Summer Storytelling

Our group convened this weekend in Wareham, Mass. overlooking Onset Bay to celebrate our 20th year together.

Over the years we've had

one story each x 40 meetings (2 meetings a year) = 40 stories per person.

40 stories x 10 people in the group = 400 stories.

WOW!

As always, there's a theme for each meeting.  This was "Summertime Elegance."

Toby and Katie in their understated, sophisticated (especially Toby's slippers) black. 

Theo being mauve and rust.

And the dancing begins.

As always, food is sumptuous and delicious.

A crowd around the blueberry-cognac pie.

Toby telling his story the modern way--using his computer and being recorded for posterity.

Susan and her "Ode to Summer."

Thinking, talking about being together for 20 years.  Loving it all.

Bear!

Yesterday afternoon I heard a chomping noise outside the North sleeping porch.  Looking out, I saw this.

A young bear happily eating apples near the clothes line,

totally unfazed by dog or human presence (Tulip was quite unaware).

Yesterday he came back to a much different reception.  Tulip, who seemed on her last legs only a few days ago, gave a fast and furious chase.  The bear raced away in a flash.

Boys' Play

 

 

 Simon swinging,

 

tasting blueberries, 

 

considering.

 

Max computing,

 

 

piloting the plane,

 

shouting to the sky!

Funny Four-Year Old Faces 

Surprised

Angry

Sleepy

Sassy

Silly

Sad

Frustrated

Smiley

A Quiet Morning

on the lake yesterday

with Toby plotting a swimming course through the lily pads,

a moose leisurely grazing at the north end,

and Tulip lounging on the bank near our dock.

Bethels

Rachel and Simon flew back to Panama a few days after Sam and clan left.

David, Gwen Wren and David's dad John stayed on through the weekend.

This gave Gwen the opportunity to dress up

in many outfits.

 

And to dress up willing others!

 

 And gave me the chance to have almost another week of our early morning breakfasts together on the dining room porch--which I loved!

Then it was time for the 3 Bethels to climb into John's van, whisk away to Boston, and then David and Gwen return to Panama.

We miss you, Tulip misses you...thank you for coming.  We love you!

More Birthdays

 

Saturday before last we celebrated several more birthdays:

 

Gwen's 4th, which actually was in June. Her choice: this colorful (and tough) butterfly pinata. 

 

 

Theo's early 70th (we tend to celebrate these b'days early and late) which I haven't got any photos of, but which was fabulous!

 

 

 

And Max's real 3rd b'day on Sunday morning.  We squeezed it in at breakfast as Sam and family left for Burbank at noontime.

 

 

The bike helmet made it back to Burbank

 

 

 

 

but not the talking parrot which repeated everything you said--twice.  Delightful!  

But don't worry guys, it's in the mail to you as I write.  

 

The house is so quiet now.  We're missing you and we so loved having you all here!