The Fairy GodKnitter

Yes!

Griffin's boat won their race at the Fontana All -High Regatta this morning. 

He was in a Novice 8 boat, here they are heading out (he is 3rd from the right):

And about an hour later (after waiting out 5 other races) they crossed the finish in victory:

And another hot hour later (90+ and HUMID) the medals:

I spent the morning with Griffin's girlfriend and then we met up with Gary (he was working til noon) for lunch.  It was a nice way to end the season.

In other news, yesterday we went to Elmira to see Connor in Pippin.  It/he was great, but our time with him was brief.  I'll return, to pick him up for the summer, on Wednesday.

My peonies are loving the warm weather, this one finally bloomed (I think I planted it two years ago and only had leaves for my effort):

But this one, on EC's campus, may be the best I've ever seen:

As promised, Dead Tulips:

I know that I'm a weirdo, but I like them more as they are fading away. 

And I like my camera more when I take it outside.

Anyway, the weekend of busy-busy is looming. 

I have to:

1) Tidy and Phoebe proof most of the house, plus scrub 2 showers.

2) Cut back the dead tulip leaves and lightly rake the mulch in the backyard.

3) Have lunch with one of my oldest friends.

4) Shop for a new front door**.

5) Hem and fix beads on that Prom dress.  Then press it at least twice.

6) Roadtrip to Elmira for Pippin.  Hug that boy and try to carry home the bulk of his dorm room stuff so Wednesday won't be too bad.

7) Regatta Surprise!*

 

* Griffin wiped out on his skateboard last Thursday and removed a swatch of skin from his palm.  It's healed but he skipped crew all week because of it.  At 10PM last night, I get an email about Monday's Regatta, which Griffin knew nothing about.

Gary is working Monday, I am on Phoebe duty since Mom and my sister will be off looking for dead relatives*** and it will be 85degrees and humid.  I still feel like crap from the meds and I still hate people.  I'm hoping that they let dogs on the shuttle bus or I can find a handbag large enough for an 18 pound beagle. 

** My sister will make this very difficult.  She does not make decisions without my threatening a hissy fit. 

*** If you think we might be related, just let me know.  My sister is making the largest family tree I've ever seen and has gone far enough to map out all of Gary's family - even three generations back in Ireland and to prove that Griffin's girlfriend is not a relative, even though both of their maternal grandfathers come from adjoining, tiny, mining towns in Pennsylvania.

Not missing

just busy-ish and tired-ish.

I did not mean to be away from the blog for so long, but my adjustment to full on Summer* has been exhausting and I really don't know where the time went.

Anyway, updates:

1) Griffin had a good time at the New York State Crew Finals, but his boat did not make it through their first race.  There is a vague story about the Nardin girls borrowing a boat and a broken rudder, but we barely had time to talk because he was away again this past weekend.  Somehow, it became the 3rd weekend in May and that is always Scouts and Zoar Valley.  For me it's always a cleaning marathon.

He is almost done with school and his trip to Germany is just over 6 weeks from now, it's crazy how fast that one is approaching.

2) Connor is almost done too.  He finishes up on the 30th, but we are going to see him in Pippin this Sunday.  He has been enjoying his Term III class on American Cuisine and Food Culture.  Last week they took a field trip to Ithaca, New York and had lunch at Moosewood Restaurant.  Lucky boy!

3) My sister will be here this weekend.  I may have a few Phoebe centered days next week.

4) Our brother is fraying my last nerve.  That is all I am going to say about him.

5) My Aunt is improving, but very slowly.  Her attitude is a marvel, she may be the only relative I have who does not complain.

6) I'm still working out how I am going to blog about my MIL's Home Ec book.  I need to find more photos and get my dates in order, but I think I have a plan.

7) If you are still reading, one last thing:

The first of the Peony blossoms - there are still a few more to go.

Next time, dead tulips - trust me, they are worth checking back for.

*86 yesterday!