Another Birthday...Eric turns one!

My nephew Jamie and his wife Rachell had a first birthday party for their baby Eric. Sadly ( especially for rachell;) it rained but it was still fun and so nice to see everyone.

Here is Phyllis and Burt....The last time I saw Phyllis was about a month ago or so and before that it had been many years. We were walking along a river in another state at night and suddenly I felt a sharp blow on my left shoulder. The woman almost knocked me down. As I staggered to steady myself...(okay fine..a slight exaggeration) I found myself uncharacteristically yelling..."I don't know you!" Still don't know why I chose those words. I really thought she was some confrontational lunatic. It turns out it was simply Phyllis!
Uncle Ed, Burt and my brother Gerry...

Rachell and Eric, the birthday boy, who looks less than thrilled about the whole event. It turns out wrapping paper tastes really good!

Phyllis and my sister Joan hug...Emily is in the background...and beside her is Melissa...she's really difficult to see because of her size;) Way in the back is Michelle with baby Paul.

Leigh with her boyfriend, Michael.

My brother Rick, the grampa of the birthday boy, and his children, Jamie and Leigh.

Beautiful Fall Day

Big News!!

I don't mean to brag...however, I just can't help it. My very talented daughter Katelyn (Katelyn Alain) had some of her works published in the October 10th on line version and hard copy of the Wall Street Journal!! We couldn't be happier or more proud of her!
Her link is at the top of this page. CONGRATULATIONS KATE!!!

New Law Proposal

I contend that there should be law passed that FOREVER BANS furniture moguls AND their horrible offspring from ever again subjecting us to their own television advertisements. These advertisements are an unfair visual and auditory assault and should be stopped.

Ollie Goes To Boston

We took the Ollinator on an outing to the big city. He got to ride elevators,picnic on the common, and stroll through the public garden. He had to be held back from a swim and bird chase in the duck pond. There were plenty of perfectly good ducks and swans just sitting there, too. We then took a walk down Charles Street and went into the pet store where he was welcomed by the two dogs in there. My favorite part was watching him walk by the front door of the Ritz Carlton with his head up high casually eyeing the doormen and checking out the limos. He was so well behaved that we could actually pass him off as a refined city dog.

Waterfire In Providence Rhode Island

Thanks to my brother Gerry(and Judy:)We went to Waterfire in Providence last night. It was superbly beautiful and moving. There are an enormous series of fires along the river that are continuously stoked by black draped folks in black covered boats. You can feel the heat of these fires on your body and hear the crackle. All the while there is music playing that echoes through the river park. The whole experience was ethereal.
www.waterfire.org

My Darling Daughter Laura And Her Tough Life In France

Laura, although she would claim otherwise, seems graced with a knack for living in the most beautiful of places and having some utterly fantastic experiences. This after five years in Tahiti? (for instance..swam with a whale and her calf??) Some of us are forced to live vicariously through others!!! Laura is at her friend's country house. Adele and Leela are the girls on the right.

Interesting article I found in the paper...

Bush Has One Of Those Days Where He Feels Like 68 Percent Of People Hate Him
May 2, 2007 | Issue 43•18



WASHINGTON, DC—In an East Room press conference Tuesday, President Bush told reporters that he had the "sneaking feeling" that 68 percent of the U.S. population hated his guts that day.

"Maybe it's just me, but when I woke up this morning, it really seemed like 60 percent of men and 77 percent of women didn't want to have anything to do with me," Bush said. "I'm even getting the feeling that nearly two out of every three people who identify themselves as devout Christians—people who usually love me—are giving me the cold shoulder lately."

Though Bush admitted he found it "disquieting" that more than two-thirds of the country thinks he is not the right man to lead the nation, he assured the public that he "won't let it affect the way [he does his] job in any way."


More News Briefs

Just so darned cute!

Marissa's 15th Birthday!

Marissa chose her favorite restaurant, Gibbet Hill, to celebrate her birthday. She loves their filet mignon. Below is the view from the window of the private little room they gave us. You can watch the Black Angus cows wandering on the hillside. They claim that these are not the source of their steaks...hmm.

Ryan, Melissa, and her little sister, Robyn joined us for dinner and then back to our house for cake. (The cake that Burt baked and frosted after Marissa went to sleep on her birthday eve.) You have to agree that is sweet!

Stone Arch Bridge

We went on a hike through conservation land today and came across a very cool 1872 granite bridge right here in our very own little town. It's made entirely without mortar, and supports an old abandoned railroad bed. Ollie found that the disgusting brown water that runs underneath it makes for fantastic swimming!

Our Vacation In Maine 2007

We found the perfect cottage, in the perfect setting , on a perfect lake, and had the most perfect weather. Did I mention it was perfect? A solid week of perfection. Ahhh.




We watched the meteors at night from our dock. Ollie swam for miles and couldn't take the exciting nightlife.

Mosquitoes came out for a short time at dusk. Burt gets sprayed for protection. For some reason ,Marissa found this process hilarious.;)

Ollie won every time in the race for the frisbee. Burt is fast, but Ollie is faster. It was a challenge that Burt took verrry seriously. Actually, Ollie did too.

Double click on the photo below to see Ollie trying to keep up with the kayaks. He worked so hard and didn't know his limits..hence ..the life jacket.

We listened to Loons all day and into the night. We even saw a mother giving a fish to her baby on two occasions.

Marissa finishing Harry Potter.

LOVE~

Despite their species differences.. Ollie and Theo are loving brothers. A lesson can be learned by all. The lesson is; If the cat insists on grooming you, cooperate or he'll bite you really hard on your muzzle.