<The meaning of life>

Sunday, July 17, 2005

American summer

This summer the children are old enough to partake in the quintessential American summer behavior. We have gone swimming almost every afternoon since school ended.

First we got a temporary membership at the local pool. Then traded that in for a summer family membership, and signed up for lessons and "swim team". Who knew about "swim team"? It a semi-organized set of practice and lessons for the kids. They swim each morning, and compete once each week. Everybody talked about it in a form of shorthand, "we're going to swim team in June". What did that mean. Oh: after school lets out they would send the kids to the pool most mornings or afternoons. They get formal training in swimming. It tries to straighten out their strokes, and I guess build up some endurance. I asked other parents and they too said it was a bit of a surprise to stumble onto this program.

I cannot swim properly. The water gets into everything, and a mild case of athsma sometimes leaves me breathing hard. That and the inefficient thrashing I produce, limit me to about 6 pool lengths. Then it is time to supervise the non-swimmer.

We skip swimming only for other activities, or rain and thunderstorms. We've had about 10 days straight of thunderstorms, and 90+ F degree (33 C) days. With near 100% humidity to add a little discomfort to the soup.

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I got stung on the forehead a couple of weeks ago, while doing the back stroke. Hmmm. Then today a buzzing noise on the neck and a sting on the neck. Other people looked around and found a large wasp nest in a tree overlooking the pool. "We've wondered where they were located" said the pool manager.

Out come the magic spray cans this evening, to try and finish off the soccer ball sized nest. Good, too close to people.

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This phase of the summer is nearing an end. Our eldest is off to the grandparents tomorrow. The middle one is still in school and swim team, and the youngest is still taking swimming lessons. We'll follow in a few weeks.

We are now into finishing swimming lessons, and summer school, and then start to travel to see the relatives across the continent.

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I put together a TV cabinet and wired up a new TV for a family friend yesterday. That takes a long time. Still have to have her get a component TV cable to complete the setup with the DVD player.

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My oldest just finished reading Harry Pottter 6. It took about 30 hours. We were going to go to the book release on Friday, but he had been up all the previous night during a camping sleep over, and he went to bed before the release, and slept for about 15 hours straight. The other one was out by 11 PM on her own. Oh, well, we went to get the 5th book a couple of years ago on release night, so we've done this already.

posted by Nick 6:31:00 PM

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Dancing to the Beach Boys -- Good Vibrations

posted by Nick 2:21:00 AM

A cuddly fellow

posted by Nick 2:19:00 AM

The capital show as the day fades away

posted by Nick 2:18:00 AM

Mrs. - having caught up with the show

posted by Nick 2:18:00 AM

The photographer photographed

posted by Nick 2:17:00 AM

Looking back up at the capital

posted by Nick 2:17:00 AM

Beach Boys sound check at A Capital Fourth of July 2005

posted by Nick 2:16:00 AM

Peter (far left)awaits his cue at the competition

posted by Nick 2:16:00 AM

Laura is visiting

posted by Nick 2:15:00 AM

Anatomy is not my forte...

posted by Nick 2:15:00 AM

a trail of funny children

posted by Nick 2:14:00 AM

Friday, July 08, 2005

Ballad of Myrtle the Turtle

Ballad
Myrtle the Turtle

Myrtle the Turtle wanted to play
But she always wanted the rules her way
She never let her friends have any real fun
Because when she made up her mind, the day was done.

Will Myrtle, Bear and Hedgehog learn to play?
To find out we'll have to wait until another day.

One day her friend Bear said, "enough is enough"
He came up to her and was very gruff
"If you want to be friends, you'll have to play fair
And let all of us have our fair share".

Will Myrtle, Bear and Hedgehog learn to play?
To find out we'll have to wait until another day.

Myrtle was angry, as mad as could be
If you were there, you would want to flee
She flung up her fists in such a rage
It could have knocked the letters right off the page.

Will Myrtle, Bear and Hedgehog learn to play?
To find out we'll have to wait until another day.

Hedgehog said, "Whoa," and rolled up in a ball
"This is a mess, it won't do at all
Turtle, come here, you need to play fair,
Or I'll tell the teacher to put you in a chair".

Will Myrtle, Bear and Hedgehog learn to play?
To find out we'll have to wait until another day.

Turtle sat down and thought for a while
And then she got up and started to smile
She looked at them and said, "you're right"
"Lets go play while it's still light".

Peter
Copyright ~2001

posted by Nick 2:20:00 PM

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Free Space Field Random Thoughts

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Friday, July 08, 2005