The Garden Blooms

Hydrangeas:

 Variegated lace cap.

Trip to Duke's Funeral

The three sisters in Duke's house.

At the Jersey Shore.  Carlson's corner was where Nanny let them go get root beer floats at 10pm as kids.

Two iconic pictures.

At the funeral home - the cousin picture (and some of their children).  Following the funeral home, we attended mass at a nearby church.

The burial was at a veteran's cemetery 40 minutes from the church.  Joe was only in the army for 4 years, but he got full military honors; taps, carefully folded flag; and thanks from the president and a grateful nation:

Generally, after "Taps" is sounded, the flag is folded and presented to the appropriate family member.

Stand facing the flag recipient and hold the folded flag waist-high with the straight edge facing the recipient.
Kneel, on one knee, in front of the flag recipient and solemnly present the flag to the recipient.
Present the flag using the veteran's Service preferred wording:

Army:
On behalf of the President of the United States and the people of a grateful nation, may I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service your loved one rendered this nation.

A distant shot of the ceremonial area.

Approaching the casket.

After another 40 minute drive, we are at Toni's house which had been hit hard by the storm Sandy.

Her kitchen.

Her living room.

Table gets taller

When I made the girls' work table, I made three sets of ever-longer legs.  Cecilia said it was time for larger chairs, so, I swapped out the shortest set of legs for the middle-sized ones.  Before and after pictures:

Margaret's boys have a similar table.

First Swimming Lesson

Last night was the first of the girls' twice-per-week swimming lessons.  This is the pool at our local YMCA - the same place where I play tennis.

Here is their teacher, and the rest of the class.

Hanging on to the side of the pool.

Practice floating.