First Bouquet

Late July brought zinnia blooms and gladioli and that means that the fresh bouquet season has begun.

That's happy!

Garden Update

For the fourth year in a row, New Jersey has had the hottest July on record.  Setting aside what this says about global climate change (seriously, I grow weary of the climate change denial crowd), that's a challenge for gardeners like me.  Luckily, this version of hell-hot July was also accompanied with pretty steady rainfall.  Factor in the sprinkler and things are coming along quite nicely in my garden.

These pictures were made after my return from Cape Cod, when I enjoyed some cherry tomatoes while I await the ripe slicing tomatoes.

There is also a steady supply of fresh cucumbers.

And zinnia bouquets are on their way.  Heat not withstanding, it's been a glorious green summer to celebrate.

Profile

Since the day he was born, each month I have made a picture of JT on (or around) the 17th.  The monthly pictures have made their way into small photo books which are a handy portrait of my growing boy.  From baby to toddler to pre-schooler to boy and now teenager, I can turn the pages of the books and have a reminder of much he has changed over the years.

One of the most arresting developments in my life of late is the fact that I no longer live with a little boy.  I'd grown accustomed to that mama-of-a-boy existence.  My boy was getting taller, but the changes were less obvious. For some years, anyway, that was the pattern.  I lived with a chubby-cheeked, sweet-voiced kid.  But lately, it's been much more than that.  The last year has brought JT 6 inches of height, a deeper voice, and impressive strength.   Turning through the pages of my monthly book of pictures I can see how fast he changed in the last year.  It's a strange thing to look at your baby and see a young man.  And yet, that is my life these days.

Batty

On Monday morning around 2 am, JT woke up and announced that a bird was flapping around his room.  As it turned out, it was no bird.

Eeep.

Our first line of defense was to shut the bedroom door and open the windows, in hopes that the bat would leave of his own accord.  It seemed that was the case (i.e., it was no longer on the wall after a couple of hours) and we returned to bed to finish out the night.

Fast forward to Monday evening and bad news in the bat cave: the bat was back.    This time, we removed it via a plastic box, using this method.  And by we, I mean JT, whose catcher's skills mean he has far quicker reflexes than me.  We placed the bat outside and so far it hasn't returned.

I like to say that guests are always welcome, but it would seem I need to specify what types of guests.  So, those of you who fly around our heads in the night should find other accommodations.

Summer in One Photo

Back in Black

While my VW Jetta wagon, Little Blue, is in the shop getting repaired (a $5000 and 3 week job), I get a loaner rental car.  My insurance stipulates that the rental be a vehicle similar to my own and someone at the rental company has a sense of humor because this is my loaner car.

It's a Nissan Pathfinder and it is large and in charge.  It has earned various names in its time with us: the Behemouth, the Canyonero, and Black Beauty.  When we roll out for long journeys, JT queues up "Back in Black" to accompany our movement.  It seems fitting.

The car has truckloads of room and, despite its size, is surprisingly agile to drive.  The gas mileage isn't great (about 20 mpg on the highway) but we ride in comfort everywhere we go, looking down upon the commoners.  After years of disparaging automatic transmissions, it's worth noting that I find this one impressive and it was quite handy in the three hour traffic jam that accompanied our departure from the Cape on Saturday (seriously, three hours…..Saturday departures will happen no more).

And did I mention that the car is spacious?  It has two rows of seats and both can be collapsed to create a vast trunk.  At camp, JT loaded up his air mattress to demonstrate the comfort available in the back of this beast.

My only complaint about the car is that it feels patently ridiculous for just two people to be exiting from the vehicle.  If I were to acquire one of these for my permanent use, I'd need several more children, enough to form my own baseball  infield team.  I'd certainly have the space.

Camp Traditions

One of the boys' favorite camp activities is playing on the beach and swimming in the ocean.

This is even more fun if the elusive Cape Cod shark gives chase, an event that invariably happens after some well-placed taunts from the boys.

And God bless that shark, because these boys are bigger than ever and chasing them off her beach is no small challenge.  But chase them she does.

Thanks, Miss S.  You took one for the mama team.

Camp Home

Last week, we made our annual trip to Cape Cod.  We've been joining the R-K family at camp for eight years now and the trip is a combination of new adventures and familiar routines.  For most of the time we've been making the trip, we've camped in the same set of camp sites.  Our tent bedroom affords views of the piney forest.

The dining room room is (mostly) bug-free.

The living room provides shady comfort with great views.

This year, DRK made a lovely, mossy art project.

Once little boys are now far larger than their shovels, though they still enjoy the planning that goes into digging a big hole on the beach.

Camping is a reminder of the simple beauty of nature and the pleasures of the outdoors.  The return home is a reminder of the many comforts of our first-world existence.  And the trip is one of the best parts of our summer.

Polka Dot Packages

I love wrapping paper and ribbons and especially like graphics and designs that feature bold colors and clean lines.  So it should come as no surprise that I like tidy patterns and especially love polka dots.

These packages have treats for T, who knows a thing or two about my love of polka dots.

Just as the Religious Right Warned

Look here, Taco Bell, the Supreme Court has some standards.  Stand down, mild sauce.