasoned barbecue chicken that featured a hint of orange and chipotle. The margaritas with it were good too. We've learned to ask for them in full glasses with the ice on the side; we get more margarita and can add ice as we want. they gave a half a chicken and a huge portion of nice broccoli done perfectly crisp.

It did not rain until this evening and then not for long or hard.

Elizabeth and I talked most of the day away processing all sorts of interesting topics. We do have a good time together.

Tomorrow we are heading out to Tanglewood unless it rains and then we'll have an alternate idea. Harvey and Alice have a place in the Berkshires and we'll stay overnight. On the way we can shop a our favorite whole foods market, Guido's. We find some fun foods there.

The water was sort of off limits today as they treated it yesterday. It is clear now, but it is getting darker and I guess I'll put off trying it until tomorrow morning.

Nice day.
Elizabeth and I walked with Janet across to the other side of the lake and saw the work of the sewer there. Looks really nice. It is a much easier walk on all this new stone.

It did not rain in the morning. The rain came about four in the afternoon and never gave up until dark. I was playing poker at Greg's

http://foxwoodspokertr.blogspot.com/2009/07/gregs-game.html

and worried that lightning would hit me in the back through the window.

I went to the new Price Chopper in Colonie and found the canola oil I wanted on sale. They also have a new deal on gasoline. Synoco will lower their price of gas by as much as thirty cents a gallon based on how much shopping was done using the Advantage Card. Great deal!

Isaac had his new granddaughter and everyone is healthy and happy and glad the waiting is over. Very exciting time. Click on his blog for pictures, but they are not their yet. Soon I am sure.

Listening now to Willie Nile on Live at the Linda. Sure is full of good songs. The sounds of old fashioned rock and roll without the band. I can hear the Dylan influence.

Okay. Enough.

Tuesday

Well, it has been a good day.
A little work, a little cuddle, a diner of Burden Lake fish
And a fine, hard, thundershower rain.

Nice.

I spent quite a few hours bringing the live well up to standards. Thanks Isaac, I got another year out of your screen.
All the drilling and placing off glued dowel was cancelled when I discovered I have not dowel and it all was replace by just four, precisely placed galvanized nails. They did the job.

I managed to install the newly screened and repaired live well without dropping any of the screwdrivers in the lake. This is a major record setting accomplishement that certainly happens just once in every ten years or so. I also seemed to have plenty of materials and so I did not have to drive to Tremont Lumber for even one nut.

Peripheral to the work on the live well was the cleaning and arranging of one corner of the garage where I was certain Isaac's left over screen was hidden beneath randomly stacked pile of wood and clamps and catch em alive traps and old lamp parts and a matress and two old screen doors and odd bits of metal and a few bottles of Chuckmonk's home brewed beer as well as Adirondac lemon lime seltzer only it wasn't there at all; the screen roll I needed was hidden in the other corner under similar miscellaneous debris. Finding it save me a major trip and expense at Treemont's.

I do need one wing nut.

In my van I have a bolt similar to the new one I installed to clamp down the live well top against animals and fish eating water snakes and turtles. It will be more convenient than the capping nut I used, but for now all is done and can be used the next time Neighbor Ron has fish to give me.

I won't say very much about the cuddle because I never do. One can't it seems. Such details are blog taboo. I don't much like having an open journal and any taboos, but I do have them. I don't tell people that they are totally full of sh**t and I don't poetically depict even the best of cuddles. I wasn't going to say anything at all, but Elizabeth says I can get away with saying cuddle. I won't put that on Facebook, just here where no one reads anything anyway.

The Northern pike was good, but I think the pickerel is still sweeter and better. The bluegills crisped up nicely and tails and fins were just wonderful. There is a huge disadvantage to cooking large fish because you lose a great many crisp tails and fins. And fillets.........don't even get me started.

We have enough left overs for breakfast. I had salmon this morning, but it was just too leftover and not at all as sweet and good as this meal.

Well, the storm has passed so I can replace my power cord.

My Vegas emails and board discussions are just making me frustrated that I can't plan a trip in the near future. Hotel prices are down below twenty all over the place and down to fourteen at Binions downtown. $14 a night!!! Hell, you don't have to have any interest in gambling whatsoever to enjoy that deal.

I'll play a bit at Greg's tomorrow. One of these days my winning streak is sure to break. It has been a wild ride, winning against improbable odds. My last win is recorded here:

http://foxwoodspokertr.blogspot.com/2009/06/kim-carpenters-judo-poker.html

Certainly I can take some credit for some good playing, but mostly it is just good luck.

Well, hope anyone reading has had a fine day and is enjoying life. Leave me a message below where it says comment. Use the anonymous selection and then stick your name in the text so I know it was you. I got a comment from someone in New Delhi today. Oh, all right, it was partly a comment and partly trying to recruit me to play poker online with the New Delhi folks. But I liked it anyway and I left it alone. So little action here.

Meanwhile Facebook takes off. Every day I make more "friends." Today another student. I like it. It is like reading a dozen blogs in sound bite.

Monday lake log

Quote of the day:

"So much rain as of late. It seems like every day when I wake up I hear it, and I know the morning chores will leave me soaked, sweaty, and barking for coffee by the time I stumble back inside. This sounds like a complaint, but it really isn't. I don't mind the rain, actually, I think I favor precipitation. I like a little offense in my day."
Jenna at Cold Antler Farm, Sandgate Vermont

I read rain on the Facebook from every city and the frustration with it, and read it in the news, but we have not experienced so much here or perhaps I sleep through it. Today neighbor Ron and I pushed Elizabeth's car out of the garage and hooked up jumper cables to get it to Mark's. Nothing much wrong Mark says except the battery so with that replaced we hope these dead stops are over.
Elizabeth had a doctor's appointment and then we had some really fine dark coffee and one of those huge chewy baggles at Uncommon Ground. I added a spinach salad with vinegar and blue cheese crumbles.
Then we went to Honest Weight and played cart tag with the crowds seeking organic.
I gave it up and went to Hannaford and then next door to Oliver's for Guiness on sale: $1499, two dollars less than Hannaford.
The fellow at the liquor store says they can order the Felippe Segundo Spanish brandy but I have to call back and check in a day or so.
We bought Tres Cepas which is also from Jerez, so it should have that distinctive taste of the Spanish. The last French was fine, but you get accustomed and want just what you want. Elizabeth sips just a tiny bit in old glasses from her grandmother. A thimblefull. So having it be good is essential.
Last night I drank another of Chuckmonk's Blonde #1 and it was good. Blonde #2 was a bit sour for my taste. I may cook with the second bottle.
I had a campfire last night as did many of my neighbors. The wood was wet and it took a while but then it burned clean and pretty. Some even had some fireworks. It was fine to see a few fires about. It has not been loud here in uncomfortable ways.
I am waiting to post my last poker winnings, over $100 in a tournament fro Kim Carpenter. Kim took some photos and is having trouble posting them. I'll wait for them to come for a day or so and then post a blog memory of the game.

Just now I'm listening to a bit of Billie Holiday and getting ready to fire up the pan for a supper of Burden Lake fish. I expect we'll jump in the lake first for a while.

later...........


Well, we did.
Not exactly jumping.
More like wading and just giving ourselves up the water.
It was very good. Very fresh from all the rain we've had which Elizabeth says I just haven't noticed but had come here as well as other places.
Some good visiting with neighbors reading on their docks.
a few boats zipping by. This new tree we tied up when it snagged out tree keeps them well out.
I'll do the float soon. It needs some work. Maybe tomorrow if it doesn't rain. Maybe tomorrow anyway. Perhaps I "need a little offense" in my day.

We did not fry fish today. Tomorrow. Our appetites were set on leftovers. I drank the rest of the $3.33 beer. All the wine we saw today in the stores was at least $8. I still have some Tampa bottles from Dewey's liquors stored away for another day.

Click to see the day I bought the wine.http://pokerbluegill.blogspot.com/2009/01/lazy-day-in-homosassa.html#links

I still have not had the Fish Eye. It is next:
skip the commercial and hit "enter" to make the fish jump off the bottle. Then use it as your curser to swim the beach.
http://fisheyewines.com/

Eliza graduates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Niece Eliza graduated from Schuylerville High Saturday in a delightfully festive ceremony at the Saratoga Civic Center. We went up to see the event.
It was a fine ceremony. The school had collected tons of money to present in the form of awards to many students, including Eliza, who managed to collect $200 in cash and now wants her uncle to teach her a little bit about playing poker for money.

Yeah.....like.....he wishes.

The ceremony was small enough to go fast enough even with all the awards and the group itself was so bonded and celebratory, and the crowd so spirited, that it did not take on that, "Oh, if I have to clap for just one graduate in this hot and humid room" feeling.
I did clap for all of them, creating a particular beat that lasted just long enough and so I entertained myself as the 120 graduates walked the stage. The room was very comfortable.

We were early to save good seats, and while we waited the graduates photos along with a baby photo and a quote were presented to the audience. The quotes were very entertaining, everything from the profound to the funny. It was clear that this high school did not censure student's own choices. Right away I felt good.
Then the principal spoke in such a fine, easy manner, one showing he was familiar with his students. I would have enjoyed working under this young, creative and very nice fellow. The school is lucky to have him. Some of the other speeches....well.... I played a few mental hands of poker while they droned on. The student speeches were fine, however, and from the heart. We could hear them too, a measure of the fine room.
I liked everything except the two women behind me who were:

"Did you see her?'
"Yeah, she is right there in the middle row."
"Oh, I think I see her arm. Yep there is here arm, look!"
No, that isn't her."

and

"Do you think we should go up to take a photo?"
"Yes, I think so. Yes, we should go up. We should definitely go up."
"When should we go?"
"Well, pretty soon. We should go pretty soon. We should definitely go pretty soon, but it looks like we still have time because they are just in the.........oh, I think you better go now, don't you"
"Where do I stand? Is there a certain place to stand?"
"Yeah, can't you see where they stand? Right there in front of the stage. See that girl there? Stand where her people are standing. And you should go now. You better go now"


And on and on until I wanted to turn around and shout:

"Look, you know her right? So maybe after the ceremony you could take her to lunch and see her all your want, okay? and you could take your photos then. But right now maybe we could hear the speeches and you could shut up with that frigging chatter!!"

But I didn't . I breathed. My Buddhist book on Anger recommends that.

Afterwards we went lunch at Chez Sophie because we would not then have to go out in the torrential downpour. I had a rarebit which was...well.... a tasty rare bit and enjoyed myself and the conversation. Tico told us the history of Chez Sophie and Courtney wondered if that history was just a bit too detailed. I explained that "eggs over easy" did not mean the same thing in every restaurant and Courtney told about her exciting coming trip to Oxford where she will present a paper that might be published.

Elizabeth talked about how hard it is to get a word in edgewise when she takes me anywhere because I don't listen to her and pay attention. She said some other things as well.....but I forget what they were.

And yes, Eliza, we did talk and gush and gurgle all about you, over and over and we enjoyed how beautiful and spirited and smart and how..... well..... how graduated you are.

Congratulations and a long life journey of adventure and happiness.

Oh, remember, I get points for guarding the diploma and the money from your Mom while you went to the loo (as Grandpa Bernie would say.)
I did my duty against a formidable and stubborn opponent who thought it was her diploma and that she would damn well see if it she wanted and she would see it right now, thank you very much. Well, Ms Courtney, I thought , you just have another thought coming and I held it high over my head, where your mom just can't jump anymore.



The graduates assemble






The dad waits in quiet contemplation.



The graduate shows off her flowers and her flowery smile
Here they all are.








Courtney explains how it is really her diploma

Tico explains how Eliza is now a grownup and so she must now do everything he tells her to do and when he tells her and no arguments.

The graduate gets kissed.


"Hey. I made it. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!"

Livingston good bye

So many of those who worked at Livingston said goodbye to the old girl on Friday night. Those who set up the experience can be thanked. Everything went well, especially the chicken which was so tasty. I guess the only down side of having these in those Desmond rooms with loud music is it was a bit hard to talk. I left with little voice left because I talked anyway.

There were lot of faces of people who I have not seen in many years. Some people came out to this who never come to social or union gatherings. That was fun. A night of hugs.

Elizabeth graciously captured some of the faces and I've posted those photos below.

Elizabeth came to get a taste of what my community was like in the days of my life before her. She enjoyed meeting people and we did so our share of dancing as well.

There were some folks I did not see as much as I'd like, but others were very immediate. Melanie was right next to me, and in a fine party mood, so I had a good time with her. Melissa asked me to dance and that always makes an old guy smile.

Having experienced retirement now for many years I have come to grips with the fact that the fantasy of being best friends with colleagues in retirement and having time to play with them, is not realistic.
In retirement we drift apart.
This is probably the last place I will ever see many of the colleagues I saw everyday. Perhaps they will come to my funeral, or we will meet at other's funerals. Somehow that is not my favorite retirement activity. The party mood seems somewhat dampened.

So venues for gathering would be useful.

In fact, for those of you who might feel obligated to attend my wake or funeral, why not fulfill that social obligation a few years earlier and meet me for a drink, meal, breakfast, or whatever.

I do still have a small list of folks who might meet at Begg's on occasion and we could set times to do that. Bruce Lovette calls breakfasts at the Colonie diner on occassion and some suggested we do that over the summer as even working teachers on summer break can come. also on or about the third Thursday of each month Princess Fludd and the old Gold wing have breakfast at Friendly's near the Teachers Credit Union. You can find out if they will really be there by calling her up. So perhaps we can forge some opportunities for gatherings and the old stories, jokes, and bantering teases that delight us so much. If you have people you would like to include in my list, send me emails and I'll see they are there.

So long Livingston. It was a hard life there, but there were some wonderful benefits. I live an easy and decandent retirement so I am proud and pleased to have dedicated so many hours to kis and other folks in the Livingston Community.

Peace and out.






































So many of those who worked at Livingston said goodbye to the old girl on Friday night. Those who set up the experience can be thanked. Everything went well, especially the chicken which was so tasty. I guess the only down side of having these in those Desmond rooms with loud music is it was a bit hard to talk. I left with little voice left because I talked anyway.

There were lot of faces of people who I have not seen in many years. Some people came out to this who never come to social or union gatherings. That was fun. A night of hugs.

Elizabeth came to get a taste of what my community was like in the days of my life before her. She enjoyed meeting people and we did so our share of dancing as well.

There were some folks I did not see as much as I'd like, but others were very immediate. Melanie was right next to me, and in a fine party mood so I had a good time with her. Melissa asked me to dance and that always makes an old guy smile.

Having experienced retirement now for many years I have come to grips with the fact that the fantasy of being best friends with colleagues in retirement and having time to play with them, is not realistic. In retirement we drift apart. This is probably the last place I will ever see many of the colleagues I saw everyday. Perhaps they will come to my funeral or we will meet at other's funerals. Somehow that is not my favorite retirement activity. The party mood seems somewhat dampened.

So venues for gathering would be useful. I do still have a small list of folks who might meet at Begg's on occasion and we could set times to do that. Bruce Lovette calls breakfasts at the Colonie diner on occassion and some suggested we do that over the summer as even working teachers on summer break can come. So perhaps we can forge some opportunities for gatherings and the old stories, jokes, and bantering teases that delight us so much.

So long Livingston. It was a hard life there, but there were some wonderful benefits. I live an easy and decandent retirement so I am proud and pleased to have dedicated so many hours to kis and other folks in the Livingston Community.

Peace and out.

Another one gone

She was a few months younger than I am.

http://www.mercurynews.com/celebrities/ci_12688065

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-farrah-fawcett26-2009jun26,0,4388762.story

Too bad.

We'd like someone who brought so much pleasure to us, to live a long, long life.

"God gave women intuition and femininity. Used properly, the combination easily jumbles the brain of any man I've ever met."
Farrah Fawcett


And Michael Jackson as well.
Seems so strange.
No longer do old folks or another generation die in the news. I guess they are already gone.

Poor Michael. Such sadness mixed with such talent.

Father's Day

There were some tensions and issues, but we did have a good gathering. Frank and Julie, Peter and Jen and, of course, Casey came for two days of big breakfasts and a father's day feast of steak, brocolli, and brown rice cooked by Frank and Julie. There was a good bit of Scrabble at which Peter has assumed an unbeatable position, mostly by memorizing all the two letter words. If people had known someone was actually going to read and apply Scrabble rules, they probably would not have played with such a cheater. Peter's only issue was that our Scrabble dictionary does not have the newest two letter words blessed by the grand pope bulah of Scrabble. For example, "Za" is the new two letter word for pizza.

We lost the advantage of water warm enough to entice swimming. Frank, Peter and I went in once together and talked for a short while on noodles,but it was not really a Burden Lake swimming experience.

The wind and storms brought us a huge treetop that caught on the downed tree, so I went in and tied it off so it is almost directly over the old tree and will be a great powerboat blocker and hotel for visiting fishes.

We ate fish from Burden Lake supplied by our two neighbors. A fine pickerel, a bass, a bluegill and a yellow perch.

And we did miss most of the rain.

So it was a fine visit.

Big Win Details posted

I finally finished writing up the poker party last Friday where I managed a huge win. For details check

http://foxwoodspokertr.blogspot.com/

Fathers Day

I am writing up the poker game at John Blowers house for the local poker blog, but I lack enough details that I want to hear from John before I print. I guess he is in Vegas working frantically so it may be a while. I won the money but lost the names of the players. It was the largest single session win of my poker life. I bought in for a hundred and left with $1119.
I'd like to say it was skill, but most of the skill was having the patience to fold bad cards.

Yesterday we had a good meal here of cheese omelets with the possibility of adding mushrooms, onions, anchovies, tomato, another cheese and Frank, Julie, Casey, Peter, Jen all seemed to get enough to eat. I also cooked a chicken veggie soup, baked beans and some rice but most wanted breakfast so that was supper later for Elizabeth and I and for Jen who took tastes with her. Frank and Julie went over to see Margot in the afternoon.
Today we do the same omelets over again and still have soup and rice. Most of the beans got eaten. Having made beans twice this week I am more in favor of the B and M than the Bush and certainly like them cooked a long while as opposed to just warmed up. I like the liquid to cook off and beans be a pasty consistency.

Plenty of good family sharing with some conversations of difficult family tourbles and issues thrown in as must, I suppose, always be the case. A good bit of laughter.
The weather has been cold and rainy, although I did install the air conditioner upstairs as it got pretty hot up there yesterday. Humidity.

Frank and Julie are cooking steaks today for Father's Day and Peter, Jen and Casey are coming back so the party will continue today. I wish I could have slept in, but at five thirty I turned over and my mask separated and started to blow a rush of air that woke me up.

Cory wished me Happy Father's Day and gave us the fine news that he will be coming to Lakeside in September for what may well be the last family gathering there as soon it will go up for sale.

Friday AM

Quote of the day:

"Salt is white and pure; there is something holy in salt."
Nathaniel Hawthorne

*******************************************************************************************

Happy Summer!

I slept for much of yesterday.
And still I slept the night.
I did laundry and made up the beds with clean sheets.
I also planned Father's Day breakfast here. Frank and Julie are coming in from Chicago and Pete and Jen will visit. Maybe Dana. Frank and Julie are here through Monday.
It should be a good visit with lots of swimming.
I'll be making lots of omeletes. After years of struggle I think I finally have it down. I gave it up for a while as it was just too stressful, but lately I have gone over an edge and seen many successful omelets delivered. Keeping ingredients as separate add ons for eaters also helps with the details. Cooking the same cheese omelet over and over makes the task a consistent challenge with hopefully few surprises

I woke up with the beginnings of a migraine and have elected to try Leif's recipe of coffee. It seems to have taken some of the weather prompted pain away. At any rate it is a good experiment rather than throwing everything at it all at once with so sense of what works.

I am taking it easy today as well and will try a nap later in preparation for John Blowers p0ker game celebrating his moving closer from his novel to the movie. It will be fun, but some of the competition might be rather stiff. I am going to start at the big stakes game and see how I do there. Then I'll move down to the twenty dollar table.

I think the games will all be full of fun. John sets a really fun tone and has good humor and plenty of it delivered at a machine gun clip rate. I don't think there will be much time for long discussions of rules and that will be a relief.

Also, I am delighted to see him on this roller coaster ride. He enjoys it all so much and has the energy to keep up with all the adventures, the trips to Vegas, the book tours, all of it. If the movie hits big, he will be a very busy guy and it will be fun to see a local poker author make good.

I am holding my own. I have kept and improved my large Foxwoods win in spite of one bad day at Greg's and never winning with the Rhein boys. The recent Greg 11 hour game and the players are described on the local game blog.

http://foxwoodspokertr.blogspot.com/

Well, I better get ready to go shopping for groceries for the Father's Day weekend.

Day Before Yesterday

Reid=Weatherbys and Rheins met here on Monday for a huge feast of salmon, the rainbow trout that Bruce my friend gave us and some fine steaks from the organic beef. It was a great meal of protein much of it done on the grill and Elizabeth cooked it. Yum. Abigail brought in some salad and we had a good visit. It was fine to see Bruce my brother in law again as he took time from the farming and the continual watering to enjoy the stories and banter of the family.

Dana called in sick and stayed until late too. He thought he would regret it, but it actually worked out very well in his work as well, making him more productive in finishing a project he has been working on and enabling him to escape some tensions. So it did not strain him further and was a fine choice.

Over these two days I've lost the details of the stories and banter.
I should have written yesterday.
I have the relaxed and delightful flavor of having family together in one room, but I can't remember too much.

It was too stormy to swim or boat. That was too bad. I remember that and the food.

Jim Anne Jacob Ben

We had a fine day yesterday with the California relatives. It was nice to have such a full day with good weather. The boys seemed to get more relaxed with us as we were less distant relatives and more regular folks.

Part of the relaxation was to participate in a farting contest around the poker table. Anne or Elizabeth pointed out that this meant the boys were relaxed with us. Oh, the joy of family life, how sweet it is!!

Breakfast was a good success. That Plumfarm thick cut bacon lured the boys down early for the the first round of omlette. My egg pan worked great as it did before. I think I got the hang of it. Jacob liked cheese, but Ben like plain and I managed to get cheese in just one half and keep my mind on where that was so when I split the omlette in two, the boys got what they liked.
I drove in to Brueger's early for a fine assortment of bagels. Stupidly I left my keys hanging of the Elizabeth's trunk and did not find them until late last night. Lucky for me we used the van the rest of the day.

So early breakfast was a good visit with the boys.

Then we had the second breakfast with Jim and Anne and another successful omlette, this with mushrooms done with some of Jim's garlic sprouts and sweet white onions. That went well too. Plenty of talk and much of it about our current lives, giving them a sense of our children and listening to their reports. It was the kind of solid family visit that breakfast invites. It pointed out to me that we just have not had very much of that with them so far and that the space between such sharing makes for great changes in our lives that call for reporting.

The boys had some time with the musical instruments here although I am not good enough to play with them as Tico can. The banjo was interesting as was the uke. And Jacob had the keyboard rocking some over the last two days using the earphones so it did not disturb us.

We hit the water for a while using the small paddle boat. The boys are a bit skiddish about bugs and the boat was just turned over for the first time since winter so the hosing down I gave it left it with some crawling things. Ben came down first and was a bit taken back by a cricket, but soon he gave it a whirl with me. Jacob then was lured down and the two of them had a ride, but the most fun was when Jim went out with them and swamped the boat, and then they dumped it and the larger folks swam around it while the boys jumped off. I went out for a bit. My first venture in the water this year. I don't know why I am so slow to indulge the lake. It felt great.

Poker took up much of the rest of the day. The boys are as attracted to the game as I am. We played two cent chips and the competition was heavy. I guess we broke near even. I did by the end of the day. Jim and I also played a bit of head to head at one point. I had some good hands, but he is well ahead at this point.

In the evening we drove around the area and showed them the other lakes and the countryside so they could get the rural nature of the place. Anne felt it would be too isolated for her as much as the peace and the setting was a lure. It is a contrast to their neighborhood and they enjoyed seeing the difference. The Lakeview Inn on Crystal Lake offered a good meal on the back deck with plenty of stories and laughter. That gave a flavor of the town as well although it was pretty quiet there. Perhaps Tuesday is the night to go to keep away from the crowds.

Hoffay's was closed for dessert, but Stewart's served to top the night off with iced cream. The dinosaur crunch lured in a few tongues. I do like those malt balls and Jacob and Anne seemed to agree.

And the rest of the night was poker until we were too sleepy to shuffle with plenty of the banter that goes with it.

I regret that we could not have had a night to play with all the cousins. That would have been a funny game. So there might be a goal for next time.

Today Jim heads home and Anne and the boys go by train to New York City to see the sights. That will be a good bit of fun for them. It should be great weather there and less crowded than on a weekend.

We will be sorry to see them go. But then I guess folks still have to work and take care of the energies of young boys. Neither activity seems very real to us. Anne said she has a tough time sitting still, and that is a good thing with these young boys to keep up with. Elizabeth and I are lured into this sedentary life of reading, processing and contemplation with plenty of time for quiet reflection. I am especially too lethargic lately. It has been good for me to have all this activity to wake me up.

Looks like the party continues because Dana is coming in again this weekend to great Frank for Father's Day and Jen's dad will make the trip down from Utica for a party here. Should be fun.

Bernie Memorial picnic

We had such a fine day up at Courtney's, a warm, easy, relaxed family gathering.
these kinds of gatherings approach the magical.

We started with "Kyrie Eleison" sung in rounds by the Reid-Weatherbys and then there was a sharing of what we celebrated in Bernie. We all say in a circle under a large tree with all of the beauty of Tico and Courtney's land stretched out around us. It was a beautifully, warm, summer day. Our hour and a half of sharing was a perfect memorial to Bernie, with memories of him shared in the warm, close circle of family. It is the perfect response to death, the celebration of the lost one as well as the reaffirmation of the present ones. Rarely do all these family members manage a time together. The last was on the cruise for Bernie's 75th birthday. He pushed for a "command performance" then and managed perfect attendance. This was another "comand performance."
Then we ate a fine meal of hamburgers, bratwurst, chicken sausage, salads, and snack foods.
The keyboard came out and so did the performers. Especially moving was to have the California cousins jamming with the New York cousins. There is a good bit of musical talent in this family and it is so much fun to hear it. What I like best is the attitude toward singing. Everyone is invited and supported to sing and enjoy the companionship. Nothing needs to be polished perfectly to be enjoyed. It is a fine metaphor really for the way they gentle, easy, unconditional way they love each other.

Many in the group enjoyed little Casey who as always was delighted and talked to his mom and dad about him. I have never seen such a happy baby. Nora was especially engaged with Casey, and it was just very beautiful to watch her. It was delightful that Jen and Pete had time in their busy work schedule to join us for this family gathering.
We celebrated the two graduations with cake and song. Elizabeth and I did a rendition of her "There is a Grad in the Garden" sung about Henry and Eliza to the old "Hole in the Bucket" folk song. Presents were given.

Afterward came badminton, Frisbee, swimming in the pond, and plenty of good small talks. Bruce and Courtney gave me a tour of Courtney's garden. Bruce had plenty to say about raising vegetables. Being with him is like taking a course on organic farming of vegetables with delightful stories tossed into the mix of information.

Bruce also recommended a Buddhist book o
Anger by Thich Hnat hanh. I read some of it last night as Elizabeth had it on her shelf.

Elizabeth and I tired early as we do so much lately and drove home talking about the fun of the day. We had a fine sleep. Cory goes back to the airport today. Dana drives home. Seems like a short visit. Later in the day we entertain a bunch here at the house for supper and the stories and sharing continues.

Absolutely delightful day with family. We met the Reid-Weatherbys at the Bennington Farmer's market and watched Bruce market his greens and garlic tops. We all went to Isabelle's for some lunch. Three of us had the curry chicken salad and it was very good. The stories went on and on about old cars that people had pushed to exhaustion and ironic incidents.

Then we went to the farm to see the small beginnings of veggies just poking up through the rich earth. It will look a good bit different in a couple months. Bruce works hard. We could sense some of that as the day was hot and the black flies were buzzing. Bruce had a good job of watering to do and other tasks.

Abigail and Nora played some fine harmony on two recorders. The conversation inside was about computers and work processors. Interesting.

Bruce sent us home with a fine taste of his garden.

The ride back was past other old memories. We had enjoyed the Bennington bits and now we had the Tomhannock. The back route around Goyer's chain saw store and into Poestenkill. All routes I rarely ride now, but rode many times when I first lived here on the lake.

Back at the lake Peter met us with Casey for a fun evening of Texas Hold em and playing with the baby. We brought up a pizza from Kay's and warmed up some of the left over salmon for a fine lite supper.

I am very, very tired. I did not sleep well last night. Too much coffee. None today, and all I want to do is sleep.
It certainly is fun to have had such a fine night. These are the kinds of nights that my grandfather Frank had when I was a baby at Lime Lake only the game was pinochle. All my life I wanted such easy, playful family gatherings like he reported in the 1940's. Here they are.

I am ready for going early for bed, something my Grandfather rarely did if there were cards to play. I remember often falling asleep in the bedroom off the main room and listening to the chatter of the card games, the laughter, the moans. I can hear the rain falling pretty hard on the deck. The smell of the lake is here, and I feel very good.

Very nice to see Scott Rice tonight. I have not seen him in a long while. Slink's game drew him out and Mike Karp as well. It was a small Harriet Gibbons reunion.

Peter was a solid winner tonight, just racking up chip tray after chip tray. He writes that he left up fifty four after his pocket aces were busted, but the rest of the evening he owned the game. That is a huge win on a quarter chip table.

Still way to much rules debate for my comfort level. Some of it is just harangue for the sake of harangue.

Peter and I went t0 Tollgate and then to Stewart's for a bit of father/son time before the game. Nice to talk and joke with him.

Cory came in on the airplane tonight and we had a good visit on the way here to the Lake. He is a great kid, but don't tell him I said so, as it will spoil my reputation as an old complaining curmudgeon.

Fine day again tonight and good weather predicted for the weekend of family gatherings, memorial, graduation celebration. Looks like tomorrow we will go to Bennington to see Bruce and Abigail. Sunday is the gathering at Courtney's. Jim, Anne, Jacob and Ben are flying in from California. Pretty exciting.

Ron brought over a taste of a new Saranac beer with lemonade in it, but we each decided it was not such a good tasting beer. We had a good visit on the deck in the afternoon sun with the beer and some pretzels.

The lake was treated over the last couple days. I saw some young folks swimming, but perhaps they should have waited another day.

News from Keith was not so pleasant. Three herniated discs in his back. He is still in a good bit of pain.

Well, too much coffee for me tonight so as to be awake to pick Cory up at the airport. It is still working its caffeine.

Wednesday, June 11

sleepless.

A fine day yesterday. I cleaned up outside a bit. Some of the wild flowers are blooming.

Lunch was with Bruce and Joyce with Peter, Jen and baby at the Blue Ribbon Diner. We had a fine waitress. She was very funny and reminded me of the way waitresses were in those old 30's movies. It was a good gathering. Bruce sent me home with three trout he caught.

At Greg's poker game I got shellacked. Too tired I think. My game was way off and I gave back ninety dollars of my fine winnings from yesterday. I play again on Friday at Slink's.

We'll get ready for the family coming in on the weekend these two days, but I also have a visit to the old Livingston library where we will talk about old times for something that one of the teachers is putting together as a memorial for the closing building.