The weather remains warm. And so Arianna does her homework in the sun room.
Outside . . . progress is being made in the second of three new beds -- the west back entrance bed (for lack of a catchy name). Here, looking south west. Barely visible in the foreground is one of six evergreen seedlings donated last Christmas by Uncle Lester.
Looking north, as we walk up the side yard into the back yard. On the south (right) Blue Fortune, which was not as prolific in its blooms this year because of drought conditions. The berm is just beginning to take shape here. Currents will be planted on the berm next Spring. I'm still undecided as to whether I should plants another mass of Blue Fortune on the north (left) or something else.
At the west edge of the new bed . . . Illini Blackberries! Three plants. Despite the drought they've taken root and have even produced some immature fruit.
These berries are the real deal . . . not hybrids devoid of thorns. Although I know future harvests will be a challenge, thorns will deter the deer. At least, that's my hope.
Deer continually returned for Cupplant this year. Don't know why this year in particular they started to browse this plant. In the past they ignored it entirely. Sometime earlier this month they stopped bothering this lone specimen in the bed of Little Blue Stem and it flowered.
The Sweet Autumn Clematis is plump with buds. I plants this two years ago and it has yet to bloom. I'm guessing a week, two at most until it blooms.
Cousins Ruth and Helmut are always mindful of Arianna's birthday . . .
Today was hot, dry, sunny and Arianna's 12th birthday.
Incomprehensible. 12 years old.
As I reflect on Arianna's birthdays, it is clear to me that some years have been more exciting than others. It might have had to do the gifts, or whether we threw a birthday party.
Arianna's second was memorable because that was the year '500 year' rains filled the window wells and flooded the basement.
This year was hard to gauge. This year was different because Arianna had to attend school today. But, on the upside it afforded her the opportunity to serve a treat to her class.
Greeting cards are invariably opened first . . .
Grandpa shared the wealth . . . literally . . .
One of a few tangible gifts . . .
Is this the baby I walked throughout the house on Moats?
A happy girl . . .
This is a first: Arianna starts school this year prior to her birthday. Typically the events coincide, but to date she's enjoyed her birthday at home.
7th grade.
It's hard to digest.
It's cliche . . . I know. But it was just yesterday that she started at St. Catherine.
Off she goes . . . .
Since her first full day of school is tomorrow and it's the middle of the week, we thought a lunch date today would be fun. So when Arianna's day ended today, I knocked off work and met the family at a Chinese restaurant in Crystal Lake that Uncle Lester and Aunt Myra highly recommended.
Arianna, Aunt Myra, and Uncle Lester . . .
Arianna and Daddy . . .
Arianna and Grandpa . . .
Arianna, Sharon, and Grandpa . . .
School ends . . . school begins . . . .
Sharon just turned in her grades for the Summer semester, and next week Arianna begins 7th grade. Although Arianna enjoyed her Summer immensely -- thanks to our purchase of a Summer pass at the neighborhood pool -- we did nothing of note.
The success of last year's Undells trip inspired Sharon to plan a day trip to Spring Hill, WI -- home of Taliesin and The American Players Theatre.
Since the play we had tickets for would be performed "under the stars", waking to rain did not bode especially well. But, an Epoch Times associate of Sharon's, who lives in the vicinity and with whom she talked on the telephone, assured us they day would be pleasant and sunny. As if on schedule the clouds parted not long after we crossed the Illinois / Wisconsin border.
We arrived in Spring Hill with more than enough time before the 7:30 PM curtain. Although we hadn't planned to tour Taliesin on this trip, given Arianna's interest in Frank Lloyd Wright and her successful History Day project about him last year, we had to at least locate the house.
The original entrance to the property is still easily identifiable. I pulled into the "driveway" and Arianna overcame her shyness for a picture -- despite a motorcyclist, who was taking his rest.
The current driveway is just off a service road around the corner. Presumably this is where the tour bus drops its passengers. Although it was tempting to drive up to the house, we stayed on the private service road.
The view from Mr. Wright's living room . . .
Last year at the Undells Arianna and Sharon enjoyed the Wisconsin River. And today was no different.
With the Taliesin Visitor Center in the background, Arianna measures the size of a "foot print" in the sand. (Aliens?)
Our side trip done, we headed up the road to the theater, unloaded the cooler form the back of the car, and found a picnic table. We discovered there are a lot of variety in dining options at APT. A number of picnic areas are available, each with its own brand of entertainment. We sat in an area where a guitarists and a banjo player strummed bluegrass tunes. But, on our way up the hill to the Theater on the Hill we walked through another picnic area, where recorder players were playing Renaissance music.
As we ate, more theater goers arrived. Some folks opted to purchase "box lunches", others picnicked with wine and stemware -- very fancy. And of course grills were available too. Although I didn't see anybody using one.
The Admirable Crichton was playing at the Theater on the Hill. And it was a climb. Not a difficult climb for us, but sufficiently steep and distant as to make a shuttle a viable option for the retirees, who predominated the audience.
Sharon and Arianna share a bench for a moment's rest as we climb the hill. Sharon's bag contains a blanket (!) and rain ponchos -- she was told it can get chilly after the sun sets and that the actors seldom let rain interrupt their performance.
The view from the top of the hill is lovely. It is incredible to consider that this place has been built in such a rural place.
Since our trip was not planned long in advance our tickets were not as close to the stage as Sharon would have liked. She wondered aloud if all the seats would be filled. And playfully threatened to seek out an empty seat.
But, the theater filled quite nicely.
The performance was enjoyable. And not a drop of rain. The drive back to Sleepy Hollow was quiet. Arianna drowsed in the backseat and once on the main road -- country roads are dark -- Sharon checked out too.
Nice trip.
You know your child is maturing when she says her bedroom is "too baby-ish". For years -- literally -- I've wanted to move Arianna's bed off the outside wall. Nothing doing.
Now, suddenly, Arianna and Sharon are storing away some of the old toys and rearranging the bedroom furniture.
Original (messy) setup . . .
Updated setup . . .
Final setup . . .
