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Over the 4th of July weekend, Barbara and I traveled to Taylor ostentatiously to help Nathen work on his basement. On the way up, we stopped for a short hike, the purpose of which was to collect some fossil specimens for Mark. Most of the fossils we encountered were imbedded in rock too large to conveniently transport, so I satisfied myself by taking photos. Here is a sample of what we saw, and for the next short while, the entire "fossil record" may be seen by clicking this link (use your back button to return). Barbara was so pleased about her ability to complete this hike that she insisted I document it photographically.
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Barbara was experiencing "grandchild withdrawal" and spent most of the trip playing and taking photos. I have never understood her fascination for photos of drooling babies, but we sure have a lot of them. Can you imagine the grandmother of Microsoft's Chairman passing around baby photos and saying, "See how Billy used to slobber."?
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Nathen, remember that blue cap-like thing we found in the basement? If you examine this photo (above left) you will see that it belongs to a set, but I suspect that by now the piece is long vanished and that information is largely academic.
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Ethan is into swords and other "bad guy" things. Look at that face and tell me if you want to meet him in a dark alley somewhere...
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The basement project wasn't a far along as I envisioned it to be, so we weren't as much help as we might have been. Finishing a room as large as this is both time and resource intensive, and for someone just starting a new job, both are in short supply. While I was there, we "turned" the stairs, put up two stud walls for the laundry, and one for the pantry. My guess is that that basement will be a real "time consumer" before it functions as they desire it.
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Terre is very pleased with her new dishwasher, and I was beginning to be persuaded that they might be worth considering. Then I caught a glimpse of the diabolical contraption's inner workings, and I was less than impressed. I knew there had to be a reason I had resisted this "modern" appliance.
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Last week, Andrea, Aaron, Emily, and Athen stopped by for a short visit.
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Grandma played with the grand children, and plied them with cheese puffs until they passed out. From the intensity of the colored hands, feet, and face, it appears that it takes a lot to effect a cheese puffs passout.
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AJ tries to play the "tough guy" but I think he likes children. I suspect that they like him too...
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Athen enjoyed Grandma's swimming pool, even if he didn't like getting his head wet. It is probable about the right size for him. Too bad they didn't take it with them...
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Athen is a happy child--bit spoiled according to his mother who convincingly demonstrated his ability to express his displeasure when he doesn't get his way--but happy none-the-less. Again, Barbara demonstrated her predilection for photographing drooling babies.
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Does it look like this little guy knows how to get his way? Who could turn down those pleading eyes? If Andrea didn't have other commitments, she could probably sit on a street corner holding a sign and become a rich person.
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Andrea used a compound designed to make impressions of teeth to make a cast of Athen's hand. It worked quite well, even though the guest of honor was not totally compliant. I think we will get some and (after figuring out the parameters) take it to the next reunion. I think Andrea referred to it as an "alginate." At any rate, I think it has potential.
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