Random Notes from the End of Summer

Well, on to cheerier things. A few random notes:

1. School for the boys starts next week, Wednesday for Owen and Thursday for Leo. I'm not quite sure they've quite come to terms with this. When Ernie told Owen this recently, Owen just looked at him solemnly and said, "I need to go upstairs."

2. One teen has reported that the other teen tells us he's taken a shower but actually has just gone into the bathroom and puts new clothes on. They've been 'showering' after we go to bed so they were able to get away with this. Now that school is starting showers will be earlier and we will demand wet proof. 

3. If I still have a nervous system come Labor Day it will be a miracle. Very, very busy at work these days.

4. Jon Langford/Rebecca Rego/Abstract Man is coming up on the 21st. We did a test run of pulled pork over the weekend and it was delightful. Ernie's got that down.

5. I roasted some cherry tomatoes the other day because we had so many. They were so good that I didn't end up saving too many....two trays of tiny, tiny orange cherry tomatoes cut in half, drizzled with olive oil and a dash of salt....roasted at very low heat for a few hours....we couldn't stop  popping them in our mouths. The boys did not share our enthusiasm. Owen is highly suspicious of fresh tomatoes. He loves them cooked but not raw. I was the same way at his age so I can't really argue. Leo? Well he walked out of the kitchen with a twisted face and said, "Whatever is in the oven smells disgusting." I just said, "I love you too babe." Delightful I tell you, those tomatoes were delightful.

6. New cds from Kevin Gordon and Stone Cupid (Julie Christensen) in the mail yesterday. And oh good lord in heaven do they sound good. Just, just, JUST what I needed! I've got Julie Christensen's 'Cardinal' stuck in my head like nobody's business. Not sure that makes sense but I'm guessing you got the point.

and then of course my beloved Kevin Gordon, who signed the cd to Ernie, me, Leo and Owen. Man I love him.

7. And then there's the yard...a mixed up weedy disaster with a few bright spots that let me partially ignore the rest....

 My favorite thing about summer might very well be zinnias....(well, and fresh tomatoes and basil)....

Marigolds and fennel...and grass gone to seed...

and the absolutely brilliant balsam plant. I started them from seeds and didn't get many, but what blossomed is gorgeous....