apple picking!

Summer is dwindling away here, and I am sad to see it go.  I must admit that I am hoping for two very conflicting things: just a little bit more summer, and the chill that will bring the mosquitos at our house to a standstill.

Anyways, we went apple picking for the first time this year, and it was very educational:

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    Apparently stink bugs thrive on apples. 
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  Not all grown-ups can ignore said stink bugs.
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  Said grown-ups make Mama happy she grew up in the woods. With boys. 
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  Apples can and do split right open on the tree, by the dozens. 
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  My boys enjoy picking fruit that isn't growing on the ground (they both picked and picked and picked). 
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  And, most importantly, we learned that someday, when we own our own place, we want fruit trees.  Especially a sprawling apple tree for climbing.

ruby

My Grannie has passed away. 

This is me and my Granniemiss, one winter (see the socks and long sleeves?).  She and my Papa owned a Honda shop.  My daddy was a mechanic there.  My childhood was full of bikes.

One time we went there, and I had just gotten started on a brand-new candy cane.  Licked the whole thing pretty good, and then we went behind the counter to say hi, and I hugged my Grannie.  When we let go of each other, that candy cane was gone.  G. O. N. E. 

It was stuck in the back of Grannie's pretty, curly hair-do. 

When they finally got it out, it was chucked into the trash, which had just been emptied.  I remember standing on my toes and sadly peering over the edge of the bin.  I feel kind of like that right now.

I still remember exactly what those trash cans looked like.

And she still loved me anyway.

Goodbye Grannie.  See you soon.

I love you, too.

Papa

Our little Eve has now smiled at everyone in the family.  The boys were so excited, when they each received their first sister-smile, but not nearly as much as her daddy was!

I love, love, love to watch him loving on his kids.