Curtis

 Curt doesn't even read my blog but I can't leave him out. Curt is learning how to build boats and sail them in Maine. He is cool without even trying, at all.  He has an effortless style. He gives fantastic hugs. He is hilariously funny. He eats way too much. He has great teeth. He once gave all of his sisters pearl earrings for Christmas, just because (and we don't even exchange gifts with everyone). He is super sweet and sensitive. His girlfriend is awesome. My favorite brother.

Amy

Smells better than anyone I have ever met, modeled pearls at Tiffany's because of glowing skin, reads children's books and gets paid for it, sets the best table and makes the best bed, voracious reader, bluest eyes ever seen, gives amazing manicures, takes care of me like only older sisters can, wonderful auntie, gives best presents, one of my favorite sisters...  

Molly

Funny, Smart, athletic, awesome biceps, amazing aunt, lactose intolerant, loves to talk about b.ms, can hip hop dance like no other white person I know, broke Olivia Shea's running records at SCCS, unbelievably talented artist, can draw anything,  loves to eat, gives great hugs....one of my favorite sisters...

self cleaning oven my a@#

So today I cleaned my mother's oven with a razor, vinegar and palmolive. I am pretty sure this is the only time in my life when I will simultaneously be thinking of Sylvia Plath and Amelia Bedelia. 

the berkshires

a photo of aunt sheila and a beau that i love...

charlie got posted twice...

sara picking blackberries...


the main lodge...
we sleep in the bunkhouse...

salamander and frog searching

molly might hate me for this picture but i think she is always lovely...

What I did not capture: vibrant (a.k.a noisy and yummy) meals. It is difficult to wield a camera and a glass of wine while keeping an eye on two boys. I did not get many pictures of people either, though they were plentiful. It was a whirlwind weekend. We had lots of fun.

off to the berkshires...

We are off to Hayes Pond Camp in Otis, MA. for our annual family reunion. It is a rowdy weekend of almost too much food, hugs, volume, shmancy booze, beautiful women, men with ample calves, pool, ping pong, rowing, swimming, compliments, loud singing, avoiding bears, carved mahogany doors, expensive lamps, reading, card games, automatic espresso, long walks, poison ivy, family reunion tee shirts, artistic southern uncles and his friends, beloved siblings, amazing grilled steaks and portabella mushrooms, a closet carpeted with (circa early nineties) stuffed animals  for the young'ins...did I say too much food? Photos coming...

Moby Dick or The Whale...or The Whale Kelly Will Become if She Continuously Eats Chocolate While She Reads The Whale...

Who else has read  Moby Dick? I know Molly has. I started it, just because. And maybe it is one of those classics, that takes awhile to get into... The writing is exquisite. My copy also has the original illustrations. I thought it wouldn't be such a trial to read, after all, whaling is in my blood, my mother's grandfather and his brothers were all whaling merchants. Plus, I love reading. And the length does not intimidate me at all.  I think it might be that I miss a feminine voice to relate to. If only Ishmael was a woman...Okay I'll stop whining now. 

Some of my favorite bits so far...

" Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping onto the street, and methodically knocking peoples hats off- then, I account it high time to get to the sea as soon as I can."

" ...a purse is but a rag unless you have something in it."

" Then there you lie like the one warm spark in the heart of an arctic crystal."