Indoor begins... sort of

Sheela's indoor team played last week before we returned from vacation. Yesterday's game was a forfeit by the other team for a lack of players. Sheela's team (Brazil) ended up scrimmaging against itself, 3 v 3 with no subs. They had a good time and everyone was playing well, if much more politely than usual. The other two mini-teams (Italy and Germany) from her team played against each other and I never did figure out which one won.

Another Jr Sprint

Sara took first in the 5K and in the 1K. Claire placed second in the 1K. Amanda, Katie and Sunil all finished the 1K. I thought that attendance might be low because of the rain but they had record crowds and the weather was really very pleasant. We didn't arrive until the rain had moved on past the course.

The Order of the Phoenix

Sid and I finally managed to take Sheela to see the latest Harry Potter movie.  It was my favorite of the books but the movie ranked somewhere lower in my estimation.  The richer and more elaborate the plot and the imagery in the book the more they have to cut out to make the movie.  Personally I'd rather they suck it up and make a four hour movie.

Deathly Hallows

I did manage to buy the last of the Harry Potter books Saturday on our way home from TN.  I finished it just before walking in to work on Monday morning.  This was good, I figured I’d have to stay up all night or call in sick to get through it.

Token me pictures

Apparently I did not include any pictures of myself when I posted all of those pictures... so here we go.... a few shots including me. This was cropped out a particularly unflattering picture of me. I do like the way the colors in my eyes show.
I went on the hike too.
I even took breaks.
It was pretty overgrown in spots and I loved it.
Wading at the end of the trip is a good way to get back on friendly terms with your own feet.

That's why they call it nature

We saw primarily three different species of centipedes... and they were every where. This was the prettiest.
Sheela hates this one but there is something about her hair that attracts insects.
You think he's cute now... just wait.
It looks like this cat track has toe nails but they aren't lined up on the pads. We were guessing bobcat... the consensus at work is Mountain Lion based on the size of the print.
Snails on bear scat aren't as likely to get picked up as the ones that have finished eating and wandered off.

In honor of GranpaJohn....

we have the mushroom series..... John was playing in a golf tournament rather than hiking with us this trip.
But I always associate the mushroom and tree stump pictures with John.
This is one of my favorite shots... it shows the "Smoky" in Smoky Mountains.
The rhodies were just past their prime and we were walking on carpets of fallen blossoms,

A few pictures from our hiking adventure

Don't we look fine here at the start of our adventuring?
This is one of the only real views we had on the hike.
Ain't he cute?
The three sided shelter really has three stone walls and an open front.
Sunil was refreshed after his night sleeping on the boards and ready to head down the mountain.

A few shots from Mammoth Cave

Mammoth is not really known for its cave formations but it isn't entirely boring.


The cave cricket is one of the few creatures that really lives in the cave.
Sheela managed to complete her Junior Ranger activities the first day we were in the park.
Sunil took a nap the first evening and earned his patch on the second day instead.

A wonderful time was had by all

We are back from our vacation.  We had drama (more about the plight of the minivan later), we had excitement (a closely contested round of putt-putt golf), we had adventure (bobcat tracks and bear scat), we overcame adversity (those tracks weren't near the car), we had family (Neilanses, Underwoods, and Sharmas) and we had fun (we always do)!

 

Movie

The new Harry Potter movie opened today. I can't wait to go see it. The Order of the Phoenix is my favorite of the books so far. I'm torn between ditching the family and going alone and waiting to go see it with Sheela. I guess I don't really have time to go even if I ditch the family. Oh well.. the last book comes out in less than two weeks too.

Yay Benadryl!

We have grown an impressive (and aggressive) crop of mosquitoes this year. The season usually last only a week or two and I feel put out if I get more than a half dozen bites the whole time. This year in a single outing I can acquire more than a dozen before I even remember that I should use bug spray and this has been going on for more than two months. I'm pretty well miserable. I am now sporting two inch welts on both legs and both sides of both ankles. I've scratched myself bloody in a dozen places. Today my friend introduced me to the Benadryl Itch Relief Stick. I don't think I've ever tried it before, but I recognized it when she showed it to me. I love it. Just a dab and I'm no longer scratching. I may even sleep tonight.

Baby Girl

Here I am admiring my friend's first child. Isn't she sweet?!?!

Tree ID

Sunil has been practicing his tree identification skills. He identified the tree in our backyard as a Basswood. They aren't precisely rare but they are uncommon in Texas. It was probably a scrub tree that was left from before the construction rather than a cultivated choice. It provides shade for the hammock and the bird house that's good enough for me.

His identification of the tree in the front yard ended in a tie between a Coastal Live Oak and a Gray Oak but even the guide book says that it can't hlep with hybrids and most Oaks in Texas are hybrids.

The little twig of a tree that we planted when we moved in is now taller than I am and, thankfully, fuller too. He identified it as a specific kind of Maple, but I don't remember the particulars.

The one that we haven't gotten too yet is pictured here....
These pictures are from our walk by the creek but I forgot to show them to him while the guide book was out. Ah well... something for us to do this evening.

Sunil and I spent our one sunny day adventuring by the creek at Allen Station. The dam was built back when the trains still ran down along the creek. The water tower to refill the steam engines has been torn down but the trestle is still there (but not in this picture). This is the first time we've really seen much water coursing over the dam -- last fall it was just the barest trickle. As far as adventures go this one was very tame. There aren't many places you can even get close enough to see the water. It has carved a decent sized canyon. We never did manage to get down to the water's edge. It is possible by the dam but the water was moving so fast that Sunil didn't want to try it.

All grown up and traveling alone

Sheela left Wednesday for her summer vacation. She flew to Knoxville all by herself on a tiny little plan. She has a few days to goof off with the grandparents, followed by a week of golf and rec center camp followed by a week with the whole family.

Last Day

Today was Amy's last day here at work.  On the good news front she is taking some time to try the stay at home mom lifestyle and see if she likes it.  I'm pretty sure that she will love it.

On the bad news front we've been eating lunch together at least a couple of times a week for eleven years.  Even when we took time off to have kids we hauled our infant children to restaurants all over town.  She has been a true friend, a mentor and a confidant.  It just won't be the same come Monday.

 

 

Fireworks

Dr. C brought home a small collection of fireworks for us to set off at the house.... mostly sparklers, two small roman candles and a few black cats. Of course the photos are terrible but I made the effort....

The rental

My car is in the shop for a few days for some repairs so I'm sporting a nice flashy red 2008 Volvo. It is sad to say but I am definitely not a car person these days. I miss my van. This is too much like trying to carry an evening bag instead of a purse... where do you put the bulky necessities?