King Tut photos from Gail

NY's King Tut exhibit was inspiring enough to make me long to visit Egypt. The artifacts on display were incredibly wonderful. That most were approximately 3,200 years old was mind-boggling, and the volcanic glass used in the intricate golden pieces was as interesting as the gemstones. Worth a visit and humbling to think that the ancients could do such beautiful work. My modern perspective on their naiveté for the afterlife - some may look on people in our era's beliefs someday as being similarly foolish. Thanks Gail, for taking the photos. We also visited the NY library (I took a pic of a vestibule god - the only one that came out) rather than spend only a couple of hours at the Met which we'll see next time - really want to spend a whole day there and at the Cloisters. Looking forward to viewing the bamboo exhibit on the roof.

Good Luck Michael from Saybrook

Our friend Michael sold his Saybrook home and moved near White Sands, New Mexico last summer with his 28 cats. Staying with us for a few weeks, Bill set up his vehicle with air conditioning and a generator so he could drive them in comfort. We enjoyed having him visit and the opportunity to make their trip more comfortable. Following are photos from that time.

Michael from Saybrook

The Book Mouse

The Book Mouse came for a visit recently and thanks to the sultry weather was not noticed by the house cats. He was oblivious to anything but grooming himself, and we were able to transport him to a safe location with little difficulty.

Time Sense

It was way hotter today - the hike was several miles at Pine Swamp where I wore very light clothing but still sweated up a storm. No it wasn't hot flashes this time! I came home and was going to take a nap under the umbrella on the deck as I slept about 4 hours the night before due to difficulty breathing... the pollen is really bad this year. I was on my way to snooze and Rachel came by wanting to go for a walk so I said I would rather rollerblade than walk so we rolled to the Henny Penny a little over a mile away.  I went down a hill I never went down before and realized my brakes didn't work - couldn't zig zag down the hill as the pavement was all torn up and there were tree branches and rocks on the poorly travelled road. I almost hit a white limo that came from nowhere, and time seemed to stretch out in front of me. I was really living in the moment! I had knee protectors on so I felt a bit more secure than if I had not, but I really didn't want to hurt my hands/wrists/arms falling and of course I didn't have on wrist guards as there was a hornet's nest in the area I kept skate supplies. So I kept going and luckily nothing and no one got in my way so I survived and didn't even fall.

Ordinarily I don't use the brakes.  Ever. I will go down a hill I'm familiar with straight if the surface is in good condition or zigzag my way down but this one was so uneven.  I heeled that foot, expecting the brakes to come on and nothing happened.  It seemed about 60 seconds of pure terror, but it might have been less than that.  My sense of time was surely affected.   

The brake pad was probably worn down a decade ago when I was newly learning how to use them so probably I haven't had a functioning brake for a long, long time. Now I should look for a replacement pad just in case I have to stop next time I skate.

When we got back Rachel and I took the canoe out for a ride to see if it leaked, rowed almost to the railroad bridge and the Thames, but the current led us to Erickson Park so we went in that direction. Then R wanted to go swimming so she jumped in (we had life vests on) and swam, pulling the canoe by tieing the rope around her waist.

Bil and Spencer were working on motorcycles so they missed the fun.

Reunion with Spear Hall Women

Yes it's been about 30 years and it was great to see everyone. I'm posting this because one of the Fabulous Four is having email troubles so here we'll have photos posted.

Thanks to Geri and John for hosting a wonderful get-together. They really were the best!

Shelley