We're having a party....

Is summer really here or is it a trick... 85 plus degrees, shore traffic and sun tan lotion... The day was like a mini summer vacation.. the start seems like days ago instead of
hours. we crammed so much into the mix that I am spinning to figure out what or where to start. While it was a long and winding summer like day, the type of day that calls for doing nothing, we found ourselves at little league, softball, birthday party and wrapped the evening with a mini block party... again... think the concept of neighbors hanging in the street to all hours drinking and chatting is becoming the norm for the hill...

Baseball was a blast... little guy played his heart out in the 80 degree heat... a couple of good hits and some fielding... most of the team was focused and having fun... The little guy I mentioned before was at it again... this time he was waiting for an aunt to arrive, so the entire game he was yelling to his Dad.. is she here yet... why isn't she here yet.. I think you better call the cops to look for her... like you said dad.. this field is dam hard to find... this went on for three innings.... when she arrived, he walked off the field, right up to her and began asking a thousand questions... the best being heard by most.. was my dad right you can't read a map...

Toots took Big Sis to her game... different story.. the Have fun coach... didn't allow her to warm up before the game... so after just a few practice throws, she had to face a batter... she got lit up... second inning was much better... when she came off the field the coach had actually said to her.. you played better last year... I heard this when I arrived in the 4th... I had to bite my tongue... she had some solid hits.. drove in some runs and played a good defensive game.

Counter moved again... time has a way of doing that... 22 days and the world changes, our history and legacy lives on... While the neighbors mulled around tonight... one of our neighbors walked up... he was feeling no pain... this guy is an odd duck.. doesn't socialize, has no kids... kind of neighbor that you read about in the papers.. usually with the comment he was a quiet man... kept to himself... anyway.. he started in that he was glad he and the wife didn't have kids... that he can travel when and where he wanted to with out the baggage of kids... I bit my tongue... ( Did that a lot today)... cause I had several thoughts race through my mind.. but the one that stuck.. was sadness for him.. sure he can Christmas in some remote village in Mexico.. but who will he tell this adventure to in 20 or 30 years... Sure you can tell friends and strangers about your travels.. but the story and history is lost without family... Like using electronic jamming chaff as tinsel on a Christmas tree... With kids, you have a captive audience to repeat your history to ... over and over.... and while you think they might not listen... it pops up in a blog 40 years later... This is the stuff friends don't remember... his oral history is really cocktail party chatter that fades faster than the ice cubes in a half empty glass.... OK not much about 22 days catching me.. or baskets and swollen feet... 22 days starts another "round" of rocks painted with the greatest Mom or Dad on it... pictures that only a parent can decipher... and millions of single moments that will impact and influence Dot and the family that surrounds her...

Guest contributor tonight... Big Sis wanted every one to know about her dream...

I dreamt that Mom had the baby...But it was a lot bigger than a normal baby... it knew how to talk and walk... At the baptism party... Dot was walking around introducing herself to everyone... she was so big that she had to wear a communion dress... after the party, we went home and the Baby was to big for the crib.. so she had to sleep in a bed... Then I woke up cause I got freaked out...

Proud Big Sis...

That's it for today... keep those cards and letters coming... While I don't do this for praise... Thank you to all that have let me know you enjoy this... that it has become part of your routine... that it has put a smile on our face...

Be Good...