seeds

Asparagus seeds appearing along with the red conical seed pods of the sumac trees. Thistles appearing in the fields. The goldfinches love them. Pumpkin blossoms flowering in a field in Proctor.

Be silly, be honest, be kind.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Norwegian wood

This bird has flown.

growing season

The growing season is in earnest in the Green Mountain state at this time. Corn is shooting up rapidly. Allyn planted lettuce, parsley and basil some weeks ago. For awhile, it looked like they wouldn't even survive. They are all thriving now. Looks like we'll have some pesto in the fall.

pockets

Pockets of lavender amid the greenery, common night shade and forget-me-nots. Got home late last night from the Giants-Red Sox game, and heard bears hooting in the back under the moonlight. Full moon, the "Thunder" Moon tonight.

summer

It's cool today, but it has been hazy hot and humid here recently. That is to be expected in mid July in Vermont. I have found myself sweating inside the house. Watermelon and NA beer have been popular items. Vermonters often use tents and other contraptions to sleep outside this time of year.

good bye

Erin, Andy and the kids headed off for Brasilia yesterday. Erin and Eliza have lived here since April. Cartoons was born here in June. Andy came back in July. It has been a loud and lively time here, a lot of people in a small house. I expected to be sad when they left, but I was mostly feeling gratitude and happiness, for all of us. There was a tinge of wistfulness to be sure. I felt exactly the same way when John, Ellen, and Owen left, mostly happiness and gratitude.
I loved my own grandparents, but they never lived with us. They never even took care of us in any meaningful way that I can remember. Not every grandparent gets to have the kind of intimate working relationship that we have been so fortunate to experience; walking Owen around Wallingford in his stroller, trying to get him to sleep. Taking Eliza to Wonderfeet, and then hauling her back home for her nap when she doesn't want to leave. Holding Clark at four in the morning to let Erin get some rest. It is always nice to feel you are needed.
These kinds of arrangements aren't always easy, but they are very fulfilling. There is the feeling that a foundation has been laid upon which something meaningful can be built. I am grateful for wonderful children and grandchildren. I am grateful for Ellen and Andy for letting us in. I'm a lucky guy.

moment

Woman bicyclist stopped along the side of the road, eating an apple, gazing off into a pasture full of cows.

In the sun
the butterfly wings
Like a church window
Jack Kerouac
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