Okay, so I have to take back everything I said about that mother robin---here's what's happening in the nest these days---she's taking wonderful care of these guys!----for all you mothers and fathers out there---doesn't this photo just kindof epitomize PARENTING?????

well, here it is August, and we have a robin laying eggs in a nest outside our kitchen window! Pete noticed her there in the hanging plant a few days ago, and she now has two eggs....we've blocked off the window from inside (with a little hole for us to peek through!) so as not to disturb her too much, but we're wondering if maybe this bird is a little challenged in the nesting/parenting department---isn't it a little late in the season for this? and she's really not all that protected from the elements here.....
we'll see what happens!

Pedro and I went for a hike in the White Mountains last Thursday. He had a specific hike in mind, that he'd taken with a friend a couple of years ago, and he particularly wanted to share the view and ambient sounds he remembered from that early morning outing....
So, we got up at 4am, and hit the road at 4:30---got to the trailhead by 6:30, and planned to hike an hour or so each way, and be home before noon.
Unfortunately, when we looked at the trailmap, Pete couldn't quite remember which trail they'd been on---as fate would have it, we guessed wrong, and six hours later, finally staggered back into the parking lot!!! it truly was a lovely hike, and we had lots of fun, but we never did find the beautiful view Pete had remembered, and BOY, WERE WE TIRED!!!! here is a photo of the mountain stream we spent most of our time hiking along....it was amazingly clear, and stunningly cold----we definitely cooled our feet in it!

Here's a shot of my deck the way I love it the most....on warm summer nights, with my paper lanterns and candles giving just enough light---one night, I got up around 2 in the morning, and just couldn't get back to sleep---I got up to get a drink, and just happened to look out at my deck--the lights were so inviting, that I just tiptoed out and sat down. The temperature was absolutely perfect, with just the tiniest breeze---crickets and treefrogs making a little bit of noise, but absolutely no mosquitoes!--I sat, and breathed in the summer night air, and listened to the noises (and wondered if ANYONE was going to happen by and wonder what I was doing on my deck in my nightie at 2am?)---and thought about life, the universe, and everything....for an hour or so, until I was sleepy enough to go back to bed!---nice memory....

While Emma was home this summer she made some lovely little paintings--I wish i could have kept all of them!--she did leave a few behind, and I keep telling myself I have to get them framed....











I really liked this process she came up with---creating a textured surface w/ gesso, and then using watercolor to complete the landscape---cool, eh? but these got given away before I could get my hands on them! Thankfully, she took some pictures--which don't do them justice, but still....I love seeing this daughter, who's been creating artwork since she could pick up a pencil, continuing to develop---I just love her stuff!---if you want to see more, go to her facebook page (I don't think you have to be a member just to look) http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/ecillustration?ref=ts

Pete's been busy this summer doing stonework---this is the retaining wall he built to protect the back and corner of the house from flood erosion---he really enjoyed this project!--now every time he sees a wall built of similar concrete blocks, he says--look!--there's a wall like mine!
until now, I guess I didn't know how many concrete retaining walls were out there....

Horse Show Again

well, it's been several years since I've stood amongst the horses, trailers, kids, grownups, mud, hay,.......and watched Emma at a horse show! This afternoon Pete and I headed over to UNH to see her ride the horse she's leasing from a friend---first was the dressage (judging the control and communication a rider has with her horse)---Autumn (the horse) didn't distinguish herself here, but Emma did a good job getting her back on task when she misbehaved, and we found out later that this was the very first time Autumn has ever done this---so, it really wasn't that bad! (altho' it did land her in last place in her division.....)

a couple of hours later, Emma and Autumn did the jumping part of the competition---I guess Autumn was pretty awful during her warmups, but when she came out on the course, she did a great job---Emma did a great job, too---there were a couple of times that you could tell Autumn was considering stopping at a jump, but Emma kept her right on task!---

and when all was said and done, that part of things brought them up to second place, and they went home with the red ribbon!---you can tell Emma was really happy with the way things turned out