Missy & Claire's Soiree.

Our neighbors at the other end of the block, Claire and Missy, had a get together last Saturday for all of the King William Crew past and present that were in town for the holiday.

The food was wonderful, the company delightful, and the hosts Divine!

Thanks Claire and Missy for a splendid Soiree!

Taking up residence.

House Wren

During his visit last summer, our Grandson Alex built a fine cedar Wren house and hung it up in the back yard. I noticed on Saturday a pair of House Wrens had started to prepare the house for their impending brood. I imagine they will be sitting on eggs by the time Alex arrives for his visit in a few weeks.

Enlarge the following photos and look close, Ive tried to indicate where the Wren is in the pictures.

On a side note... Ezra's bird house has had two families of House Sparrows so far this year.

Like a fine wine... better every year!

Hard to imagine that I was just 23 when I had my very first child... not more than a child myself. It changed my life forever and for the better.

I remember taking you home from the hospital and thinking that everyone around me was just driving way too fast!

I remember cleaning everything you came in contact with to the point that any attached microbe had a better chance surviving on the face of the sun.

I remember your first belly laugh, how it made me feel faint, and how we whisked you out of the store all the while trying to get you to do it again.

I remember your first steps and how everything in the house became so sharp and pointy looking.

I remember getting a rush of adrenaline each time you'd fall and thinking my heart wasn't going to be able to survive it all.

I remember trials and tribulations you went through that were oh so important at the time, and how I wished I could make them all go away.

Most of all I remember all the fun times we've had, how proud I am of who you've become, and how excited I am to see what life has in store for you.

Robin, we love you more that you will ever know. Happy Birthday dear one.

Poppy and Susu.

You've come a long way baby!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEEDLE DEE!!!

From the moment you arrived our lives have been filled with the joy and wonder of watching you grow into the wonderful daughter, sister, wife, and mom, that you've become.

Wishing for you the best of birthdays!!

All our love, Poppy and Susu.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Our Busy May Day.

We had lots to do on this May Day!

The day began with a walk down to Forest Hill Park for the first Farmers Market after the winter break. Susu grabbed us breakfast at her favorite taco stand and we washed it all down with Blanchard's coffee. We also picked up some local honey, a pecan pie, strawberries and some herbs for Sue's herb garden.

Among the throngs that descended on the event we found neighbors Pam and Mike Schwartz, Dave Belde with twins Sophie and Lilly, (or is it Lilly and Sophie?), and Derek Andresen with Ian and Mia in tow. The kids provided free entertainment, dancing and singing, as we took relief from the hot sun in the shade of one of the park shelters.


After the market Sue, Nuala, and I walked over to the river and Nuala took a dip to cool off.

And after all that, some of us managed to squeeze a bit more fun into the day with a trip to the Diamond for a Richmond Flying Squirrels ballgame. Susu as you might have noticed, is in tight with the mascot Nutsy. Cheering on the home team with us were John & Ruth Ann Coski, Mike and Pam, ("Fast Hands" Mike, took away a souvenir shot into the stands between innings), Mia and Grandpa Tom.

King Williams Dance Troupe.

LUCY !!!! You ha sum splaynin to do.

Found this pic as I was downloading off the camera and had to smile. I have no idea what the story is behind the gathering but it's nice to see the girls in the neighborhood out having fun together.

From left to right: Amelia, Sarah, Susu, Kelsey, Lindsay, and Leah.

BUSTED!

Just another day in heaven.

Have you ever started a day that seemed to be pretty routine, and then found yourself in a little slice of heaven?

This morning was just such a day.

Nuala and I started a morning walk, and instead of our usual stroll through the neighborhood to Forest Hill Park we detoured to the river instead. We walked the four blocks to the Nickle Bridge and dropped down to the river on the Buttermilk bike trail. Once we were at waters edge I took Nuala off leash and cut her loose to sniff to her hearts content. I know she thought she was in heaven! We walked along the river for about half a mile to where the 42nd street overpass is located and boulder hopped out to a shoreline island. We worked our way downstream about 100 yards and came out at a sandy beach in a calm part of the river. Nuala was aching to get into the water so I had her swim out and fetch sticks I'd thrown upstream.

It's hard to imagine that this tranquil little spot is less than 2 miles from city center and all its hustle and bustle.

As I sat there with a soggy and oh so happy puppy, and looked out over the river with its busting at the seams green, flora, and watched a family of geese swim by it was easy to feel very blessed. If all this could be packaged somehow, a man could make a million!

The Boys of Summer and a Field of Dreams

Sue and I took a trip to DC Friday afternoon and caught a Dodgers vs Nationals game at the new National stadium. We drove up to the the Franconia/Springfield Metro stop and took the Metro up to the park in order to avoid the parking crush before and after the game. Two thumbs up for that Idea!!

The Metro station was one block from the Center Field entrance to the Ball Park and you could see the stadium as soon as you exited the station... lovely!. Having been away from pro sports for so long here in sleepy Richmond, I was immediately caught up in the excitement and carnival like atmosphere that seemed to pour out of the park swirling around you then sucking you back towards the stadium and it's magical allure.

I was reminded of the James Earl Jone's character in Field of dreams and his description of why people will come to see the field of dreams.

They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it, for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers, sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The Memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant throughout the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But Baseball has marked the time.This field, this game, it's part of our past Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and it could be again.

PLAY BALL !

Thank you Susu for a wonderful idea and afternoon.

Love, Poppy

Like a duck to water, Nuala takes the plunge.

Today was the perfect day for a trip to the Rivah.

We've often wondered if the Lab in Nuala would kick in someday and turn her into a true water dog. She's enjoyed playing in the water but has never been comfortable enough to take the full plunge. That is, until today.

Nuala started her water play as she usually does, wading through the shallows, and biting at the rivulets flowing between the rocks. It wasn't until Sue had the bright idea of including in the game one of Nuala's true loves, a stick, that the water play took a turn towards the inevitable.


We started by throwing the stick into the shallows then slowly worked if farther out, and into deeper water until, Voila, Nuala came into her own and became a true Labrador Retriever.

Reminded me of watching my kids walk for the first time.

Next will be training her to retrieve the newspaper... from the neighbors house down the street.

After her swim it was time to dry off, loll in the sun, have treats, and gnaw the ubiquitous stick.

THE BIG DIP

Round of Golf and the Masters 2010

The King William Crew got together this last Sunday for a Round of Golf at the Belmont Golf Course, followed by lunch at a local Sports Bar and Grill, followed by the Masters Tournament down in the Man Cave.

The Belmont G. C. it turns out has some remarkable history in that it was host to the PGA Championship back in 1949. Sam Snead, (VA), was the winner in that event.

http://champexhibit.pgalinks.com/index.cfm?year=1949

We all had a great day both on and off the links.

Participants: Derek, Dave, Mike W., Mike S., Raj, and some rummy named Matt.

Hey ... Julie's in DC!

My sister Julie called me the other day to let me know she was in DC for business. Good timing as I had the following day off. Alas, I left Richmond at 3 PM and didn't arrive in DC until 7 PM.

4 hours to do 90 miles!

Sorry Kiddo, you didn't get much of a nickel tour, we had just enough time to go to dinner down in Chinatown.

We had a nice chat though and were able to catch up on all the who's doing what news.

I suggest next time we do this right and have you come when there's no work to do.

Love you a ton!

Nuala Cottontail, Easters on it's way!

Here comes Nuala Cottontail,

Hoppin down the bunny trail,

Hippity, Hoppity,
Easter's on it's way.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Annual King William Easter Egg Hunt

Susu put together another of her annual events for the kids on the block, both old and young.

And as has been the case for all her events, it garnered rave reviews.

Great job Susu !!!

They're at the gate.... The flag is up.... Aaaaand they're off !!!