Island Update Ending August 7, 2005

Another week is over and it seems so soon. We started out the week with a heavy, but quick, rain storm at day break. That was it until nightfall when we had thunderstorms. Otherwise it was a rather peaceful day. Pam, Greg and Christian did island things, Dad puttered around doing many things, but accomplishing not much of anything and Mom spent a good part of the afternoon visiting Marge down the street. Dad also cooked breakfast which we had missed on Sunday. We finished out the day with lobster for supper. Not a bad way to end the day.

On Tuesday Pam, Greg and Christian departed so we caught the 0945 boat for their 1230 (about) flight. A load of laundry was already going by the time we got up. We should have taken a picture of the golf cart packed with luggage, people and our grocery cart on the roof. We dropped the departing crew off at the airport and ran a few errands including Penny's where we ordered new curtains for the dinning room and then to BJs. Mom couldn't stand the torn curtains any longer. We did manage to stop at Wendy's for a frosty for lunch. We caught the 1415 boat getting back just in time for Dad to do his Docent tour.

Wednesday started out as a rather peaceful morning, sort of straightening up the house before Erin arrived on the 1215 with 2 of her friends from camp in New Hampshire where they all work. Besides Erin was Melanie from Kansas and Graham from Canada. They were very nice and seemed to enjoy their visit. Dad gave them his tour of the island including their exploring Battery Steele. Dad waited outside for their return. Melanie wanted to go swimming so we ended up at the Sandy Beach before heading home and she did in fact go swimming, although not for long. To each his own I guess. They had also planned to have lobster while here in Portland so Mom and Dad decided it would be better here at the house sooooo we had lobster for supper. They caught the 1945. Now Dad has a lobster pot to wash one of these days. He kind of got used to Greg washing it immediately.

Very quiet day on Thursday. We went walking with Denise in the morning and Dad decided to go to town to pick up our August parking permit (safe for another month), a computer disc from our computer guy, Robert, and to get some money. All these things were accomplished in record time. He checked the price of lobster at a couple places since it seems so high on the island, but their price was but a penny less. He did think to bring back some fresh haddock for supper. My, but it does taste good. Friday we went to The Arundal Barn Playhouse with the Portland Parks and Recreation Group (Denise) to see "Some Like it Hot". It was a matinee so we were gone all afternoon. It was lots of fun, but it was very warm, like hot!! We ended up having a very healthy supper of popcorn.

Saturday found us mowing the lawn and vacuuming, after breakfast that is. You have to figure out who did what. Then it was off to the Fair at TEIA. Unfortunately, Diane hadn't yet arrived so Mom conned Dad into going. Diane et al. less Pete because there was no room left on the ferry, arrived on the 1215. Pete came later on the 1415. Marinated flank steak for supper with all the trimmings.

And here we are back to Sunday. Mom and Dad were both up early, but everyone else was rather pooped so we decided to go to 1000 Mass so everyone went. We did have our regular Sunday morning breakfast, but for Paul, Dad doesn't seem to do too well with his singing. This was also the 4th Sunday in a row that members of the Hocker Clan have brought up the gifts at Mass. Later we went to an open house. It was a rather cute place in which you could see water from one of the upstairs bedrooms. Later Pete launched into cutting back the hedge to the right as you face the house. The hedge to the left has been cut back for years and has filled out very nicely. Now we have a hedge of sticks, but it looks very nice. That is where we would really like to build a stone wall. We are really filling up the bank with brush. We, actually Pete, also trimmed some limbs off the walnut tree that were resting on the porch roof, trimmed a bad limb off the cherry tree that had nary a cherry this year and trimmed some of the bittersweet vines that were sticking out from cutting down trees last week. Yesterday, Pete had a bunch of time before he could catch the car ferry so he purchased a bunch of haddock and shrimp so tonight we suffered with shrimp and Mom's delicious baked haddock. We certainly have enjoyed some good meals.

That is about it for this week from up north.

Love, Mom and Dad

PS The weather yesterday and today has been perfectly delightful, just the way it should be up here.