Sunflowers

It's time for the annual sunflower field in Newbury.  This is at the same farm where Bill and I went to that farm to table dinner with Pete and Denise.  They have been doing this for years but it seems to be getting more popular each time.  Now there are cones in the street to mark where pedestrians can walk from a parking lot to the field etc.  I remember when it was just a drive by - maybe you stopped and maybe you didn't.  Now everyone who is anyone is at the field while the flowers are in bloom.

They are pretty darn beautiful.

We couldn't do a photo shoot without bringing Petey.

This is our serious sunflower look.

Don't sunflowers make everything seem a little happier??  Have a happy day!

English Beat

We often take our little city of Newburyport for granted.  

One of the events we've avoided due to the crowds is the Riverfest concert series.

Not so this year, reader!

We were lured by the headline band, The English Beat.  They are a ska-pop band, most popular song being 'Save It For Later'.

I just read that this was the most popular concert the Riverfest has held.  10,000 people attended.

 This picture below makes Jen angry.  People were setting up chairs and blankets the night before.  By early morning, every spot was filled, thus eliminating the opportunity for an out of towner to get a decent place to see the concert.  Many of the chairs and blankets were sitting there empty in the middle of the day.  Very selfish of those people.  (Visualize Jen banging a hand on the arm of her new couch in anger)

 These last three pics were from the Riverfest website... we were not on stage taking pictures. 

This was our view.  Standing on the side of the stage.  Which was fine.  We wanted to stay flexible to come and go as we please.

Behind the stage a mix of folks wandering about.  Our little Newburyport guitar musician, old guy who sings old rock standards, was pushed way to the end of the walkway.  He was singing lonely songs.  It was sad.

Others were sitting in their docked boats, which was lovely, but were playing their own music.  Why would they try to drown out the concert with their own music?  Why park your boat there in the first place if you did not want to listen to the concert.  People are very strange.

Then the concert began and old people danced

More good times in the port city.

All Problems Solved

Thursday morning I was full of anticipation.  I told Bill, "This delivery will solve all of life's problems."      I was not disappointed.  Behold the new life changing sofa and ottoman. 

Who will be the first to spill on it?  Probably me.  But right now it is pristine and comfortable and big enough for both of us to stretch out in front of the TV.  

You are probably wondering what happened to the cabinet that used to hold our old fat TV…Bill is having a mental struggle with it's end of life plan.  And it weighs too much to move it multiple times so for now it is enjoying a second life in the kitchen (where all things go to die.   Everything in the kitchen is temporary waiting for the day we finally get around to doing that big project!)

Meanwhile, the old shlumpy sofa was moved to the old dining room for a new life in front of the fireplace.  (Yes, Jessica, the fireplace STILL has no mantle…)

I'm not sure that every single life problem has been solved but at least we can sit comfortably  while we ignore them.

Just a nice little Sunday ...

Fantasy football draft day with Joey and his friends.

I was the designated old guy.

Derek called in from Syracuse.  Kieren Skyped in from North Carolina.

Kieren drafted while sitting on the toilet and finished the draft with an online mooning.

 My team is weak.  Two injuries already and the season hasn't started yet.

 Then it was off to Brenda's house for a cookout.  She lives as the stable manager on 70 acres in Boxford.

 Mom was happy to have us together for the day.

 This is what we taught the kids after our years abroad.

 Apparently this horse is the bully of the farm.

 That didn't slow Wyatt down at all.  It appears that everyone but Joey and I are intimidated by these beasts.

 Joey draws a charge.

 Our cute little family.

 We did alright, raising two great little kids into great men.

A lovely day, indeed.

HA - Groveland edition

I had dinner at Zoey and Bret's on Saturday.

The boys were anxious to show me their skills with the b.b gun and bow and arrow.

 I thought I'd show the boys how the old man hunts.

My arrow didn't even make it to the target.

 After a lovely brisket dinner, cooked in Bret's smoker, the family took part in a game of 'Ha'.

Readers will remember that Jen's family played 'Ha' in Albany last Christmas.

 Malikai was the best and worst at the game.  He couldn't stop laughing, so he always lost in the first round.  However, his laughing was contagious and soon everyone couldn't stop laughing.

Good game, that 'Ha'.

Girl with the pearl earring

Picture Perfect Petey

Petey came on several Yorkshire outings during our holiday which meant we had plenty of time for some royal photo shoots.  Petey posed in churches, and ruins, inside and out.  

You may be wondering if any of these have been airbrushed but no, she really does look this perfect.

Feast your eyes on Petey.