(Long) Weekend Things ~ Fourth of July

We usually stick close to home for the Fourth of July, but this year C's step-siblings were in town, so we headed up to camp for a few days.

But first, of course, we hit our town's parade, which was somewhat diminished due to new safety rules (no uninsured floats; no throwing candy from moving vehicles).




The rules didn't stop the fire truck brigade.




Nor the annual walking social justice float.



The fourth was hot and sticky, as I think it was all over the world, so afterward we found our way to a new swimming hole (which was an improvement over our original plan of running through the sprinklers). Afterward, we had a low-key cookout in the back yard.



I had thought this would be the year we finally made it to a firework show, but my brother-in-law showed up with a load of backyard fireworks just in time to save our children from a) having to leave the house and b) having to share space with strangers. Somewhere between the swimming hole and the cookout, the auto focus on my regular camera lens quit working, so no photos of the fireworks.

The next day, we headed up to camp, where the weather was perfect for soaking in the lake, canoeing, cooking out, and just general relaxicating.




We arrived home on Saturday, just in time for C and I to head out to a gala and performance of Pride@Prejudice (yes, the @ is intentional, and no, I did not even notice it when I bought the tickets; it refers to a device—literal and figurative, as in the actors made use of cell phones, laptops, etc.--the playwrite used for clever asides that explained some ambiguities to the audience and summarized bits of the narrative to scrunch the story into play length).

I was so excited about the gala (period costume optional), that I made a semi-regency dress to wear. I say semi because I bought a period-style pattern, but, taking one look at it realized it was way more complicated than I wanted to deal with so instead adapted the design of a blouse I have with an empire waist and raglan sleeves.

Weekend Things ~ Camp

We spent Labor Day Weekend at C's stepmother's camp, as we have every year for the last eight years.

Our summers vary from year to year.

Some years we go camping, some we take a big trip, some we go to one beach, some to another, others we spend more at the lake.

But we always start summer with our May weekend at Hermit Island.

And finish it with Labor Day at Toddy Pond.

The two trips make nice bookends to the season.

And both places serve as growth charts for the boys.

This year we had hotter weather than usual, and the lake warmer than the Y pool where I swim every other morning.

We spent more time swimming than ever.

There was also snorkeling (by people other than me who actually want to see what goes on under that dark water...I prefer remaining ignorant).

Paddling.

Fishing.

Eating.

I read two whole books (just-for-fun mysteries that were oh-so-good).

And did a little water color painting.

I even knit a row before the weekend was through (which I had to undo on the drive home because I knit the wrong row).

(Photo by Z to prove I actually exist).

Weekend Things--Easy Does It

Increasingly, Labor Day Weekend has become a time to rest up and recover for summer, and brace ourselves for all that fall brings--school, homework, soccer.

Again this year, we opted to spend just one day at camp, eating, lolling on the dock, trawling for fish from the boat, paddling to Ten Pound Island to pick blueberries and huckleberries.

At one point, the boys were all inside playing poker and I was sitting on the edge of the lake, reading a book, when I heard a rustling in the trees overhead and something large and feathered plopped into the water right in front of me. I let out a yelp of surprise (those inside the camp claim it was more of a shriek that could be heard echoing up and down the pond) and the osprey, no doubt as startled by its sudden drop as I was (I really do think it fell into the water) shook his wings and took off up the lake, trailing his last shreds of dignity.

On the way home, we stopped at John's Ice Cream for dinner, and ended up going into a cafe for French toast (the boys) and a veggie burger (me) first. It started to rain just as we got back in the car and made our way toward home and one last day of summer vacation.

Life in Colonial Times

Last week, E and Z went to camp participated in the apprenticeship program at our local colonial era historic park.

They--both fans of the familiar and comfortable--did not want to do this, but I signed them up anyway.

They both let their dissatisfaction with this arrangement be known.

But by the last day, when they had a lemonade and cookie celebration (although, sadly, no contra dancing, which they did when M went),

They excitedly showed me around the whole fort and house.

The cannon, of course, was a huge hit.

As were the little holes through which soldiers aimed their guns.

But they were just as excited about the wool carding.

And weaving.

And flax spinning.

The whole place was full of fascinating things and reminders of how much easier life is today.

Like fold-down beds.

And one-armed clocks.

Not to mention indicators of how far we've come gender role wise.

It was also a fascinating mix of very rustic and very regal.

I think, despite their protests (and the painful logistics of trying to work a 3-1/2 hour day camp into an eight-hour work day), it was worth it. If nothing else, just to see them dressed in breeches and linen shirts and waistcoats.