Here are two very happy young men! LightBoy and +OneFriend enjoyed a serendipitous ride in an antique Hacker Craft with a neighbor here on the Point. The neighbor was young when I was young and known for his exploits in the community. He and his brothers were some of Opie’s favorites. I remember one famous story involved a homemade diving suit and an excursion to the bottom of the cove that ended perhaps ingloriously. LightBoy and +OneFriend are in danger of pulling their cheek muscles!

Another week has come and gone. It’s Sunday again. How different this day is from last. It’s gloomy, threatening to rain, an ever-so-slight chill in the air. It did rain last night and the remnants of drips are wending their way through the leaves on the trees, pit-patting as they go.

I’m up early this morning, having my coffee and cruller on the porch. LightHusband was here briefly, but he’s out in the boat fishing now. As I know from our years together, this is perfect fishing weather. All the children and grandparents are still sleeping.

The LightChildren +One Friend have had a ball this vacation. The two boys have spent hours fishing (but rarely catching). There have been a few catches which LightGirl protests. The fish get thrown back so they might live long and prosper, get married or something silly like that. She’s too old for such nonsense, but she has a tender heart so we indulge her. There have been tubing runs, snorkeling classes, blueberry pies (2), corn on the cob (countless), running and jumping off the float, swimming, kayaking, friends, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, sleeping in, running around, playing and goofing off. It’s been a good vacation.

We return home tomorrow and take up the reins of our regular lives. I think we’re ready now.

My brother and his family arrived the other day.

But the biggest news right now is that …

…

… there’s a new Sniper in town!

+OneFriend took this, as well as many other good photos. He’s proving himself quite handy with a camera. +OneFriend’s mother is not going to be happy about this development. Not happy at all.

This is LightUncle1, the oldest of my two younger brothers. I should note this was taken right after a series of games during which LightBoy and +OneFriend challenged LightUncle1. Mostly it was thumb wrestling and the slap your hands game. LightUncle1 won But there was much laughter, giggling and general silliness had by all. Someday, they will challenge the older men and win, but for now they lose and giggle and everyone has fun.

We made our annual pilgrimage to Shelburne Museum yesterday. This has become a tradition that the LightChildren love. We even have a traditional exhibit that must be seen first. I’d tell you why the LightChildren are so fascinated, but first you have to click on the link to see what it is.

I got to see the temporary Georgia O’Keefe exhibit. I’ve only ever seen her more well known flowers and some of her southwestern inspired pieces with the bones in them. This exhibit really spanned her entire career. There was a timeline as well that gave clues to her life. She was fascinating. Her art was inspiring. Some of it was quite crudely done and I wondered why it was so sought after. Other pieces were breathtaking. In the morning, I’d read this bit by Christy at Dry Bones Dance and so I had echoes of thoughts about setting appropriate boundaries running in my head as I walked through this exhibit. I wondered about Georgia’s life and times. I thought about her ability to set boundaries and follow her muse despite what must have been enormous pressure to be a feminine woman, have a husband, and children. I didn’t come to any conclusions, but I think I’d like to read a biography and find out more about her.

I also got to see the Kaleidoscope Quilts exhibit. I’ll have to come clean here and say that it was the primary impetus behind my desire to go to the museum. But the LightChildren do love it and OneFriend likes museums too. I enjoyed the quilts and my conversation with the quilter (president of the state guild as she was sure to inform me) who was there to talk to visitors.

In the same building with the quilts were other displays of antique needlearts. Of particular interest to me are the samplers; needlework done by young women about LightGirl’s age to highlight the skills they had learned throughout their youth. That they were now ready to take on the larger tasks of womanhood. One sampler in particular stood out to me, the saying on it was thus: “In God We Hope.” The difference of one word and it makes all the difference.

We went on to visit the old schoolhouse, the displays of antique woodcarving (cigarstore fronts, weathervanes, ship figureheads, etc.), the blacksmith shop and the smithy. The blacksmith was calm and wonderful to speak with. He talked to the LightChildren +OneFriend about the joys and dangers of smithing. They (all four) had quite a philosophical conversation about whether or not having wealth was good or bad. It was interesting to be a bystander to that and hear the children wrestle through some of what they’ve heard us talk about.

In God we hope.

The view from of the lake our 6th floor hotel room … when we checked in last night.

We began with a jaunt down to camp, to drop off the extras that we don’t need for the weekend and to say hello to the LightParents (and give my mother her much belated Mother’s Day gift – I didn’t want to ship it). To my delight, my two friends on either side are here and will be here for the duration of our stay. We reconnected briefly with promises of more and longer conversations on one another’s porches later on. Such is the vibe of camp. We watch our children grow in delight and amazement, all the while supporting each other along the way. It is a unique and nourishing community.

Somewhat later, I had what was possibly the best lunch of my entire life. It consisted of curried chicken salad with cranberry chutney and roasted cashews. We ate on the patio of Pauline’s. LightHusband was worried it was the luncheon spot for old ladies. It was. We looked around … all older ladies lunching in twos. In any case, I savored every single bite of that lunch. Every one. I didn’t even mind that my lemonade was powdered.

Then we walked around Church Street in Burlington and had coffee served to us ala Shakespeare at Uncommon Grounds (with apple pie). Then we walked and shopped and looked and daydreamed. Mostly we people watched. The people here are … um … interesting. Very few shop at the same store. One might wear anything (and I do mean that quite literally) one wishes.

A leisurely two hour dinner at a sidewalk bistro … pan seared scallops, if you please with a pint of microbrewed, unfiltered India Pale Ale. Why yes, this is the life to which I am accustomed. Our seats allowed for a fine mix of people watching and conversation. The perfect end to a lovely day.

… gone! Well. We’re off. Today we leave for our vacation. Sunday we pick up the LightChildren + OneFriend and head for camp.

The house is pretty clean. We relaxed some here and got ready on our own time. This was fairly novel. I really enjoyed it.

This morning I checked the weather, as I sipped my coffee. For last few of you not convinced that global warming isn’t happening, WeatherUnderground read like a Monty Python skit this morning. For some reason, I just couldn’t stop laughing. In the North Atlantic, (my pet) Tropical Storm Chris. In the Pacific, Tropical Depression Faabbbio. Temperature – 73 … humidity 94%. The air is nine and half months pregnant with water; the molecular miniscus cannot hold.

It’s supposed to be cooler and dryer in Vermont; I hope so. My sewing is packed. My books are packed. My clothes. LightHusband has his fishing and photography equipment to document our adventure. So … we’re on our way. Here’s a photo of the quilt top I finished and sent out to be quilted yesterday. My big accomplishment before leaving.

Friends who can finally relax because they are recognized for doing well in their jobs.

Friends who are bringing new babies into the world.

Friends who have finally brought their babies home for awhile.

Wonderful women who write, create and express the beauty of God for the rest of us. And especially the Holly who did the remarkable work of pulling it all together. My copy came in the mail yesterday on a day when I was feeling like I just could not possibly put one foot in front of the other one more time. Then the mailman put Effloresce in my hands and I realized I could.

Being on vacation in my own house. Anticipating vacation in New England and seeing the LightChildren again. I’m beginning to miss those two rascals.

My parents and LightHusband’s parents who have graciously taken their grandchilren for a week so that we could have two weeks alone.

Good banana yogurt smoothies for breakfast.

RevGals Meme …
Many areas of the United States are having a heat wave. Global warming, anyone? Look on the bright side of melting glaciers and enviro-destruction by taking a crack at the Friday Five:

1. What’s the high temperature today where you are?

Wowzers … it’s supposed to be 90. But who know’s what the heat index (that’s the “feels like” temperature) is going to be

2. Favorite way(s) to beat the heat.

Is there anything besides air conditioning?

3. “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” Evaluate this statement.

Humidity sucks the life and oxygen out of everything. Here’s how it works. Hydrogen comes sashaying along wearing sexy perfume and a lowcut dress. She sweet talks Oxygen into a romantic night on the town. Before you know it they’ve run off to Vegas for quickie marriage and just-our-luck it lasts. Since there are 2 Hydrogens for every Oxygen we have to assume they are into polygamy! Humidity is actually a sin.

4. Discuss one or more of the following: sauna, hot tub, sweat lodge, warm-stone massage.

Saunas are wonderful, awesome inventions … the only exception being when you step out your front door and find that the entire out of doors has been turned into a sauna. Then … they stink. Saunas are especially wonderful after a swim in the winter. Hot tubs are equally wonderful inventions.

5. Hottest you’ve ever been in your life

102 … I think.

Or maybe it was when I used to go out clubbing with my friends … I was pretty hot back then.

Non-temperature related bonus: In your opinion… who’s hot? Johnny Depp … ummm hm.

I’ve used that old hack, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” so often that I’ve forgotten what lemons taste like. I’ve incorporated it so deeply into my life that lemons just automatically become lemonade. For many years I’ve thought that to be positive was a good and necessary trait. This morning I realized it’s not always so. I think that it’s a tragedy of our culture that we do not allow ourselves to engage with the lemons before turning them into lemonade. To feel them, smell them, taste them … in short allow ourselves to feel whatever pain we need to feel in order to move on.

In April of 1998, LightHusband suffered what we thought was a short term back injury. It turned into a three year odyssey which included weekly doctor visits to Walter Reed, a year and a half on convalescent leave and high-powered narcotics. His condition remained undiagnosed for more than two-thirds of that time. Many of the treatments actually aggravated his condition and made it life-long. Much of the time he couldn’t sit or stand for more than ten minute periods. The children were quite small; it began shortly after LightBoy’s first birthday and we knew we were finally out of the woods around his fifth birthday. It was, to put it mildly, a nightmare.

We met way back when. Way back when we were both enthralled with fife and drum music. He was in The Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps. We both belonged to a civilian corps. We wrote music together, put together shows, wrote marching drill, taught students. But mostly we dreamed about the day when he would retire from the Army and we’d go back to New England with our own children and march in a fife and drum corps back there. That dream was shattered forever in April of 1998. He will never ever be able to march again. He can barely play his snare drum through a song or two without being in pain for several days. We’re still enthralled with the music. I love to play. I’m still quite good, the fingers remember. But how can I? It just hurts too much.

The Israelites called it “mara” or bitter water. I think it’s lemon water … lemonade with no sugar. I’m learning to experience the lemons; to feel the pain in order to move on.

I’m experiencing that rarest of gifts for a parent, peace and quiet. The LightChildren are visiting their grandparents for two weeks. They are with my parents this week, and with LightHusband’s parents next week. They are in Vermont. We are here. Ahhhh. I love those two dearly, but sometimes they leave me with my ears bleeding from all the words I have to hear. The ramp up to this trip was hair-raising. I have to apologize to the BrickDude. He and his lovely wife, GoldenGirl, came to visit and trade cars with us the evening before the LightChildren left. There came a point in the evening when both children were talking at the same time, in ever increasing volumes, about different subjects to BrickDude. It was horrifying. He handled it with aplomb. But they left shortly thereafter.

The next day, packed and ready to go, we set out for the airport. We stopped for lunch at a favored Indian restaurant. We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare for any “unforeseen circumstances,” such as identity needs, long lines, who knows. Nothing happened. There were no “unforeseen circumstances.” With one tiny exception. We checked the LightChildren in at the ticket counter, checked their luggage, filled out the “unaccompanied minor” paperwork, had a lovely chat with the ticket lady (who was very kind and just the tiniest bit frazzled when her key got stuck in the drawer) and then she spoke the words of doom in the most cheerful voice imaginable, “So, which ONE of you will be accompanying the children to the gate?” Me (reeling and looking around and the millions of people and imagining shepherding the children through the masses of evil humanity alone … and remember my lingering panic disorder which gets worse in crowds): “Ummm … One? You mean BOTH of us can’t go with them?” Cheerful Ticket Lady (who’s name was Eva): “Oh no, I can only allow ONE of you to go. So who will it be?” LightHusband is rather desperate to relieve himself of the duty because he had spent all morning with them while I went to a guild event and his ears were bleeding. Really. But I. Just. Could. Not. Go. I also could not stay and not go with my dear children. In the end, LightHusband graciously gave way and allowed me to stay back. We dawdled around as long as is possible in place that is so clearly NOT designed for people to wait. There are no places for sitting, only places for standing in line or walking. One is clearly expected to complete one’s business and go on one’s way here; do not dawdle.

In the end, I found a Cinnabon stand, purchased a tasty treat, a cup of coffee and a couple of magazines to read. It was interesting to me that when he got to the gate LightHusband also bought a magazine to look at. He got Food & Wine. This is a fun magazine. What do I get when I have a few hours to myself in a busy airport? The Economist, U.S. News & World Report, and another magazine about living green. That’s sad; it says something about my inability to relax.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed my little piece of time to catch up on some reading about world affairs. It’s a passion of mine that I’ve had little time to indulge since the advent of children in my life. I’ve even gone so far as to subscribe to the on-line version of The Economist. I used to read it frequently, now I’ll be able to again.

I spent most of my time reading about the current crisis between Israel and Lebanon. It’s a situation that is heartbreaking. Lebanon was just struggling back to her feet. There are times when I’d like to give Syrian president Assad a real talking to. Seriously, the Syrians need to own up to the underhanded work they are doing. A small splinter group in Lebanon has demolished it yet again. The picture that went with the article made me cry.

Then I read this sentence or two:

On each of these fronts the fighting was precipitated by an audacious attack on Israel’s army by fighters belonging to extreme Islamist groups that combine the functions of armed militias—“terrorists”, says Israel—and elected political parties.

The phrase, “armed militias,” caught my eye. We bluster on here in the U.S. about our highly touted “War on Terror.” But what was the Revolutionary War? It was many groups of “armed militias” using guerilla tactics against a much larger, colonial power who was trying to take away freedoms that our forefathers thought they had a “right” to.

I’m not sure how far out we or I can draw this analogy, but I have to wonder what tactics our forefathers would have used if they had had the weaponry at their disposal that the Arabs do today. I wonder if we were British would we consider them heros? or terrorists? Just what does it look like when it’s your land, religion and way of life that is at risk?

It’s really hard to define, that.