Sydney's Snifferoo

Wherever Sara and or I travel, be it upstairs for a pair of socks, into the basement to empty the dehumidifier, or outside to enjoy our morning coffee, Sydney likes to accompany us. Although it's perfectly obvious that outside is her favorite. She has plenty of toys but you might not know it because she likes to bury them around the yard. However, what passes for hidden by Sydney is pretty comical. Half buried Frisbees are common sight. Sara's sister Emily is home this week from California.

Last night Emily, Sara, myself, and of course Sydney, enjoyed a wonderful meal with their father, John.

Sydney took her usual Shepard Position at the end of the porch steps to guard our outside dinner party but got up during the middle of the meal and headed for far end of the back yard and stepped directly into the garden. Knowing her fondness for digging, I left my second or third helping of chicken with cashew nuts, and went over to ensure she didn't do any damage.

I was please to see that she was not digging. Instead Sydney was sniffing around like a Swivel Sweep infomercials and was just moments from discovering the skunk that was working its way through the back corner fence between John's yard and his neighbors.

With the eye-burner-stink-bomb crisis averted, we finished our meal in peace and enjoyed a game of bocce ball - during which I achieved maximum glory by winning on account of everyone knocking my bocce-balls closest to the pal lino (the little ball) for the final two points.

A little fun Massachusetts's Bocce Trivia:

There is a cocktail called a bocce ball, made with orange juice, amaretto, and club soda. Michael DeCoste of Duxbury, MA made these popular in the late 1980's after appearing on Family Feud and touting, their "delectable taste" and "clean finish."


I wonder what cocktail DeCoste would have come up with if his game had been interrupted by a skunk.

We had to include one photo of The Hagan Crew (san skunk).

JB

Our Champion -- Flying High

Recently the press seems to be hunting down our family. While still adjusting to Paul becoming a household name after appearing on The History Channel, today Victoria (my cousin) appeared in The Boston Globe.

The golfing publications love highlighting her since she is unstoppable on the green. This article announces how she qualified for the WGAM Amateur championship flight.


The article by Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, entitled Kidder Shrugs Off Pain, Top Seed Welch, can be found in the sports section.

The write-up highlights Victoria's current golfing achievements while battling tendinitis in both arms. Her level of skill, commitment to the sport, and love for golf always amazes me.


We love you and will be cheering you on!


Here is the link to Marrapese-Burrell's article (I promise it's one of the best reads of the summer).

http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2007/07/18/kidder_shrugs_off_pain_top_seed_welch/

Doc. Hollywood

Many of you already know of the book Jay's Dad, Paul, has been busy writing about the ramming of his father's plane Sacktime during WWII. In May Jay and I started counting down the days until the season premier of the History Channel's series Dogfights. Last Friday was the big day! During the second part of the episode the story of Sacktime was revealed. The animated reenactments, historical facts, and witness accounts were amazing; but the show wouldn't have been the same without one key component -- our very own Doc. Hollywood (aka Paul Parker). As one of the interviewees, Paul helped bring the story to life. We couldn't have been more impressed by everything Paul added to the show and now know one thing for sure -- those extra 5 pounds the camera so graciously gives those it films is an Modern Wives' Tale.



Here is the Synopsis of the premier, titled Kamikaze, provided by The History Channel:

KAMIKAZE: Imperial Japan, desperate to prop up their rapidly collapsing empire, sent poorly trained volunteer pilots in suicide attacks against American naval targets. This wasn't the only time pilots used the plane itself as a weapon. German, Russian, and even US ramming tactics will be explored.


If you are interested in checking out the show, you can find the schedule of upcoming episodes at: http://www.history.com/minisites/dogfights

A PEEK of Our Trip to Peaks Island

We just returned from a relaxing trip to Maine. While visiting Jay's Mom we took a trip to Peaks Island. Once on the island we took our time taking in the sites and of course found time to dine on some clam strips. For those of us that have yet to acquire a taste for each Maine entree, the veggie wraps can easily win you over. Here are a few images from our trip -- if you want to take a PEEK.

Here is a quick review of our trip.












Yep, you guessed it -- here's the entrance to the island.












Fortunately, there were plenty of signs around so we wouldn't get lost. From the look of things, updating the street signs must not have made it into one of the island's budgets in a few years. Maybe the residents seemed to forget their home started to gain popularity in 1700?







Surprisingly, we never got lost. Then again, the island is only 3 miles long.










When questioning our whereabouts, we look up and down and all around.

































We spent some time at The Fifth Maine Regiment Museum. The building and the views were stunning.

While wondering around a few surprises came our way. One of many finds happened to be an ORANGE house owned by the Clarke Family (Clarke was even spelled correctly -- maybe some distant relatives of mine were from Maine).

After we enjoyed a filling dinner we returned to the ferry and headed back to Portland.

The commute to and from the island couldn't have been easier. We left at 6:15 and never once encountered any gridlock.

Once back at the harbor, it seemed as if we had never left Massachusetts. Boston Harbor was staring right back at us. Home sweet home.

Our Garden Rocks

After a year hiatus (weddings can be a bit distracting), we attacked our rock garden with full avengence this afternoon. Success -- well, we're getting there.






Sydney kept guard -- she knows how vicious worms can be.

Jay at work -- check out the hat. You never know what will appear after cleaning our house!

Sydney enjoyed the new found attire -- more images from her fashion show are included below.

Here are a few images of what will hopefully continue to grow.

Sydney may have gotten a little sun stroke. At least one of us was able to take a nap.

More shots from Sid's fashion show.

We splurged -- I got a new pair of gardening gloves. They don't look all that new anymore. I think this must be a good sign.

I couldn't avaoid including an image of something orange. The new crocs did come in helpfull.

Our summer drink of choice helped keep us hydrated.

4 grams of calcium? We don't know.