Yesterday started out nostalgic. Lois decided to rake out last fall's leaves from our front entrance way. The only reasonable way to get them to the leaf pile behind the house was by wheelbarrow going between the garage and the wood pile north of the house but that area was completely blocked with used lumber and pieces of a raft Jonathan built with some college (or maybe late high school) friends. It was in disarray because a couple weeks ago I plundered parts of the raft to make a post for a bluebird house. The raft was crafted with now rotted pallets on top of quality treated lumber nicely sawed to fit over four 55 gallon drums. My stash of used lumber was on top of it. I think it had one voyage after the maiden one. It was great fun watching them build it and although I never saw it floating in the dam pond, neighbors reported that it was a majestic sight. Well maybe they didn't say majestic - probably more like hilarious. Part of what contributed to it's quick demise was that it was a major chore to get it down to the pond from our house. They used our min-van but parts of it stuck out the back and the side. So as I was cleaning up I found the accompanying black pirate flag (a piece of garbage bag folded in a square and held together with duct tape) and the lyrics of Puff the Magic Dragon floated through my head. In case you decide not to listen to the humorous rendition on YouTube in the link above, here's the most apropos lines.
A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, Jackie paper came no more
And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.
Another thing that contributed to my nostalgic mood was the fact that yesterday afternoon Abby was having an "I scream" ice cream going away party at her house in Evanston. Lois and I were invited but we just weren't quite willing to do the 6 hour round trip drive for a 2 hour party. Abby will leave for Seattle by way of Florida for several day's training this week so it will be the last time for who knows how long that Abby will be within reasonable driving distance.
This week we bought round-trip Amtrak tickets to visit her in early October. We bought roomettes again which more than doubles the price of the tickets but we count it part of the vacation and really enjoy this mode of travel.
