Trees and Donuts

July 29
Sunday

Bill and Dorothy went to mass leaving Duke and I at the house. Usually I go to church with Jeff and Sheri when I am in town on Sundays. Jeff is readying himself for a baseball trip (he's a host) leaving Monday for Ohio and the east coast. This Sunday I decided to take Duke to a park we hadn't visited.

The park adjoins the middle school in Genoa City. There is an old wood with large trees, a good deal of which has been cleaned of underbrush. The result is an open, but shaded area that is great in the heat.

It was great for mosquitoes and gnats, too. They drove us out after a few minutes. We headed back to Bill's.

Not long after we returned Bill and Dorothy came back. Bill made breakfast: poached eggs, Canadian bacon, toast and Dorothy's homemade strawberry jam. Delicious.

As I sat on the deck with Dorothy while Bill set a live trap for chipmunks, I noticed for the first time there are varicose veins beginning to show in my legs. More confirmation I am getting older. I didn't need it.


















After buying mosquito repellent and getting gas Duke and I again went to the park. I dusted both Duke and myself--although I later discovered I had forgotten my forearms, much to the mosquito's joy and my regret. We stayed for a much longer time and explored more of the park. Prior to its annexation as a park this woods was the site of many a camp out, usually involving beer, in my high school days. It looks better now. I checked out tree trunks.


Standing tall, leaning
having weathered life's many storms--
Oak tree's trunk

At three I went to Kathy's to visit; Duke stayed with Dorothy. Kathy had a houseful; 15 or so relatives. I knew most of them from my youth and though I couldn't remember all their names I had a great time.

I had just missed two of Kathy and Art's sons, Adam and Cameron, but Brandon was there. He works in Florida at a park. He watches over gators and turtles, leads bird watchers, referees disputes among the campers, etc. I hadn't seen him for several years and was duly impressed.

I stayed a bit to talk with Kathy. Before I left, she gave me two cake donuts purchased at the Congregational Church sale. Just today I had learned from Bill that the church uses my grandmother's donut recipe! Neither of us were aware there was a sale today. What a treat it will be to enjoy grandma's baking once again after 44 years!

I went to Jeff's, situated across the street on an angle. Sheri was out getting sandwiches. Jeff called and asked her to bring home an Italian beef for me. She got out a veggie tray and dip. It was good.

Jeff is my oldest friend. We met in 1961 when his mother, Catherine, brought him to my grandmother's house to play catch with me. I had just come from Cincinnati after dad's death. He became my good friend. Last year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of that meeting by returning to grandma's old house for a game of catch. It was good to see him again. Our throws didn't have the same zip as in '61 but we had just as much fun.