hello everyone--how are you all?
david is in houston, so i just finished vacuuming and mowing the backyard. and now i've finally put the AC on. it was up to 100 today.
things have been going well since we got home. we went camping one weekend, took friday off and went up to gore pass, west of kremmling. found a dispersed site, and hiked and read, and david taught me to play hearts. that was fun! we really needed some time in the woods.
we made history by seeing bob dylan at red rocks a couple of weeks ago. we went with my friend diane from work, and her boyfriend. we took brats up and grilled in the parking lot and watched all the people;. it was pretty mellow, but bob can still rock. he played lots of new stuff, but started with everyone must get stoned, and ended with a jazzy blowing in the wind. his band was in matching suits, and he was in a suit with a bandana tie, and a straw hat. it was really really fun. i felt like i was in my 20's again--but i told mom it was just the same except i was wearing a white shirt and a bra! if you have never been to red rocks for a concert, you should go while you have a place to stay here at our house! dylan hasn't been to red rocks for 20 years.
david built our little shade redwood lattice corner on the NW corner of the patio. it looks great--he did a really good job. now we have to plant some grapes and trumpet vines.
the ireland pictures are wonderful. you look like you are having fun. i hope you and the kids had a great time. and the grover wild horse video was so funny. what a good dog! freya is a hoot.
i've gotten some runs in during the cool parts of the days--mostly evenings. the dogs are laying around and drinking lots of water.
we're here for another weekend, and david will go out and do some riding. then he's in an enduro in montrose in 2 weeks. he's gotten a couple of good rids in lately. while i stay at home and dink around with the dogs or hang out--or run errands.
we hope you are all well---take care--love--michele and david
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Must Be Summer
It sure is quiet around here--I think that's a sign of summer winding to a close and everyone wanting to get in as much fun time as possible.
We just had Freya in another week of swim lessons. She enjoys the water much more than she did before, but she's still a little unsure so she sticks pretty tightly to Matt and I. We're leaving tomorrow on vacation to Eagle Lake, California. It's between Susanville and Lassen Volcanic National Park, if that means anything to anyone. We went to Lassen on vacation about 3 years ago and loved it, so we decided to head back to that area this year. Eagle Lake is California's second largest natural lake and has a subspecies of trout--the Eagle Lake rainbow, I believe--that is supposed to be quite tasty. So Matt is excited from a catching them standpoint, and I am excited from an eating them standpoint. I think Freya will just be excited overall.
Here's a recent one of Freya. I had found a pair of Crocs (knock-offs) at a yard sale for her a few weeks ago, and it has taken her some time to get used to them. This was in the early days... Oops, looks like Blogger is having a problem with the image upload right now. Well, we'll have plenty of great photos from our vacation to share, so we'll just have to owe you.
Love,
Casey, Matt & Freya
We just had Freya in another week of swim lessons. She enjoys the water much more than she did before, but she's still a little unsure so she sticks pretty tightly to Matt and I. We're leaving tomorrow on vacation to Eagle Lake, California. It's between Susanville and Lassen Volcanic National Park, if that means anything to anyone. We went to Lassen on vacation about 3 years ago and loved it, so we decided to head back to that area this year. Eagle Lake is California's second largest natural lake and has a subspecies of trout--the Eagle Lake rainbow, I believe--that is supposed to be quite tasty. So Matt is excited from a catching them standpoint, and I am excited from an eating them standpoint. I think Freya will just be excited overall.
Here's a recent one of Freya. I had found a pair of Crocs (knock-offs) at a yard sale for her a few weeks ago, and it has taken her some time to get used to them. This was in the early days... Oops, looks like Blogger is having a problem with the image upload right now. Well, we'll have plenty of great photos from our vacation to share, so we'll just have to owe you.
Love,
Casey, Matt & Freya
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Lots of laughs
Who'd a thunk it? Freya a YouTube star!?! We nearly dropped our laptop we were laughing so hard. Everyone who has entered the house has had to see it! She is really a hoot! Grover looks so detached, which is probably good.
Mark, your pictures are great. It took a while to load them, but it was worth it. It looked like a great trip and there was some blue sky and sun, so it didn't rain all the time. I can't believe you rode bikes even on Inishmore-those roads were also very skinny and had lots of tour buses. Our B and B in Sligo was decorated in red, white and black with Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Elvis pictures and memorabilia. It was the weirdest place we stayed in. But we liked Sligo.
All is well here. We have been working, some of us caddying and working at golf courses, playing golf, watching golf on TV and live, and occasionally getting on the boat or cleaning up the yard. Had a few social events thrown in and not much time is left. Bridget has to start applying for the Evans Scholarship very soon, so that will add a new task for a few of us.
Thanks everyone for sending photos and narratives of events. This is a good way to keep up. Also enjoyed the article and pics about babies at work. We miss Freya, and of course her parents! Love, Susan
Mark, your pictures are great. It took a while to load them, but it was worth it. It looked like a great trip and there was some blue sky and sun, so it didn't rain all the time. I can't believe you rode bikes even on Inishmore-those roads were also very skinny and had lots of tour buses. Our B and B in Sligo was decorated in red, white and black with Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Elvis pictures and memorabilia. It was the weirdest place we stayed in. But we liked Sligo.
All is well here. We have been working, some of us caddying and working at golf courses, playing golf, watching golf on TV and live, and occasionally getting on the boat or cleaning up the yard. Had a few social events thrown in and not much time is left. Bridget has to start applying for the Evans Scholarship very soon, so that will add a new task for a few of us.
Thanks everyone for sending photos and narratives of events. This is a good way to keep up. Also enjoyed the article and pics about babies at work. We miss Freya, and of course her parents! Love, Susan
Sunday, July 22, 2007
A Quick Idaho Post
Welcome home, Mark & kids! Thanks for sharing those great pictures. Now I want to go...
Here's a video of Freya saddled up and ready to ride to town...on Grover. He's so patient. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rC9fEtVLrc
I've got to run--I have a lunch date with a friend. Hope you're all well, and we'll post more soon.
Love,
Casey, Matt & Freya
Here's a video of Freya saddled up and ready to ride to town...on Grover. He's so patient. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rC9fEtVLrc
I've got to run--I have a lunch date with a friend. Hope you're all well, and we'll post more soon.
Love,
Casey, Matt & Freya
Saturday, July 21, 2007
At the Hill of Tara
Domi poses with the Lia Fail, the "Stone of Destiny" where Irish Kings were crowned, on the Hill of Tara, legendary home of the faerie folk. It was pouring rain, but a beautiful double rainbow appeared as we were leaving. We couldn't find the pot o' gold....
Apparently a very busy time!!
Finding the Ireland pictures this morning was great.
These really bracket many Ireland years!! It is great that the surprise he planned for the kids worked out at the Wild Onion Cafe in Limerick!
All of us must have been very busy when Mark's last entry was the only one until his picture entries appeared today. That has been true here.
Guess Susan was the only one to respond to Michele's "back home" message. Don't think we did.
The days between June 30 and July 8 are pretty much of a blur, but every gathering was a treat. Kevin and Declan's visit on the afternoon of the 30th when Declan helped with the mowing and the day ended with pizza after Michele and David arrived at Potter's Lake was a great start. Glad Mark was able to join us.
Jay, Susan and the weather people were totally prepared for all of us who were able to gather on Sunday July 1. Stephen, Lyn, Magdalena, Casey, Matt and Freya were really missed. David and Michele paid
us a visit on the the evening of the 3rd and hurried back to ET when there was some thunder and it began to rain. We had another great day here on the 4th with probably the first bocce ball games ever played in the back yard. Thursday found us in Sheboygan and some were in the surf of Lake Michigan on the only day we were able to see Magdalena. (Note from Grandma: My mistake--Daisy Fuentes did not die, in fact, she is designing clothes for Kohls). Friday, we met the
ET and Colorado golfers for lunch at Culvers in Mukwonago and said goodbye to M & D--Michele had to have her Culver fix before departure. Later there was a call from Kevin asking whether I would want to ride with some of them on the Glacier Drumlin trail beginning in Waukesha on Saturday morning. This event began about 9 AM and Declan, Kevin, David and Ellis (on the tandem) and I headed west toward a meeting with Mark and probably Calvin and Capri.
Cell exchanges made adjustments in the meeting location. I made 7 miles to Wales and then headed back to Waukesha so I didn't see the Ft. A. contingent.
On Sunday, Kevin and Lyn came for a visit and Kevin
climbed the ladder I am not supposed to use to do some tar application to an area between the hall gable
and the upper bathroom flat roof where we had an ice jam last winter and some inside plaster/paint damage
which the insurance company has agreed to help repair. A valuable assist from Kevin. So ends part of the blur. All the efforts which made these family happenings possible are really appreciated.
Two highlights for the week of 7/9-14 were having the driveway sealed by a company from Muskego (and this sure beats stirring, carrying and pouring those 5 gallon buckets and then spreading the contents) and viewing/taping the American Masters program featuring Les Paul. A very interesting and comprehensive coverage of his musical life. We'll share this with all the guitar players. Susan was the only ET person to enjoy it, as far as we know.
Have scheduled a late August/early September visit with Freya, Casey and Matt after e-mails and phone visits to determine the best time for them. Will fly non-stop to Seattle using the new Midwest service
and rent a car. Will have a few extra days for some touring after the visit. Hope the three of them enjoy the vacation in northern California next week. Thanks to Casey for the tip to find pictures of Freya "on the job"!
Missed some excitement on Monday 7/15 just next door when the Rescue Squad (with sirens) were in Jamie's driveway to take him to the emergency room after he fell from his ladder when he was trimming some branches from a tree over his garden. The falling branch struck and moved the ladder and he fell about 15 feet. Sadie told Mom he will be laid up about 6 weeks. Has injury to his right (gun) hand along with some back injuries which are still being evaluated.
Having garden green beans this week and picked our
first cucumber on Thursday. A variety of salad greens have been used to augment some store lettuce. About 3 banana peppers are ready to pick. Quite a few good sized green tomatoes are being watched and, unfortunetly, watered frequently. Our area of WI is probably most dry. Weeds continue to grow, so a continuing pulling effort is moving from bed to bed.
Have confirmed plans to take the Sheboygan harbor cruise we won at last year's Kohler Art Festival on Tuesday afternoon, 7/24. Susan, David and Ellis and Finn will join us. Weather report looks good.
Happy birthday to Charlie and all of the other birthday folks, plus those with anniversaries. i hope we remembered all of them at the right time.
This is mom writing, and Dad really covered almost everything, as usual. Had a couple of funeral meals to help with. some garden work, some NorthDakota business to take care of. Dad told you about Aunt Geraldine and Dad had to notify O'C cousins about the plans, which will include a trip to jesup, IA for a memorial service, early in August. Dad's cousin
John will drive from CT and then back with us for an over-night before heading back home.
Love and prayers for each of you!
Mom and Dad
These really bracket many Ireland years!! It is great that the surprise he planned for the kids worked out at the Wild Onion Cafe in Limerick!
All of us must have been very busy when Mark's last entry was the only one until his picture entries appeared today. That has been true here.
Guess Susan was the only one to respond to Michele's "back home" message. Don't think we did.
The days between June 30 and July 8 are pretty much of a blur, but every gathering was a treat. Kevin and Declan's visit on the afternoon of the 30th when Declan helped with the mowing and the day ended with pizza after Michele and David arrived at Potter's Lake was a great start. Glad Mark was able to join us.
Jay, Susan and the weather people were totally prepared for all of us who were able to gather on Sunday July 1. Stephen, Lyn, Magdalena, Casey, Matt and Freya were really missed. David and Michele paid
us a visit on the the evening of the 3rd and hurried back to ET when there was some thunder and it began to rain. We had another great day here on the 4th with probably the first bocce ball games ever played in the back yard. Thursday found us in Sheboygan and some were in the surf of Lake Michigan on the only day we were able to see Magdalena. (Note from Grandma: My mistake--Daisy Fuentes did not die, in fact, she is designing clothes for Kohls). Friday, we met the
ET and Colorado golfers for lunch at Culvers in Mukwonago and said goodbye to M & D--Michele had to have her Culver fix before departure. Later there was a call from Kevin asking whether I would want to ride with some of them on the Glacier Drumlin trail beginning in Waukesha on Saturday morning. This event began about 9 AM and Declan, Kevin, David and Ellis (on the tandem) and I headed west toward a meeting with Mark and probably Calvin and Capri.
Cell exchanges made adjustments in the meeting location. I made 7 miles to Wales and then headed back to Waukesha so I didn't see the Ft. A. contingent.
On Sunday, Kevin and Lyn came for a visit and Kevin
climbed the ladder I am not supposed to use to do some tar application to an area between the hall gable
and the upper bathroom flat roof where we had an ice jam last winter and some inside plaster/paint damage
which the insurance company has agreed to help repair. A valuable assist from Kevin. So ends part of the blur. All the efforts which made these family happenings possible are really appreciated.
Two highlights for the week of 7/9-14 were having the driveway sealed by a company from Muskego (and this sure beats stirring, carrying and pouring those 5 gallon buckets and then spreading the contents) and viewing/taping the American Masters program featuring Les Paul. A very interesting and comprehensive coverage of his musical life. We'll share this with all the guitar players. Susan was the only ET person to enjoy it, as far as we know.
Have scheduled a late August/early September visit with Freya, Casey and Matt after e-mails and phone visits to determine the best time for them. Will fly non-stop to Seattle using the new Midwest service
and rent a car. Will have a few extra days for some touring after the visit. Hope the three of them enjoy the vacation in northern California next week. Thanks to Casey for the tip to find pictures of Freya "on the job"!
Missed some excitement on Monday 7/15 just next door when the Rescue Squad (with sirens) were in Jamie's driveway to take him to the emergency room after he fell from his ladder when he was trimming some branches from a tree over his garden. The falling branch struck and moved the ladder and he fell about 15 feet. Sadie told Mom he will be laid up about 6 weeks. Has injury to his right (gun) hand along with some back injuries which are still being evaluated.
Having garden green beans this week and picked our
first cucumber on Thursday. A variety of salad greens have been used to augment some store lettuce. About 3 banana peppers are ready to pick. Quite a few good sized green tomatoes are being watched and, unfortunetly, watered frequently. Our area of WI is probably most dry. Weeds continue to grow, so a continuing pulling effort is moving from bed to bed.
Have confirmed plans to take the Sheboygan harbor cruise we won at last year's Kohler Art Festival on Tuesday afternoon, 7/24. Susan, David and Ellis and Finn will join us. Weather report looks good.
Happy birthday to Charlie and all of the other birthday folks, plus those with anniversaries. i hope we remembered all of them at the right time.
This is mom writing, and Dad really covered almost everything, as usual. Had a couple of funeral meals to help with. some garden work, some NorthDakota business to take care of. Dad told you about Aunt Geraldine and Dad had to notify O'C cousins about the plans, which will include a trip to jesup, IA for a memorial service, early in August. Dad's cousin
John will drive from CT and then back with us for an over-night before heading back home.
Love and prayers for each of you!
Mom and Dad
On the Cliff
What you can't see is that it's about a 500 foot drop to the ocean... This is at Dun Longhasa, a prehistoric fortress on the island of Inishmore.
Friday, July 20, 2007
a few highlights from Ireland
at the entrance to Newgrange, a prehistoric astronomical observatory...
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Luck o' the Irish
I just checked weather.com, and the 10-day forecast for Ireland is for rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, and some precipitation. Can't wait :) Oh well, I guess that makes for good castle weather!
We're going to try to fit in some geocaching while we're there; can't wait to see what kind of doodads the Irish leave in their caches...
Great to see everyone this week! Lyn and Magda, I'm sorry we never got to see you, but I hope your time in Wisconsin was good.
I sent the trip itinerary to Mom & Dad, so we're all good!
Love to all,
Mark
We're going to try to fit in some geocaching while we're there; can't wait to see what kind of doodads the Irish leave in their caches...
Great to see everyone this week! Lyn and Magda, I'm sorry we never got to see you, but I hope your time in Wisconsin was good.
I sent the trip itinerary to Mom & Dad, so we're all good!
Love to all,
Mark
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