Family and Friends - Redoux

The highlight of springtime on Useppa is always a visit from family.  From youngest to oldest is Evie (just 7), Clara (about to turn 14), Erin and Jeremy.  It’s a long trip form Eugene Oregon which we attempt to reward with warm weather and lots of relaxation - so after a day to settle in, off we went for a brief boat ride and an afternoon on Caya Costa to wander the beach, collect shells and venture into the turquoise waters. 

Back on Useppa, there was also visits to the Grotto, with its increasingly odd assortment of art and artifact.  The girls were very helpful in the butterfly garden, where we spotted newly hatched Monarch caterpillars on Giant Milkweed bushes.  Egrets were spotted fishing on the dock. Most mornings Evie could be found patiently waiting for Po-pop/Steve  to finish reading the morning headlines, while Bubbie/Karen watched the sun come up while preparing the first round of breakfast.  

There was also the very unexpected visit of some of Karen’s closest and most enduring friends to help celebrate her BIG birthday. (We’ll let you guess which one.). Steve had spent months contacting, planning and plotting their travel and a weekend of surprise events.  They braved unexpected snow storms and boarded trains, cars, planes and boats to meet on Useppa, where they hadn’t been since witnessing our wedding over 10 years ago. They, and the all of Useppa,  kept this secret and certainly pulled off the surprise of a lifetime! Proof positive that secrets truly can be kept and that really good friends are one of life’s most precious treasures. 

So what are you waiting for? Be in touch and let us know when to expect you!

 

10 Days of Complete Business

It began with the arrival of the Oregon Kaufman's on July 3rd.  The first in about 7 years and Evie's first visit. Here at the Maperium - a Boston original and a way to experience the globe from the inside. This is a unique experience you'll only have here, can't really describe and will never forget. 

This is Boston with the Kaufman's so there was boating. Swan boats on The Commons, a tradition since 1877 - the replica WWII amphibious Duck boats - and of course Blue Chip with Captains Evie and Steve at the helm. 

July 4th, which meant fireworks on the Charles, viewed from our back deck with the Boston Pops playing in the background. (We're happy to arrange anything for Evie, Clara, Erin & Jeremy and invite all of Boston to attend.) Clara and Jeremy clearly enjoyed driving and bumping at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH.  Evie and Bubbie over did it in the twirling cups and decided pitch-prize games might be a better option.  And we all agreed that the New England Aquarium was the perfect rainy day activity.  Definitely visit during feeding times for giant sea turtles, penguins, and seals. Also stop and pet the sharks and man-if-rays - but NOT during feeding time. 

We were very sad to see kids leave and hope they return soon - there's so much more exploring to do! While Steve got back to work, Karen got back to earning traveling points. 

A quick trip to NYC proves you can successfully put lipstick on a pig! The LIRR and NJ Transit are finally going through s renovation it's needed for 40+ years. It's truly amazing what a little "lipstick" can do. 

Above ground - movie makers take advantage of New Yorkers exiting the City for the cooler beaches.  Hoever, in the evening it's clear that vacationers are here in full force, despite the fact that in the summer Time Square becomes a de facto oven. (Where is trip Advisor?)

A quick run to Florida for a dentist appointment (don't ask) also means a stop on Useppa.  Late day storms creates beautiful sunsets, complete with rainbows. The rainy season has everything blooming, including  beeblam and Passion flowers.  The butterflies are thrilled! It's also a great time to plant, if you can work the timing around the 100% heat index. More water please. 

Southwest Florida loves its Gulf Coast shells.  Although typically seen decorating mirrors, boxes and lampshades, why stop there? This 2005 VW Beetle is covered in 60 different species of shells to commemorate the first National Seashell Day which was proclaimed by Lee County, FL and first celebrated on June 20, 2016. It took 65 volunteers 1,200 hours to apply 20,000 shells using 100 tubes of Amazing Goop marine glue. Okay - we've  now debunked any rumors that Florida lacks innovative spirit!  Has anyone contacted Ridleys? 

Summer has just started.  Clearly we are determined to make the most of it. We'll keep you posted. 

Eugene - Summer on the Farm

                          

                       

Eugene is one of those unusual places. Coming in by air, you pass over dense hilly forestland juxtaposed against flat farmland, punctuated with lakes, rivers and small towns. It's the Pacific northwest but has moderate winters and summers that can get VERY warm - you know the 95-105 degree type of warm. Sunsets are often amazing, as mist rises or debris from forest fires states away drift into the atmosphere, enhancing the sun's last rays. 

                        

We always look forward to the days we share with Erin, Jeremy, Clara and Evie. But it's a special treat when we all go to Saturday Market.  There's live music, lots of internationally fresh cooked foods, local crafts - which inevitably includes the Eugene favored tied die and fabric painting - along with local crops of flowers and vegetables. Delightful fun in every way!

                     

 Then it's back to the farm. The girls, Jeremy, Erin and even Bubbie-Karen burn off some calories on Clara's birthday trampoline. This is fun and a LOT more exhausting then it looks. The girls have a variety of special moves and then there's the leaping basketball hoop. Bubbie clearly needs lessons. Next time we're all determined to get Pop-pop to join in.

                          

Just about a year into the new homestead, it's amazing to see what the family has accomplished. There are about 20 various fruit trees in place, ranging from apple to pear, fig and plum - just to get started. Beds of berry bushes and hills of strawberries promise spring and summer delights, along with the herb and veggie patch. The Cinderella pumpkin plant orb simply glows! Erin's has begun to put her stamp on the landscaping and is experimenting with an acre of cut flowers beds. The menagerie has certainly grown. This single beehive hums, with those little winged creatures producing close to 100 pounds of honey. Three ducks dive into their bath and perform entertaining antics. The bunnies continue to thrive and the girls have learned how to avoid their scratches. The fox literally got into the henhouse, so all 20 egg producing layers are gone for the time being. Then there are the cats and let's not forget about Henry - the family dog who just doesn't quit. 

                                  

With all there is to take care of - along with two very active girls - it isn't often than Erin gets a moment to breathe, so stollen quiet moments while the girls, Dad and Pop-pop are rare and cherished! And since we are both generally the designated photgrpahers, a photo of either of us is a RARE event.

                     

Pop pop Steve's other side inevitably comes out when he's with his girls. There's puzzles with Evie (We think this is the first time she completed 100 pieces all by herself with a "little" help from Pop-pop), admiring Clara's claymations and dress up costume parties. Did we mention the inevitable tea party with doll dress up - LOT's off doll dress up.

                   

While Clara attends French-fairytale camp (yup, we needed an explanation too), Evie is entertained with miniature golf, carousels and whatever else we can cook up. The reward at the day's end is chocolate ice cream - naturally - they are Steve's granddaughters.  We are hoping for an autumn visit, but in the meantime, we're restocked on new memories and simply can't believe how much this family accomplishes in any given day!