Nothing that urgently needs to be done!

Now that we are in the new house, a lot of the pressure is off. Jenny and Ellen finished up cleaning the condo today - they left it spick and span. We'll see if that means they'll get a deposit back. Paul returned the U-Haul truck and the four of us (Max was still at the Bell's) went  to the Wagon Wheel in Thayne for brunch (where Ellen and I had an anniversary breakfast back on the 15th). But this was a Sunday noon, and the staff were overwhelmed - we waited more than an hour for our food! It was good once we got it, but that was an unacceptably long wait. Jenny called Carrie Bell to make sure Max could stay that  long - it was ok. I slept in late, did not go to church, had brunch, came back and worked on Spelling Bee, watched The Simpsons (Max's choice), and had an early supper. My work contribution for the day was to completely clean up the kitchen after supper. The dishwasher isn't "set" yet - not secured - so I did the dishes by hand. Which is what I'm used to doing at home, but with one big difference - the bottom of the sink here is a few inches lower than at home. Our counter at home was built high for me. So I felt it in my back. But the dishwasher will be operative tomorrow, I suspect. Meanwhile, things feel a lot more relaxed as far as the house is concerned. Jenny does have a crazy week at work - lots of special events. Summer prime time at the Sporting Club! Max could go to a golf camp at the Club, but he doesn't want to. I think we're going to Idaho Falls on Tuesday.

The kitchen as it appeared tonight after a clean-up - there's still a bit more work to do before it is really done. But it's getting there.

Stewart Letter #7

 Note: This letter was formerly numbered #5, but I found two letters mailed earlier, so it is now #7. See post for July 6, 2019 where #5 is now.



                                                                August 17, 1944

Dear Dad,

            I'm writing this on regular typewriter paper because we are all out of V-mail forms, which shows how many letters we have written since there are quite a few in one package. I hope sincerely that you settle down pretty soon so that you can receive the mail that we have been sending you for the last month and a half or more.[i]

           

            I have been doing quite a bit of corresponding outside of writing to you, what with sending letters to Congressman Gale,[ii] telling him that I could not take the Annapolis or West Point mental examinations,[iii] and sending for information about the ASTRP,[iv] and sending for my birth certificate, and participating in a round robin letter system started by my cabin counselor at Ihduhapi. I am keeping my adeptness at typing in trim anyway.

            Every time that I think of how much money I am saving by having my dental work at the Dental College,[v] I feel glad that I am having it done there. All that I have to pay for is the filling , as the student cannot charge for his work, and has to pay for his own burrs, and on my hard teeth that means he has to buy plenty, and at fifteen cents apiece! I have learned that the front surface of the teeth is called the mesial, the biting surface the occlusal, and the back surface the distal.  I have also learned the system for locating teeth in the mouth, although this is not a very great accomplishment since they are typed as lower or upper, then right or left and the number of teeth, from the front.

            Both the war in the Pacific and in Europe looks good, though there is still a lot of fighting left, but we have such large forces ready that there can be no doubt about the final outcome.

            There is a possibility that I might not pass the physical examination for the ASTRP, because the lump just above my ankle has not yet disappeared, and I cannot run yet. In that case, I think I would have my teeth completely fixed at the Dental College, since my present dentist said that I have a cavity in practically every tooth in my mouth. Having these fixed might clear up the lump, since the doctor said it was caused by a toxic infection.[vi]

            I have bought a bond and I have it with the bonds that you have bought. I bought stamps at intervals at school, and finally collected $18.75 worth.[vii] Also I have opened a savings account with the Farmers and Mechanics Bank.[viii] I started out with a deposit of sixty dollars.

            I cannot help but think how lucky I am to be seventeen years old and already graduated from high school,[ix] for competition in skilled, unskilled and professional work after the war will be high, and the sooner I'm through with my University training, the better. That is my motive for deciding to enlist in the ASTRP, since I would start at the beginning of September, if accepted. I understand that the work will require much intense mental concentration, but I am supposed to thrive on that, I believe.

            Thanks for the swell letters that you have sent to us. They certainly do present England as a picturesque location.[x]

                                                             Your eldest,

                                                                 Stewart

           

---

[i] Dad landed in France on August 22, so he did  "settle down pretty soon" after this letter was written.

[ii]This would be Richard Pillsbury Gale (October 30, 1900 – December 4, 1973) who was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota. He was born in Minneapolis; attended the public schools of Minneapolis, The Blake School in Hopkins, Minnesota, the Minnesota Farm School, and the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis; was graduated from Yale in 1922; became engaged in agricultural pursuits and securities in 1923; was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1939 and 1940 and elected as a Republican to the 77th and 78th Congresses, (January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1945). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1944 to the 79th congress; author of newspaper articles on social, economic, and political life of people in various foreign countries; returned to agricultural pursuits and resided at his Wickham Farm near Mound, MN.  He died in Minneapolis, December 4, 1973. Gale was defeated by a Democrat in the November, 1944 election in which FDR was swept into a fourth term.

[iii] One of a Congressman's jobs is to deal with applications for the military academies.

[iv] ASTRP = Army Specialized Training Reserve Program, a program for 17-year-olds (but not older than 17 years, 9 months), in which the Army sent you to college until you turned 18, at which time you would go into basic training. This program appealed to Stewart because it would give him a head start on college. 

ASTRP Recruitment poster

[v] This was the College of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota.  It was cheap, but you had to be willing to be worked on by students. Stewart manifested his frugality at an early age!

[vi] Again, unbelievable - a broken bone, and the doctor didn't recognize it!

[vii] The cheapest War Bond sold for $18.75 and was worth $25.00 at maturity in ten years. I also bought war savings stamps at school; when you filled a book, you could convert it into a bond. I still have an incomplete book of stamps that was never redeemed.

[viii] In 1944, the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank in Minneapolis was located at 88 S. 6th Street - a beautiful Art-deco building which today is a Westin Hotel. The FMSB itself no longer exists. 

The Minneapolis FMSB building in 1944 = note the bas relief sculptures of s farmer and a mechanic .

[ix] Stewart actually graduated at age 16 and turned 17 ten days later.

[x]  When dad arrived in England, he learned that the D-Day casualties among chaplains were less than feared, and he was not immediately needed. Thus he had six weeks or more in England as a virtual tourist.The letters Stewart refers to have not survived, but we have an account of this period that dad wrote after the war.

At the pool

We are at Star Valley Ranch pool with Max. It is extremely pleasant sitting here in the shade with a light breeze. We ate lunch here earlier. This morning I took on the task of cleaning the frig at the condo - cleaning it out and then washing all the shelves and walls.  That was my contribution. After that I packed all our stuff in the car. Paul wasn't feeling very well. The beds hadn't  been moved yet when we left for the pool. We'll see what happens!

Star Valley Ranch Pool, officially called the Cedar Creek Pool

Coming out of the pool

 Max had probably 2 1/2 hours at the pool. He wished that there was someone there he knew, but there wasn't. But he still had a good time.

When we came home from the pool, it was time for supper, and since it was a beautiful evening, we went to Melvin's brew pub again. What a great spot!

On the deck at Melvin's - you can see Ellen in her blue cap at the far right.

 While we were at the pool, Carrie, mother of Aubrey and Jaida, texted and asked if Max wanted to come and play with the girls. It didn't work out then, but it has ended up that Max is doing a sleepover there tonight. Ellen just took him there.

 Tonight, we are all in the new house. This is our new bedroom:

Our new digs

On our way home from the pool we stopped at the Etna Trading Company. I sat outside while Ellen and Max went in for cones. For about ten-fifteen minutes, I looked at this building right across the highway, and I thought of Jim Tolles, and what a nice painting he could make of this building. The colors are not his usual palette, but I think it has its own beauty.

Moving Day

Paul and Ellen went to the landfill with a load of trash, then Ellen dropped Paul in Thayne and he picked up a U-Haul truck. They just got back. Meanwhile, I stayed at the condo and packed dishes.  All well wrapped in newspaper. Mugs, glasses, china, big bowls, refrigerator storage dishes, etc. I got four boxes packed. Now it's lunch time AND Paul is going to watch the women's World Cup match between U.S. and France. Let's keep our priorities clear here! Soccer takes precedence over moving! Well maybe not, but it is important. Ellen and I can actually move some boxes during the game, though we might watch some soccer too.

Our truck

What I accomplished !

Later:
The U.S. Women's team beat France 2-1 !!

The kitchen cabinets are all cleaned out. Paul took the first load over to the house in the truck.

Ellen went to Jackson to get Max.

I'm exhausted already, so I'm resting a bit. But I did clean out under the sink in both the kitchen and downstairs bath. We're getting there!

Empty!

Does this look like moving day?

How about now?

It's 7:30pm, almost everything is moved, but not the beds. We'll stay here tonight. We had a strong helper from the  club where Jenny works helping with big stuff. His name was Phil and he is from Ireland. He was a big help. The move went pretty well and tomorrow will be pretty easy to finish up. Then there is cleaning  here and unpacking there!. But Paul already has the living-room/dining room looking pretty cozy. Max is already over there watching something. He loves his new room.

Picking up Max

Today I went over to the house around noon and tackled cleaning the stainless-steel kitchen sink which had been used as a utility sink during construction and was coated with gunk, especially some grey grout that had been used in making the concrete counter tops. It was a job, but I got it looking shiny again. As I remarked to Ellen, "God made fingernails for jobs just like this." She, meanwhile, was vacuuming and Paul was building a new railing at the top of the staircase  that would be safer than the temporary one that was there.

After a bit more cleaning-up, we came back to the condo, made a snack and headed up to Jackson to pick up Max from camp. Today he made a little boat. Max opted for a trip to Moo's -  the best ice-cream in Jackson. We had fun sitting outside eating our ice-cream while sitting next to the statues and watching Japanese tourists taking pictures of each other. Then we came home.

Picking up Max

Eating ice-cream with Mark Twain and Huck Finn

Tourists are particularly attracted to this elk

What is this? This wooden structure was beside the road near the Colter school where Max's camp was held. It is old and weathered. Ellen thinks it has something to do with hay, but I couldn't figure out what it's function was.

Work & Play

Yesterday morning was a work morning; the afternoon was play. I got a pretty good night's sleep Tuesday night, for a change, so I was up in good season and cleaned up the kitchen while Ellen took Max to camp in Jackson. When she got back, we went together over to the house and put in some time cleaning up the garage, which was just a mess with stuff all over the floor; we did a lot of sweeping and organized a whole bunch of trash for a run to the dump. We also brought trash out from inside the house.There were ten huge black construction bags full by the time we finished, plus a lot of wood scraps. If we could bring those scraps home, we'd have a supply of kindling to last for years! However, I am at least salvaging ceramic tiles to bring back and use in my downstairs bathroom.

We got things ready for a dump run but didn't actually go to the dump. The law requires that everything be tied down and covered, and Paul has to do that. He was busy with the electrician ("Steve") who was at the house; the kitchen range got hooked up, among other things. Bit by bit!

After that work stint,  we came home for lunch, and at 2:30p.m., we picked up Aubrey Bell, the younger of the two girls who used to live next door, and we went back up to Jackson, picked up Max at the school where Camp Invention was being held (the John Colter Elementary School),  let them play a while at the school playground where the camp is being held (a fantastically well-equipped playground) and then went to see Toy Story IV. What a wonderful movie! An engaging story-line and incredibly creative animation. And the theater has new seats: every seat is now a recliner! I wonder what that cost! And I wonder how many people now go to sleep during the movie? I didn't go to sleep.

Woody and "Sporky" - a new character in Toy Story IV

 After the movie we went to Jackson Whole Grocer for supper - pizza for E, M & A, soup for me.

The playground at John Colter School

Max and Aubrey on a climbing apparatus...

...and on a whirley-gig thing.

Happy boy!

We were just finishing up supper when the first 2020 Democrat presidential candidates' debate started (7p.m., Mountain Time), so we weren't able to watch, but we caught the end after we got home and watched some post-debate discussion. I think we can watch the second debate tonight. When asked, "what is the greatest threat facing the U.S. today," four or five candidates said, "climate change." That's a new development. One said "Donald Trump!"

Another letter (#4) from Stewart to his dad in 1944

Here is Letter #4, written just six days after Stewart's 17th birthday (June 25, 1944), almost exactly 75 years ago today. It is a remarkable letter, and as I mention in the notes, written by a remarkably mature 17-year-old. 

Stewart graduated from Marshall High School on June 15, 1944 (see note under caption below), and I'm going to append his Commencement Program here:

This is an impressive program. One of the student speakers, John Wagner, was Stewart's best friend. He spoke on the topic, "Music as an Expression of the Emotions." I started seventh grade at Marshall the fall of 1944, so I just missed overlapping with my brother. I had only seventh and eighth grade there, and that was interrupted when my mother and I moved to Kentucky to be with dad while he was stationed at Camp Breckenridge, KY. My schooling during the 1945-46 school year  was sort of a mess - Marshall, Henderson, KY, Morganfield, KY, then back to Marshall! Then we moved to Anamosa, IA where I entered high school.
Note: Stewart seems to have been confused about the date of his graduation.  I quoted him earlier that it was "June 13th" but it was "June 15th."

                                                                                                          July 1, 1944

Dear Dad,

After saying goodbye to you[i] I waited at the gate until Hiawatha left. I then had quite a wait, because my train was about ten minutes late in leaving, leaving at 8:45 instead of 8:35. The train arrived in Loretto about 10:05. It stopped at several places for some time, otherwise it would not have taken so long, as it is only 23 miles from Minneapolis by rail. It then took me about twenty minutes to walk to Ihduhapi, about two miles.[ii]

The good weather we had enjoyed the first few days continued the last few, although it rained just as hard at Ihduhapi  as it did in Mnneapolis on Thursday night. We had a nice banquet on Friday night. Afterward, Ross Snyder, Julias Keiser, Kendrick Strong, Royal Gilman and Dr. Samuel Strong from Macalester College[iii] participated in a skit entitled Races of Mankind, in which  they showed the petty differences between men living in different nations of this planet which are made into important differences by men like Hitler, and also by many  in this country.

The war to some is progressing at an unheard of speed. But three top military leaders just said that there is a long road ahead in he fight for complete victory. We didn't have a strong base in France to start with in this war, and consequently it is taking longer, more casualties are being suffered on the fronts, the war is being fought on more fronts. and the civilian population is being allowed to have the fact of total war settle upon their consciousness. I will not say that they are being affected more adversely by war conditions, for comparison of this war with the last is unfair, considering  the greater amount of luxuries we had immediately prior to this war, and luxuries are bound to go when war comes, so we have lost a greater number of things, but even so, it has not touched as deeply. Price control has helped to some extent, and rationing has helped to distribute scarce goods more fairly than otherwise would have been done.[iv]

Because I do not think that the war with both Germany and Japan will be over before late in 1945, I want to get into a training program now.  But however, on the the other hand, I would rather enlist in a branch where I would be released within six months after the war's end. Even training for the Chaplain's Corps would be distasteful to me simply because it would entail such a long time in the Navy.  However, on the other hand, going to C.T.S. as a civilian before the war's end does not appeal to me either because that would mean deferment, and I believe that a short term in the armed forces would be a rare experience, one to be enjoyed, and one that cannot  be had by every person in the course of his life.[v]

                                                                                     Your loving son, Stewart

---

[i] This must refer to the short visit dad had at home on his way from Fort Lewis to Washington, D.C., and then on to England, and ultimately France. Stewart and dad must have left for the train station together, dad's train left first (named the Hiawatha) and then Stewart caught one to go to Camp Ihduhapi. 

[ii]  Camp Ihduhapi was a YMCA Camp located in suburban Minneapolis. It was founded about 1930 and is still in operation today. It isn't clear whether Stewart  was just starting camp, or was returning, but since this letter was written on a Saturday, and a few days have gone by since Stewart left dad, I'm guessing that he had been at camp, came home for the one day dad was able to be there, and then returned to camp late that night. That way he would know exactly where to go to his cabin, etc.

[iii] I immediately recognized one name out of this list: Ross Snyder, who was one of my professors at CTS, some 10-11 years later. I have also indentified Dr. Samuel M. Strong, who was a prominent sociologist at Macalester, and just before this camp was held, had published, "Observation on the Possibility of Attitude Modification: A Case of Nationality and Racial Group Interrelationships in Wartime," Social Forces, XXII/3 (March 1944). This article is a detailed description of a 3-day Festival of Nations held in St. Paul in 1943, which brought together people from almost 40 countries, including Germany and Italy, with whom the U.S. was at war. Every nation had a booth devoted to its culture, women from every nation prepared and served "favorite dishes" of that nation, there were performances of singing and dancing, thousands of people attended, etc.  It was Strong's conviction that this Festival  had a decisive impact on people's attitudes toward others they might otherwise have looked at with prejudice.  I looked around at other things Strong wrote, and I'll have to say, he was a very progressive thinker for his time.  Indeed, the theme of this skit is pretty progressive.

[iv] This is a pretty darned astute assessment of the war and its impact for a just-turned-seventeen-year-old!

[v] This paragraph reveals that Stewart was at least entertaining the idea of going to CTS and becoming a Navy chaplain! News to me! I wonder if dad had encouraged that idea, and if they might have even discussed it during their brief time together? It also reveals that he was eager for military service, but in that respect he was probably typical of the men of his age at that time.  But this letter also suggests that Stewart was remarkably mature for his age.

Sunday & Monday

Yesterday morning I went to church, then did a little grocery shopping, then met Ellen and Max at Mountain Days, finished off the uneaten portions of their lunches (chicken tenders and quesadillas), came back to the condo, worked on "Spelling Bee," watched part of a movie with E&M (Ocean 11 - 2001), had supper, watched end of Deepwater Horizon movie - 2016 (about the  2010 oil gusher in the Gulf),  got caught up in reading my blogs from 2010 (my extensive reflections on that Gulf oil gusher), which got me hooked on reading old blogs generally!

Today (Monday, the 24th) would have been Betsey's 61st birthday, and tomorrow (the 25th) would have been Stewart's 92nd! Miss you both so much!

Max is in a day camp in Jackson this week. Jenny took him this morning and brought him back. We'll be picking him up some days this week.  I slept late this morning, and stayed home when Ellen walked over to the house to do some work. I cleaned up, mopped the floor, took out trash, did errands (library, pharmacy, post office, store), did some research for Paul on the computer, went to the house and worked a bit sweeping up and putting hardware on Anderson windows, went to store again with Ellen (she needed my wallet), came back to condo, had supper, watched Men in Black movie (the original one-1997) with Max (all new to me), etc. (Those are the highlights!)  Whew! Sort of a crazy couple of days! I have a feeling it's going to be that kind of week.

One little slice of Mountain Days in Alpine

Letter #3

Here is Letter #3 in the Stewart series:
 

                                                                                                May 10, 1944

Dear Dad,

These sudden changes and  turns of events are keeping me on the jump as if it weren't enough that I will  graduate "before you can say Jack Robinson" and that the biggest invasion from the sea in history is imminent. But, however, a vague form is beginning to disentangle itself from the haze. Since your plans are uncertain and mine must be made definite soon, Mother and I think that I should decide to stay here, since surely I can find a place to stay, for we have many friends.[i]

 My job has given me valuable help in another way other than financial and intellectual: it has helped me to see more clearly the high value of chemistry. Since all entering engineering courses at the U must start in June, I would not be able to work full-time this summer, and I will need both the extra money and a rest from academic duties. 

Consequently, I shall register for a major in chemistry.[ii]

The first six weeks of this semester were unmarked for me until yesterday, because I was absent on the day report cards were issued. This is how they stack up:

                                    Per  1                                    Per. 2

English                          B                                          A

Mod. Prob.                     B                                         B

Trig.                               B                                         C

Physics                          A -                                       B -

Modern Problems and Trigonometry were both harder this semester than before. The C in Trig. was a mark which Miss Cockburn did not realize was so low, for she did not remember that the tests on which I received 30 and 38 were immediately after I was absent for several days and I was completely at a loss as how to solve the problems.  The second six weeks in Physics, we began electricity, and for one who is not very well acquainted, that is a hard subject.

                                                Page 2

Perhaps you can remember some of the commencements which you saw. The highest honor cards awarded are for 15 points. Since a straight A average equals 3.0 for one semester, and there are six semesters in senior high school, you can see that it is an honor. If I can earn an A in both English and Physics the last six weeks and, of course, get at least B's in the other two (but I'll try for A's), I will receive a 15 point honor card.[iii]

I must close this letter now but first, isn't it a coincidence that your birthday falls on Mother's Day this year. It probably makes each of you feel more related. I must hurry and go to choir practice now, and then I shall do some school work and go to bed. I have to keep my class schedule in mind all the time, but a certain amount of regimentation is a good thing for those unused to it.

Wishing you a very happy birthday, and hoping that we will see each other again soon.

                                                                                    Lovingly,   Stewart

                                                            Page 3

---

[i] This opening paragraph is bewildering. Clearly, there has been some communication between Stewart and dad that we don't have which involves some kind of plan to meet, or something. The most bewildering part is the reference to friends where he could stay. If he is saying "here" - i.e., Minneapolis - why would he need a place to stay?  He's at home!

[ii] This implies that Stewart was considering a major in Engineering, but if he did that, he would have to start classes in the summer, work part-time and lose income. So Chemistry instead. I hadn't realized before that he was considering a career in science.

[iii] I think the assumption behind all this is that he had been getting straight A's prior to this semester. He had to explain the low grades at the beginning of the semester and also reassure dad that he could still pull out an honor card.

Finishing touches

After supper this evening we went over to the new house to take Paul his supper and see what he has done. He has been working on hanging doors, putting in shelving and trim. I selected some areas where, if you frame the photo right, it looks pretty finished. These photos will give you a taste of what the house is going to be like.

This is the stairwell and pantry door, all nicely trimmed

This is the sink area of the powder room inside the front door

This is the master bath showing the newly installed glass shower doors

This is one section of the concrete counter-top which Paul made himself

Final soccer day

Today is the last day for the British Soccer camp. Featured today were country flags, and Ellen and Max made a chocolate sheet cake decorated like the Irish flag. There was competition for the smallest & largest flag, and for the baked goods flags, but they gave priority to cakes that were baked without parental help (Max only helped with the sprinkles), and one of the girls won. Max was disappointed not to win, but later, when they actually ate the cakes, our cake was very popular. Most of our (very large) cake got eaten (unlike most of the others). So while there was no formal competition, I think we were at least strong contenders in that category. 

All that was left

Max also participated in the "tell a joke" competition. His joke:  Knock-knock! Who's there? Interrupting cow! Interrup ........ Mooo!  

He didn't win that competition either.


It is quite chilly this morning - the car thermometer registered 37 degrees coming to camp! But the sun is strong, and with a jacket, it's fine. BUT - later I think that for the climax of the camp they'll bring in fire engines that spray the kids with the water hoses. Brrrrrr!

Max with Coach Josh

Coach Josh and Coach Niall address the troops

Water fight!

Getting doused!

I resolved a car question this morning. I called Brattleboro Subaru this morning and asked about the appointment I have there on July 29th to have work done on the valve springs - which is a Subaru recall and is done free of charge. My thinking was that doing that work and fixing the timing chain case oil leak involved very similar labor and might save me money. I was right. The service rep said it absolutely made sense to wait, and that it shouldn't be a problem if we kept the oil level up, which we are accustomed to doing anyway. So that is now the plan - we won't invest any more money in this car, hope it gets us home ok and have that  recall work done and then look into possibly getting a new car, or waiting until next June when we would have our next inspection and deciding then whether to buy a new car or put in a new catalytic converter.  Time will tell whether that's a good plan, but at least it's a plan!

This weekend we are going to begin packing and moving in earnest. O boy!

One last photo: Across the street from where we turned in to the soccer camp was this restaurant. We thought - only in Wyoming!

We haven't tried it!

Down time

Pretty quiet today - we took Max to soccer, came home, no internet, so Max played Solitaire and I rested. Very cool, breezy and windy today. Talked with John and learned it is warm, muggy and rainy in Vermont. Have to admit I'm glad we're here not there as far as weather is concerned!

Internet service at the condo has been turned off and switched to the new house. Not sure if that is permanent. We do shift into moving mode pretty soon, but not quite yet!

Happy Anniversary Day

Today was Ellen's  and my 14th wedding anniversary! It turned out to be quite a day.

The first thing that happened was that the salesman from Teton Motors Subaru finally called with a figure on what they would give us for our Impreza as a trade-in. $2200. But that was not the biggest news - they sold the car we were interested in!  I would have thought that he might have called me first before they sold it, to see if we were serious. But anyway, that all sort of pushed me over into waiting to buy a new car until we're back in Vermont. But it means we'll have to get that timer case gasket fixed.

We took Max to British soccer, and today was "Wacky Wednesday." Which means that everyone was encouraged to come wearing crazy costumes. The staff all dressed up and maybe a dozen or so of the kids did. Max did not. There were a few really creative costumes but skirts and wigs figured prominently.

Those in costumes lined up for "judging"

After the opening proceedings were over and Max had settled into the routine for the morning, Ellen and I walked to the Wagon Wheel restaurant for an "anniversary breakfast." It was Ellen's first breakfast, but my second one. Ellen got her favorite - sausage gravy on homefries - and pronounced them excellent. It's a pretty decent little cafe.

Wagon Wheel Cafe in Thayne

 When we got back to the soccer field, I spent a little time in the library checking email, and then we came home. Later, I ended up going with Max to the Alpine Library, where they were showing a film for kids - Mary Poppins Returns  - which freed Ellen to go to the house and put in some time helping Paul. Then after the film, we came back to the condo and by about 6:00pm everyone had re-gathered there and we all went to Melvins for an anniversary supper treat. It was a perfect evening for Melvins - really a lovely evening in a great setting.

Melvin's Brew Pub

The deck at Melvin's overlooks the Palisades Reservoir. Paul and Jenny's new house is on the opposite shore just a but to the right of the frame.

Ellen and Max coming back from exploring the shore

Later, back at the condo, we watched Spike Lee's BlackkKlansman.

The new condo owner is coming tomorrow to do an "inspection" - not sure why. Everyone is sort of "tidying up" a bit.