August 1
When dinosaurs, cows, and giraffes ruled the world
Ella enjoys taming these animals as did all my other grands before her.
First day of 4th grade for grandson Knox
Last year of elementary school
First day of sophomore year for grandson Elijah
Don’t know what they were discussing
My guess would be a video game
August 6
Getting ready for our Friday walk
Don’t even try to help her do anything
Her personal mantra is:
’She believed she could, so she did.'
Things we see on our walk:
Kitty cat paw prints in the sidewalk
Modern fossils
Things Ella collects on our walk:
Flowers, leaves, sticks
She finds it all worthy to bring with her along the way
August 7
Knox and a couple of his buddies at the county fair
This was the last fair at the current fairground location
which the Putnam County fair has called
home for the past 61 years out of its 95 year history.
They watched the demolition derby and then
ended up getting to ride only two rides because the lines were
so long on the last night.
Hanging out at the playground
August 11
Neil has worked hard the past several weeks replacing broken
limestone on the path that runs along the north side of the house.
Cutting stones to fit and then getting it all level is
tedious labor in the August heat and humidity.
But it’s going to look great when he’s finished.
August 12
We are not lacking in rainfall this month
August 13
Time for our Friday walk in the neighborhood
We usually stop at our house and she always wants to play upstairs
She discovered my little collection of bent willow chairs
which are perfect for a gathering of huggable friends
Speaking of huggable friends...
Big friend hugs at VBS
One of the teachers at the elementary school across the street
brings her goats to roam in a fenced in area at the school.
The kids love to watch them and sometimes share
an apple slice or two
August 17
Grandson Elijah celebrated his 15th birthday
He’s looking forward to getting his driver’s permit soon
August 18
Edge to edge, corner to corner
She colored every inch of this 12x12 sheet of paper
Found a 4-leaf clover and wasn’t even searching for one
Lucky guy
August 20
Autumn is coming
Friday walk
“Here, Gwanny, hold my weaf."
They were topped long ago and also starting to decay from the inside out
Last month, one of the larger branches fell, blocking the whole street
They were beautiful in the fall with their orange and yellow leaves
Hated to see them go
August 21
August 22
We never go to Starbucks
But when we do….
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappacino is good
and apparently is now on their permanent menu in case you’re interested
Granddaughter Shelby is a junior in college this year
majoring in biology with emphasis on marine biology
She spent her first two years of college here in town but never really
got to enjoy the college experience of a large campus, and then
the virus forced her into isolation, taking her classes online which was zero fun.
Now, for the first time ever, she’s living far from home (well, a couple of hours drive away)
navigating this new chapter in her life, as she dives into her major studies.
I know she’ll do well, and though we miss her being here, she’s only a Face Time call away.
(Good grief, I got all teary-eyed just typing this)
Love you, Shelby!
With a church van full of fellow workers, Neil and I traveled to the non-profit
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort in Nashville
to help pack boxes filled with food and other necessary supplies
that will be taken to recent flood victims in west Tennessee, North Carolina,
and other places that need assistance in their recovery.
The assembly line moves along at a rapid pace for two hours non-stop,
but with probably 150-200 helping hands, it’s amazing how quickly
the time passes while packing 1500 boxes.
Disaster Relief also helps rebuild homes and replace furniture and appliances
with brand new items. It’s a cause that’s certainly worthy of your monetary donations.
August 27
Friday fun at the playground
She was (happy) screaming at the top of her lungs
August 28
Ella is back in swim lessons every day at the local YMCA
although she’s not learning to swim at this point.
She’s being instructed in the life-saving skill of flipping
herself over in the water from facedown to floating
on her back. She’s doing quite well and is starting to move past
the panic I’m sure she’s felt during this, but her mom says
Ella didn’t cry yesterday or today.
So…progress. Yay, Ella!
Minding my own business, shopping at Walmart, when this bag of candy corn
flings itself right off the shelf and into my shopping cart.
True story.
Kidding. I know there are people who have already decked their halls
with all things autumn, but I like to live in the season we happen to be in now.
Summer will be gone soon enough. I’m going to enjoy shorts and flip flops while I can.
However….
I won’t stop a bag of candy corn from flinging itself into my shopping cart at Walmart.
“...August: the summer's last stand.”
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