"O sacrament of summer days..." I always loved that line from Emily Dickinson and it fit yesterday perfectly.
Actually, I guess, summer is waning, but we had lovely sunshine and warmth yesterday at the lake. I arrived about 2:30 to find everybody there: the six kiddies, the couple from up north, their daughter-in-law, and the Wellsboro crew, here for the long weekend.
We swam, talked and laughed, nibbled pretzels and grapes, and had a wonderful, relaxed afternoon. Packed up about 5:00 and went back to the house for a cookout. The intention was to eat on the deck, as usual, but the mosquitoes were active, so we did so in the big dining area, which accommodates eight easily, and ten or more in a pinch. I said goodbye about 7:30, as it was already getting dark. The Wellsboro sextet will stay over up north.
Earlier, I impulsively went over to the cemetery. Anticipating Labor Day traffic on the Parkway, I hadn't thought I would, but did. Was going to call Betty on my way, but forgot my phone; called later and found she had been there earlier.

Just lazed around after I got home yesterday. Was informed by the library that the book I requested, The Panic Virus, was in, so I went over to get it. Started it and found it intriguing. It concerns the propensity of the public to BELIEVE--with a capital "B"--even in the face of overwhelming evidence that the belief is untrue. A thread running through is the belief--unshakable for some--that immunization vaccines causes autism.
This false idea originated with a British physician named Andrew Wakefield, and I actually have a pen and ink portrait of him. Why? I came across it four or five years ago, either here or in the U.K., in a newspaper supplement. I cut it out because I believe Wakefield bears a remarkable likeness to my father. Must dig it out and see.
Got a welcome invitation to meet at the lake. The upstate Pennsy contingent has come south and we'll meet there, swim a bit, then have dinner on the deck up north. Sister Betty was also invited, but declined as she doesn't feel very festive today. This is the seventh anniversary of the death of her son, Jay.

(Below)
My old Kentuck-- uh, New Jersey home far aw-a-a-y... We lived here for 41 years and raised our children here. Raised the roof, too, and enclosed the porch. It was just re-sided; looks good, I think. The trees seem to have doubled in size since we left it 8 years ago.

 

Here I am, once again posting in the middle of the day. Got home an hour or so from Trenton and my friend, Marilyn M. We went to a Trenton Thunder (baseball) game last night after she treated me to my favorite summer meal, a rare, rare, hamburger and an ice-cold beer. The stadium is right next to the river and was pretty well filled. Great fun with the various goings on, although the Thunder didn't make much noise: They lost two to nothing and barely got on base.
Marilyn, that dear girl and good friend, also treated me to breakfast before she had to go to work. I had oatmeal, grapefruit juice, and some superb coffee. After we parted, I drove back to the old Ewing neighborhood and took some pictures of the house we lived in for 41 years. It's been re-sided and, I think, looks good. Stopped at the cemetery and drove around Rider, then left the area. Went to the Columbus Farmers' Market, which is on the way home on Route 206, and picked up yams and leeks.
Just got a call from up north inviting me to the lake and dinner. The others from way up north will be there, and I accepted with pleasure. Sister Betty is also invited, and will probably go, then stay over at my house.

Got an early morning call from P. and N. They're planning a hike in northern Japan, just about where the earthquake and tsunami hit--I'm not crazy about that idea at all.
Did the three-mile and felt good for it. Zipped down to Santori's and got lots of veggies, ditto at Shop-Rite. Assembled a roasted vegetable mix, this time adding turnips and squash. Yummy. Went to the library and chatted with a few people on the phone. Other than that, nothing going on.
I'm going to spend the night with Marilyn after we attend a Trenton Thunder (minor league) game. Should be fun.
MEMORABLE QUOTES DEPT.: Here's one that opens John O'Hara's Appointment in Samarra:
There was a merchant in Baghdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, Master, just now when I was in the marketplace I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and when I turned I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture; now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there Death will not find me. The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down to the market-place and he saw me standing in the crowd and he came to me and said, Why did you make a threatening gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning? That was not a threatening gesture, I said, it was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Baghdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.