Thanksgiving

Company's here! It's a Holiday!

Let's get fancy.

We'll have nimble young fingers creatively fold napkins.

Each place setting will be a work of art.

We'll toast the holiday that brings the family together.

We'll delight in the surprise appearance of the Indy Duo.

Granddad will enjoy special visits,

and lots of conversation.

The cook and the host will have a fantastic time.

And we will all be ready for a wonderful winter holiday season!

Quick glance back at Lotus weekend

There has been so much going on that I haven't told you about Lotus weekend!

The Ohio Cousins have made a tradition to come for this world Music Festival and we were delighted to have them again this year.

The Festival is more than the music, although there was plenty of that and very enjoyable too.

In fact, here is the first bit of music we heard - that fearless goldfinch eating seeds only a few feet away from the gathering crowds.

We began with a downtown feast at Uptown, 

  and then did the traditional hopping from venue to venue to catch a bit of a dozen sets -- here a Hungarian group gets set up in one of the hosting churches.

And when we were early for the Irish set at the theater, no worries --

waiting just gave everyone a chance to check their email.

Two nights of music..

and two days of exploring our town.

Got to visit the Farmer's Market

and talk to the vendors about the delicious fresh veggies we brought home.

Have to make a trip to Nashville...wait - haven't I taken this picture before??

Really, in the same store with the same couch.

The trip to Lake Monroe was a highlight

and we tasted the first ripe persimmons of the year.

So summer is ended and autumn begun.

June Catch-up (including one hot dog)

Oh June was a full month and I didn't take nearly enough pictures and I didn't keep up the blog. 

Now I am inspired by the Bloomingtonauts (who did take lots of pictures!) to do a little catching up.

Our themes for June:  company and performance!

Granddad was delighted to have company on the front porch of Garden Villa, where he is now staying.

He was so happy that folks came such a long way just to see him!

Then the Bloomingtonauts arrived to begin several weeks of activity,

in which we managed to get in lots of typical Bloomington sights--

the Farmer's Market

the B-Line trail

Lake Griffy

and our old house, now completely redone.

Wow!  You should see inside!

Check out the article about it in Bloom Magazine.

(Scroll down, it's the "50's Ranch Reinvented near Bryan Park" )

We had celebrations --

Father's Day

and Midsummer.

There was storytelling

(we taught a two week course together)

and singing --

Granddad is even singing along, "Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts..."

In fact he is still telling us about the evening when the Bloomingtonaut played and sang songs that he actually knew!

And we got to hear the Bloomingtonaut's original songs performed on stage at Max's Place.

Okay, July, come on - can you top all this?

Lotus Weekend

This weekend it was our turn to host out-of-town company and to be sure their weekend was packed! It was great to have the folks we visit at the lake come visit us.
We tried to hit the usual highlights - the Farmer's Market,

the ice cream stand.

But the reason they came was the annual Lotus World Music Festival!
We started with a picnic at Lotus in the Park and the drumming and dancing of Bernard Woma & the Saakumu Dance Troupe.

After a few non-Lotus afternoon adventures, we returned for an evening of music - trying to get in as much as we possibly could - and as much variety as possible - so we listened to everything from polyphonic choral music to Haitian dance music. We enjoyed Armenian folksongs and traditional tunes from Quebec.

As always, the night was vibrant with sound and the streets full of festivity.

Our favorite performance was by a group called "Crooked Still", who gave some old-time songs interesting new interpretations.

After a long and active day we fell into bed with music still throbbing in our heads.

Out and About

I have been out and about this week.


Mimi and I managed to get in a picnic at the winery.
we walked off our glass of mid-day wine by hiking down to the lake to feed the colorful carp, but I didn't get a picture of them - just this one of us on the trail.




Granddad and I filled a cart at the Farmer's Market.
Isn't that a huge cantaloupe? It's called 'sugar melon' by the grower - also known locally as 'Indiana melon' - and by any name is sweet, sweet, sweet.

But the strangest outing was with T to Wonderlab for an evening of classical guitar music. While we waited for the performance to begin, T mastered "London Bridge" as played with a flip-flop on the pipes.

After the market

The best thing about the Farmer's Market? Eating fresh blueberries and blackberries when you come home!

To Market, to Market

The Cowgirl is helping Granddad go to the Farmer's Market.She thoughtfully takes his hand as they slowly walk down the uneven brick sidewalk.

When he gets his basket, she takes a ride.
Is it a race?
Who will get to the fresh tomatoes first?

After all that it's nice to cool off in the fountain.

Off to a good start

On Saturday Granddad and I went to the Farmer's Market. The Morris Dancers were jingling and clacking and welcoming spring.
There are fresh farm eggs and tender baby greens and sweet little radishes for sale - and lots and lots of plants.
It was a chilly morning so we resisted most of the plants. Except for one:

How could we resist this? We came home with three little sprouts.

Entertaining company with the simple things

It was a fine day for the farmer's market. Some people found the bright morning a bit much until after their cup of coffee.
We carried home sacks full of fresh vegetables to grill for dinner, and fresh fruit to accompany brunch. And tomatoes for every meal.

This is the perfect weather for dining al fresco: cool and clear with a little breeze blowing and the chipmunk chipping in the background. We sit and chat until the coffee is cool and the butter is warm. When we finally get up, three Sunday papers are waiting to be read. When we finish the papers, we each have books we bought yesterday at the library booksale.

We are fortunate that our company is content with simple pleasures.

A Sure Sign of Spring

The Farmer's Market has been open for several cold and chilly Saturdays. We weren't tempted. But this week Saturday was sunny and warm so Granddad and I made our ceremonial First Market appearance.It was difficult to resist bright blooms and fresh young plants.
Granddad knew just exactly what he wanted - and now his garden is off to a fine start.

Unexpected at the Farmer's Market

I expected to find melons at the Farmer's Market (you know how I feel about melons) but I didn't expect to run into a sandwich-board man carrying a petition for the library to buy more books. What a concept!

You know the library's doing something right when it rouses passion in the community.