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