Saturday, May 25th, 2013

…and so the first day of summer vacation begins just as abruptly as last summer ended. During the past ten months we have all gone through many changes: we have grown a bit older, have made decisions that affected certain outcomes, and have consumed a substantial amount of food to sustain our lives. Today, I purchased a variety pack of thirty-six Good Humor Bars for $10.98 at Wal-Mart. There are currently five left, which may be a good indicator of the number of visitors that have been here today.

Grace and Isabell’s friends, Josie and Emma were dropped off today by their mother Kim. They came running up the driveway with floats already anticipating a swim in the cool pool. They were the first three visitors today, and the first visitors of the season.

Jenny, our lab, got out of her pen and ran five houses down to Gay’s house (David’s ex-wife), and was returned by Gay and her sister. This in itself is a story that may one day be told.

Melissa, Jeff, Austin, Cole, and Ben arrived around 6:30 PM for dinner. The weather was great. We sat outside and ate hamburgers, chips, and tea. Midway through our dinner, yelling for “Angus” from the neighbors began to consume our meal time conversation. Laughter about the loudest belches and other bodily noises that were produced throughout the consumption of our meal was now drowned out by cries from the neighbor begging her dog to return home. Soon after, Jo and Harlee were at our house trying to gain the attention of their dogs, Angus and Shorty. Trying to convince them to return home was difficult, but after staying briefly to color with chalk on the back patio, they returned home with their dogs.  While eating, we were also visited by a friend of Mandy’s, Larry, who was picking her up for her own dinner date. After eating and sharing much laughter with family, Cole informed us that he wanted to “night swim” which was in fact named so because he would be swimming at night.  After swimming for an hour or so with temperatures in the mid 60’s; Cole, Austin, Ben, and Isabell gave it up and enjoyed the rest of the evening inside while wearing the dry clothes in which they had arrived. All in all it was a great day, and a great first day of summer vacation.

Another change in which I forgot to mention was that David’s brother, Arnold, passed away this past spring losing his battle with lung cancer. Arnold was a visitor nearly every day last summer and will be missed this summer just as much as he has been missed this past month. There are no words that can be said which can express the feelings of loss for a loved one.  And for my husband, David, and his family; I am truly sorry for their loss. With that, I will close for now.

Today’s tally: 13 visitors and 2 dogs