Another rainy, cool Sunday afternoon...just right for reading and napping and
writing....Unfortunately, all this rain and cool weather has put a damper on
the first big week end for parties and cook outs and bringing the boats out of
storage for the yearly ball at Lake James and Crooked Lake and Snow Lake and
all the 101 Lakes that our county sports....I had even forgotten about the BIG
race (sorry all you race fans) until I saw my neighbors were flying their
yearly Indy 500 flag!! Unfortunately, I don't know who won or who even
raced...as full as my world is, it is also void of some of the modern day pieces of the
fabric.

It was a good week. My Dr.'s report was excellent...he said that I was ahead
of schedule and that I should have most, if not all, of my sight
restored...with time. Each day I add activities...driving is the most difficult of all as
the gas bubble has settled right on the center of vision...but it dissolves a
little each day. I am encouraged, although I am a bit impatient as I want it
all to be perfect now...and know that it is a slow recovery. Thanks to my
sister, Jo, sometimes called Jessie, for taking me to the appointments and for
listening when I am still talking....

On Tuesday of this week, my college roommate came calling. It was such a
grand day for a visit....she brought wine and gifts and extended a grown up
friendship (also photos!!) We shared family stories, adventure stories and
reminisced, of course....I tell stories about Sally and our adventures on the
storytelling stage...she is delighted that I do so! I am reminded of a quote from
Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953) "From quiet homes and first beginning, Out to the
undiscovered ends, There's nothing worth the wear of winning, But laugher and
the love of friends."

It is Memorial week end. We used to polish up our white shoes on this
date...I don't think anyone does that anymore. And celebrate? Oh, the ending of a
school year is still high on the list for children. Those crayon boxes that
were waxed shiny in September are hardly held together now the first of
June....now they carry broken pencil stubs (with no erasers), the crayons that were
never used, a few pennies, a note or two, a bookmarker, a wrapper from a
lollipop, small cut out pictures from picture day (with pencil first names on the
back)...it is all to be left on the floor of the closet without another thought
for it is almost summer. Time to look for fairies, taste the first of the
strawberries (I have had a quart a day for the past week and Abe in Portland is
proclaiming his first patch as a new homeowner), graduations and
congratulations to Ryan Rhoads...how are you old enough to graduate, Ryan!! Send us your
plans!

Summer vacations. When we were kids we used to pack up to head to the shores
of Lake Michigan for lots of summers. The house we rented was wonderful and
old...with a fireplace and books and an occasional bat. We would always spend
a day or two on Mackinaw Island...ferrying over. My sister, Jo, and I always
dreamed of spending summers alone there on the island...working in the fudge
shops (I wanted to work in the window so I could visit and wave to everyone
walking by)...and, of course, we dreamed of summer romances. Oh, sure, we
always had boyfriends back home...but a summer romance is just how it sounds. Some
dreams just take longer to come true. I will be spending the summer on
Ocracoke Island, working in a shop (OK, not fudge making, but definitely visiting
everyone who stops by!!) And the summer romance??? Well, I am smiling while I
write that part. I will travel by train (permission granted from my surgeon,
be careful, don't bounce (how does he know me so quickly!!) don't lift, but
take back your life. Thank you, sir, I intend to. So Tuesday evening I board
the evening train to Washington D.C. and then travel on to Norfolk where the
other part of the summer romance will pick me up...it is nice he lives in a
beautiful part of the country, but if truth be told, I would be smiling just as
much if I were spending the summer with him in Cleveland!!

Sunday Passage will continue and I will be keeping my blog site up daily if
you care to visit my diary: http://auntieannsattic.blogspot.com/
My Mom and Dad will be living at the House at White Picket Gardens for the
summer....they will have fresh raspberries and flowers on the table...I left
candles for their dinners and their sheets will be pressed with lavender water
before I leave. Maybe I can get my Dad to send out a Sunday Passage from his
own lap top as they share part of my life here this summer.

I took a late night walk in town last night...the mound is covered with
miniature flags (as are all the homes in town)..flags fly from all the posts and
red, white, and blue colors are draped in all the store windows. To my Uncle
Dean, who served in WWII, I remember you on this day and every day.

Things that summer will carry: fireflies, daylilies, sunburns, firecrackers,
barefeet, bicycles, zucchini, sunscreen, bulging suitcases, sweet corn, porch
swings, warm strawberries dipped in wine, moths on window screens, flip
flops, dripping ice cream cones, late night conversations through screen doors,
worms for fishing, train trips by night, making fudge in store windows.......me,
you.

Love, Lou Ann

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