Well, we survived our 26 day tour through three states and the abhorrent temperatures of the time. We flew into D.C. and then drove up to Pennsylvania for Bert's family reunion. A good time all around and so good to see his family. We also spent more time traipsing around cemeteries doing more family history stuff. It was a bit slow going though since the temps were in the high 90's. Rested often, found shade and drank lots of water.
After five days we drove back to D.C. and dropped off the car and got to our hotel downtown for my summer meeting of my student business group. Just us committee members and so much fun to see friends again. Adult teachers without kids can sure have a lot of fun. I was in meetings most of the time and poor Bert had a time of it trying to see the sights as the temps never really cooled down any. We did walk around a bit in the Dupont Circle area and ran across a store that had some Japanese fabric. Of course I enhanced the stash. Saw a bit of the new WWII monument and a few other things since I was there last.
Six days later and we flew off to Michigan to see my family. Still quite hot but not as bad. As usual challenges abounded. Mom and Aunt are talking which is an improvement, but it is still tense. Conversation is necessary though as Grandma, 91, has been moved into a nursing home. A bit of a debate on whether this was really necessary as she and my Aunt, and newer second husband, still lived together, but the transition has been smooth and Grandma seems very settled and happy. That is so good. The hard part was picking things up set aside that were important and had meaning to me that were Grandma's. To say that I felt like a vulture hovering over someone still living is not an understatement. A bit odd. Through the process of it all I have found out a whole lot about my family history though and that has been very beneficial. I also got all the small quilts back that I had made Grandma over the years. I think that I will have to make a bright lap quilt for her for the winter though. She gets cold easier and I'm sure that it would be nice. Mom is doing well and so is the rest of the family. About two weeks and then we flew back home. Distance is good sometimes.
I've also continued working on the hand appliqued blocks that I started on last summer as my travel project. Almost done with them so I will be able to piece the blocks together soon. I will try to get some pictures posted of the completed ones soon. I also picked up a cross-stitch that Mom started nearly 30 years ago so I will try to finish that. It is actually for my sister and goes with the Little Women china dolls Grandma and Mom made her one year.
School starts two weeks from today so I am busy around the house getting things done, going to appointments that are hard to make once school starts and trying to enjoy the last of my summer. It doesn't look like we will even break 70 this summer in Anchorage. Also been lots of rain so I guess that traveling for the last month has been good.
The group has looked rather quiet but then it is summer and we are all trying to enjoy it I am sure. Glad to see that everyone seems to be doing well overall. Good to be back.
Steven Alaska