A Little Late on the Draw...

Sorry for the extensive delay. As you can imagine (or maybe you know firsthand), we've been crazy busy for the past few weeks. I spent last week at the Shell Lake Arts Center for a Eugene Rousseau saxophone workshop - which was amazing-incredible-out-of-this-world-fantastic. Describing that would have to be an entire blog post of its own. Or you could just read the review that I was asked to write for the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA)! Wahooo, another publication in my field!

Eugene Rousseau with a rather surprised look on his face.

Julia Nolan and David Branter, both fantastic saxophonists who studied with E.R.

A view of the Wisconsin countryside.

Yes, I really WAS in Walleye Country.

While I was away, Mike and Violet spent a day or so in Idaho visiting some family. Unfortunately they were only able to stay a short time, so weren't able to see everyone. But they did get to visit Great Grandma Joanna and the farm near Marsing. They came home with several very large bales of hay and a new tractor for Violet, among other things.

A week-and-a-half ago, Mike and I finally hiked from Tony Grove up to Naomi Peak. The climb is a bit of a workout, but well worth the effort. Beautiful views all the way up and back down, and spectacular views from the top. As Naomi is the tallest peak in the Bear River Range, we got to see just about everything for a hundred or so miles in every direction, including our house!

View to the east from (almost) the top.

Kokanee and I on our way up.

Do you love to read? Do you want to get some books for a child you know? Would you like to help Violet's school get some free books? If so, please consider ordering a book or two (or more) from our school's Scholastic Book Club. It is the 21st century equivalent of those tissue-paper thin newsprint book order forms that you probably remember toting home from school when you were little. You can now go online and place an order (by August 31), and if you use the class activation code GLQ6H, Violet's school (The Sunshine Academy) will get free books! So think about who you know that needs some books. Baby shower? New baby of your own on the way? Birthday presents? Christmas presents? Donation to the local domestic violence/homeless shelter? No reason whatsoever?

OK, now that you have such a nice, long list of people who need books, go to Scholastic and place your order using class activation code GLQ6H! If you don't use that code, no one gets free books! Please order by August 31st, when the offer expires.

I'm putting together a book order for Violet, as well as for her cousin who has a birthday near hers, for some of our littlest friends for Christmas presents, and for several other people we know who are expecting children soon!

Finally, last weekend we had some of our favorite house guests, Phyllis, Shawn, and Gus. We love hanging out with them! They arrived Saturday morning, and we took an easy hike up Spring Creek. We then went to Bear Lake for some milkshakes, several of which were the famed "pie shakes". Yes, you guessed it, a "pie shake" has an entire slice of pie blended into it. As I recall, Phyllis had a pumpkin pie shake, Shawn had a pecan pie shake, Mike had a cherry pie shake, and I bumped the trend by getting a peanut butter chocolate chip shake. Yum.

After the shakes (and some more substantial lunch-ish food) we headed home. Shawn helped Mike set some fence posts (Thank you, Shawn!), and the four of us broke into the wine and beer cellar after Violet went to bed. Sunday morning revolved around breakfast at Angie's and a coffee stop before our friends headed north once again. They never seem to stay long enough, but we're always happy to see Phyllis, Shawn, and Gus! Thanks for visiting!

Violet and her favorite "whacking Daddy in the head" stick.

Violet is ready to move on after a snack break.

Phyllis and Shawn.

On our way up the canyon.

Utah State University classes start on August 30th and the garden is starting to produce a few things, so we are getting quite busy. Hopefully we'll be back on track with more frequent blog posts, but if not, please remind us gently to get back at it ASAP!