Strawberry Pickin"

The Flory boys love strawberries.
I researched "pick your own" in our area and was disappointed to see that the prime time is when we would be gone on vacation. I signed up for the email updates anyway - just in case.
Turns out all that rain we had for a few days delayed the season and we could go.

Sunday we met the Flory family to pick us some strawberries. The weather was cool and sunny -  perfect picking!

The boys were so excited. They took their first wagon ride.

And when Mike told them that the tractor was the just like the one that he drove everyday - well, they got really excited.

Didn't take us long to get to the picking site.

Heading out to the fields

Luke was very concerned that he wouldn't have enough time. I assured him he could stay all day if he needed to..

Red ones only

papa showing Owen "the good ones"

Roger and Luke dove right in

looked what I picked

Owen weighed in at 1.4 lbs - Luke at 1.8 and Roger was the heaviest at 2.25.
And the best part was we could take them all home. Even the mushy and yellow ones.

 Since we were celebrating a late Father's Day we had to stop for a picture with Papa and Daddy.

How I Spent my Summer Vacation

Our annual trip to NY to visit with Steve started out with a stop in Cleveland.
Sox Game... We got great seats on the first base side, third row.

After a rain delay of 40 minutes - which was a good thing because it took me that long to find plain nachos with the crappy yellow cheese - That's all I wanted. Not the loaded soggy mess they were trying to sell. Cleveland concessions suck! Game started out great, but Sox Lose. I have to say the Cleveland fans are really sore winners. I finally had to tell them they were playing the Sox and not the Cubs. "Chicago is Chicago" they say. OMG They are So wrong.

Sunday we had a cook out. Mike grilled and Dennis, Steve's boss came over. Relaxing afternoon.

.Weather was hot, but we did manage to take a day to play golf. We found a great course last year and found it was just as enjoyable this time.
Wednesday's are matinees. Steve treated us to "Miss Saigon".
The girl who played the lead was up for a Tony at age 21. She lost to Bette Midler - she had no chance. But man is she really good. I can not understand how a stage actor can get up for so much emotion every performance.

Me, Mike and Barbara, Steve's friend who lives in NYC

Steve's house is 20 minutes from West Point so Mike and I decided to take a tour of the place. We loaded onto a bus with 23 Chinese/Vietnamese/Laotian. I don't know what they were, but none spoke English. We had the guide all to ourselves. We got out 3 different times to walk. It was a great tour.
Highly recommended.

Our last stop was on the way home for a Cubs game in Pittsburgh. Great seats again down the first base side. Row 2. The fans around us here were very friendly.

After dragging Mike to 5 different stadiums to watch the Sox it was only fair I go to one for him. Only it was a throw back game between the Leland Giants (Cubs) against the Grays (Pirates). UGH... I don't know who plays on the Cubs and now they don't have their names on their jerseys. Mike was very patient with me and all my questions.

Now Pittsburgh has some great food. Concession stands everywhere. We both liked the place. AND the Cubs gave Mike a winner in the top of the ninth.
I also did something very smart this time I booked our hotel right across the street from both stadiums. While everyone is paying $50 in Cleveland and $35 in Pittsburgh to park. We walked and were back in our room in 15 minutes. Granted we paid a litle more for the room, but so worth it.

The trip was a busy week and it is always great to visit with Steve and his family. Jack, Sally, Mia, Chanel, Milo and Millie. Thanks for having us again, Steve. Oh, and a big thanks for the chocolate, chocolate chip cheesecake. Yummy...

Drawing

Whenever I am asked who my favorite teacher was I always say, without hesitation, Mr. Krultz, my middle school grade Art teacher. (Mr. Z my HS geometry teacher comes in a close second.)
It's not to hard to figure out why.
Mr. Krultz developed my creative side. He told me I had a natural talent for it and encouraged me for 3 years at the Middle School level. I never felt like it was a slack off class where you just go to get a credit. Even in HS it was my favorite class of the day.

I haven't picked up a pencil to draw a picture in a LONG time, but when I was cleaning I came across my pencils and thought I would give it a try again. See if I still had it...

Mary thought so. I drew her this for her birthday. Bryan liked it too.

Luke, Roger, Owen

Gotta say it was pretty fun.