Hazy Days

 You know that old song about lazy, hazy days of Summer?  Well, I can't say anything about the lazy part as I've been working more than I really want too but the hazy part is easy.  The haze has descended from our friends up in Canada.  I believe from Ontario.  The fires are burning and many of the states up here are getting the effects of the smoke.  When Jordan was living in California there was always fires and haze but he said it smelled like a campfire.  Not here!  It smells like burning plastic!  I was hoping for Canadian bacon smell or even Maple syrup but  it's not to be.  I feel bad for those in Canada suffering from the fires and not sure how it happened but I'm  hoping for some clearing as rain is coming this weekend.  I wanted to get one last post in before June has flown the coop.  Once July hits the Summer seems to fly by.  So  have a good weekend everyone.  I'm working tomorrow but not at all next week so I can get my painting projects going.  Bye Bye June!  Here's a few hazy pics for you:

This is how the sky has looked all week.  No rain this day just hazy smoke.

Doesn't look quite as bad when I got into my driveway. Maybe my pine trees have sucked it all in!

We have had rain on and off all week but I was able to squeeze in a walk with Annabelle the other  night and scored a quick pic of a rainbow.

No pot of gold at the Pines but the rainbow made me smile and that's just as good! 

Night all!

Whirlwind To Tornado

 My sister and her family were planning a trip that would have her daughter's family going to Hershey, PA and dropping Midge here with us for a visit.  It all depended on her getting into a dialysis unit here.  At first it was a no go because no unit had any openings.  Just when we were thinking it wasn't going to happen she got a call that there was an opening in Mansfield. That's about a 20 minute drive from us.  So it was all good and a go!  We had just gotten back from our whirlwind trip to Portland on Monday of last week and they were coming on Wednesday.  A text to let work know I wouldn't be available and then the "getting ready" mode for guests.  So the shopping, getting guest rooms ready, and a quick spruce up of the house was in motion.  We welcomed them all on Wednesday.  Thursday morning I had Midge in dialysis and her family headed off for Hershey.  Midge and I had a lovely visit that included some shopping, touring the new places downtown, resting, talking, laughing and just enjoying being together.  Then the storms came rolling in.  It was an unexpected Summer thunderstorm that brought hail and yes, a tornado just north of us.  We were lucky that our power stayed on and no damage was had here.  The next day I was sitting on our deck under the canvas canopy of our gazebo when I noticed it was riddled with holes! The hail had done the dirty deed! Thankfully I happen to have a spare canvas top so all is good!  The weather was a little chilly last week and a bit rainy.  Saturday bloomed sunny and nice though and so was Father's Day on Sunday.  Belated Happy Father's Day to everyone!  Our kids came for a cookout in the afternoon to celebrate with Jack and to see Midge.  Her kids came back here late on Sunday after their trip and Monday morning had everyone gone in a flash.  Whew...whirlwind to tornado to a super quiet house.  This week I'll be working Tuesday through Friday. I haven't done that many days in a row in a while so wish me luck. I said to my family this was the last time I'd do that and they just said " Oh sure...we'll see"...they know me too well! But I don't want to spend all Summer working and tomorrow is the first day of Summer so I hope everyone has plans for a fun vacation or just taking time to enjoy this season.  Here's a few pics of our week:

Midge brought her dog, Hope, with her and Hope just loves Jack!  Thankfully she's a really good dog and her and Annabelle get along fine.

Phil having a lively discussion with Jack.  He's such a fun guy to talk too...always makes us laugh!

Jackie and Jack along with my Granddaughter Summer, just enjoying Father's Day.

Summer and her Dad!  Love these two!

Our Grandkiddos,  Summer, Cameron, and Anthony.  We were really happy they could all be here on Sunday too.

I'm so glad Midge could be here to spend time with family and have a short get-a-way.  Usually I take more photos of things but I was busy running around and also I didn't get any pics of  Midge's kids when they were here.  I'm a slacker!  Hopefully we'll be getting together again soon and I'll do better with pics.  For now I'm back in the working mode that includes actual work at the hospital but also working in my garden of "weeding"!  It's a never ending battle but it's very satisfying to see the results.

My roses seem to be doing well and putting on a lovely show!  So welcome Summer! Here's hoping for decent weather that's not too hot or humid and hopefully no more whirlwinds and tornados! 

Whirlwind

 The last few weeks have been a busy time for us here at the Pines.  We had decided to go to Portland, Oregon to see our Grandson, Taylor, graduate from high school.  We hadn't been there in 5 years! We had planned to go to his sister's high school graduation in 2020 but we all know what happened there! No graduation for that class. Just a drive by.  Then we ran into all of Jack's surgeries and mine too. Whew.  This year we decided we were going to make the trip for Taylor.  I'm so glad we did!  Getting ready for a trip sometimes is stressful all in it's self.  But thankfully Jordan is back here and he took care of Annabelle and the house.  Just packing and making arrangements and off we went.  We hadn't flown in 5 years either and it's still as nutty as always.  However, folks have also put off traveling until this year so it was crowed also. But we had no issues with flying or anything and we had a really fun time.  I was so glad to see our kids. We hadn't seen Craig, Amy, Katie, Taylor, and Sophie in 2 years and that's long time in a kiddos life.  They grown, change, mature, and become mini adults!  These kids are so cool and well behaved and just a delight to be around.  Good parenting helps!  So here's a few pics...or maybe a lot of pics...of our whirlwind trip to Portland:

Of course we need the iconic out the plane window pic! Hello Yellowstone!

They had a lot work done on the house.  Last time we were here it was  blue! I like the new color!

Out to lunch at a cute little place that we've been to before and just love...especially their delish pastries!

Craig agrees! He's such a funny guy!

They had a lot of work done on the inside of the house too.  Jack found his happy place there!

But here's the real reason for the trip.  To celebrate Mountainside High School graduation.

So proud of you Taylor! Here's his whole family...Katie, Mom Amy, Taylor, Craig, and sister Sophie.

He'll be off to BYU Idaho in the fall where he'll join sister Katie as she does her final year there.

Party time on Saturday.  He chose to celebrate with his 3 best friends he's had all through school.  Craig and Amy hosted and every family chipped in with the food.  Great idea as folks only had to go to one place to see all the guys!  It was super fun and well attended.

One of the boy's mom made this beauty! I would say she's very talented!  Each boy told them what they wanted at the party.

Taylor wanted chocolate covered strawberries so I made him some that morning.  There were tons of other food also with favorites from the other grads.  A video was made of all the boys from littles on up to present day.  It was great to see all of them and how they grew and changed over the years.  Time does go by so fast. I can't believe Taylor is now getting ready to go to college.  I guess you could say it was a whirlwind of time!  Just like it was when Craig was little and now he's a grown up super Dad! I'm so proud of him and Amy for the wonderful family they have raised.   I'm glad we made the trip and were able to help with things as well as celebrate.  Congrats Taylor! We love  you!