Summer of '96
Summer is almost at an end and fall is fast approaching. In places leaves are beginning to take on a variety of colors. The corn is turning brown and will soon be harvested. Apples are being gathered. It is already getting late for Duchess and other early apples. Goldenrod is blooming profusely everywhere, causing a lot of us to sneeze and deal with itchy eyes. But where has summer gone?
It has been a strange summer, being cold much of the time, with a few hot days here and there. We've had a lot of rain at the beginning of the summer, but not much recently. In fact it is getting dry, and the lawns are turning brown. Flowers are beginning to look scraggly, as they have seen their best days. But where has summer gone?
Perhaps it seems like we never had summer because I have been incredibly busy. On June 9, the Monday after school was out, my grandson, Scott, who lives in Ft. Wayne, Ind., came to spend some time with me. He left Wausau again with his folks on August 16, so he was here for 9 weeks. With both of his parents working, and living in the country, he had no place to stay during the day, which would have meant a long boring summer for him. Here he had a friend, Andy, next door, with whom he could play.
We will always remember the summer of '96. Together, we went bowling several times, took a picnic up to Rib Mt. on the 4th of July, where we climbed the tower and the rocks, spent time in Marathon Park on the playgrounds, and spent much time at the library. We worked (and played) on the computer, watched 35 episodes of "Little House", and never missed "Home Improvement", no matter what. Of course no summer would be complete without eating at McDonald's many times. We also took in some garage sales, where we bought some games that we never plalyed. But the Monopoly and Legos that were here got a real workout. Some other highlights were the Fair, with its many harrowing rides, Vacation Bible School, the Log Jam, and the Harlem Globe Trotters. It was especially fun to go up North to the cottage, where Scott could DRIVE the pontoon boat and fish to his heart's content. We also bought (and let die), six goldfish in an effort to acquire some pets for him. We finally gave up on that. Oh yes, and we picked strawberries too.
Besides all the things I did with Scott, I had a few things to deal with myself. I went to two funerals of relatives, went to a wedding in Milwaukee of Karla, a grand-daughter of Ruth's, celebrated a 40th wedding anniversary of Phyllis and Myron in Rhinelandeer, and made a hurried trip to St. Louis to visit a sister. Esther, who had a massive stroke. This is now 6 or more weeks later, and she is going home soon. She has made great strides in her recovery, but still has a long way to go. We are very thankful that she is able to go home again.
One day it rained really hard, and my roof leaked. It had leaked before and I was able to get it fixed. But this time the roofer said that I needed a new roof. It isn't on yet, but will be put on this fall yet. Just what I needed to hear after a busy summer!
So where has the summer gone? It slipped by without me realizing what was happening. I'm alone again, back to tutoring my 4th grader, and crocheting when I have time. I'm back at Writing Class again and plan to go Line Dancing again. I go bowling every week. Besides that, I work on my computer and keep up my house. So I am still busy, and thankful that I CAN be.