Reese Nicole

OOO Baby

She's adorable, isn't she? Born July 8th to Dawn (Richard's sister) and Bob. We can't wait to see her in person.

Book Review: Harry Potter 6

Confessions

I freely admit it: I am an avid Harry Potter fan. From the day I heard TR Reed, London correspondant, on NPR raving about this new sensation of a book, I was hooked. I went to Barnes and Noble that day and requested this Harry Potter book. The attendant was not sure what I was wanting (imagine that!) and was wondering where I had heard about it, as several other people had been in that day with similar requests. I had to order the book. Once it was in my hot little hands, I devoured it. I loved it so much I read it to my 6th graders the next year -- Harry was the perfect age for them. At Christmas we finished the first year and they wanted more. We finished the second year by Summer and some of them had even asked for their own copies for Christmas. I found this remarkable as I knew most of them would only be getting one or two presents that year. Unfortunately, Harry Potter didn't go over quite as well in my next VERY CONSERVATIVE (might I add out-of-touch) Christian school.

Every time there is a new Harry Potter I have this tiny little fear that wells up: will it really still be good? Will JK Rowling still be able to carry the story, provide a twist I didn't see coming? The more the press promotes the book, the more cynical I become, yet there has not been a year in Harry's life that I haven't loved and been surprised by. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Price is no exception. I devoured the book in 48 hours (as is my habit) before which I turned an absolute deaf ear to the publicity surrounding the novel. I loved how there was almost no gap between the end of 5 and the beginning of 6. I was completely taken aback by the ending, although I did have the Half-Blood Prince figured out correctly. I have heard questions about the 7th book -- will it actually happen? I can only hope yes. I loved this book as Harry takes the final steps in growing into a man.

I give this book an "O" for Outstanding (see the scale for Ordinary Wizarding Levels or O.W.L.s)! Thanks for another fantastic summer read JK Rowling!

Hotter Than ...

It really is one of my worst Up North fears -- 2 solid weeks of temps in the 80s and 90s with no end in sight. We usually come up to the lake to cool off, get out of the beastly hot Indiana weather and relax in the cool breezes by the lake. It is for this reason that we have no air conditioning at the Lakehouse. Last summer we spent the days in jeans and sweatshirts. Golfing was pleasant and the idea of having to put on a bathing suit was blissfully absent -- yes, even in July. No such luck this summer. And only a trace of rain in the last few weeks. In attempting to cool off, we took the kids to the sandy part of the lake and went swimming (as much as they would). Now, in addition to being hot, I have a scorching sunburn on my belly -- the arms and chest are tanning nicely now. Ah, summer. The melted collage was certainly an omen. Perhaps returning home will not feel so bad. They keep saying there will be rain here soon -- we can hope, at least.

Harrison's Index -- Apologies to Harper's

• 200 - the number of minigolf holes played by Hayes since July 1
• $185.00 - price for 2 to charter fish on Lake Michigan -- kudos to Mom and Dad
• 64 - lbs. of salmon caught on aforementioned charter -- some grilled, some smoked!
• 81 - golf holes played by Harrisons since July 1
• 25 - minutes Josh and Richard played with fire in order to entertain the family with super fireworks display!
• 60 - minutes waited for lousy local fireworks in Frankfort, MI
• 1 - deer hit on the way to lousy fireworks display (sad, yes, but no damage to the people or the van thank heaven)
• 16 - number of boats in the 4th annual Long Lake July 4th Boat Parade (a fun and tacky tradition I hope continues for some time)
• 60 - number of guests at annual Long Lake Cookout following boat parade
• 4 - lbs. of pasta salad consumed at cookout
• 15 - minutes of rain experienced at said cookout
• 5 - total number of canoe trips this summer on the lake
• 8 - number of antique photographs purchase
• 2 - number of new collages completed since July 1
• 3 - number of books Amy has read since July 1
• 2 - new baby announcements: Congrats to Julie and Chris; Baby Reese arrived July 8 -- Congrats to Dawn and Bob!
• 1 - number of suitcases left by one funny sister upon departing the Lakehouse
• 3 - number of art projects Amy & Eleanor have completed together
• $2.50 - price per gallon of regular unleaded in Beulah, MI
• 1 - number of time-share weeks Amy wants to purchase in Hilton Head
• 2 - miles walked by Amy and Hayes to see beautiful Lake Michigan
• 5 - number of Superman icecream cones consumed by Hayes
• 24 - number of ice pops consumed by Hayes
• 1 - average number of cellular phone indicator bars displayed on phones in Honor, MI
• 1 - days of rain since July 1 (could you actually call it rain?)
• 4 - number of wild turkey sightings since July 1
• 230 - miles traveled locally
• 7 - number of scrapbook pages completed since July 1
• 0 - number of TV channels received at the Lakehouse
• 0 - internet accessibility
• 1 - NPR stations available in Honor, MI

Missing civilization and loving the seclusion!

Lesson Learned

I have been exhibiting at fairs this summer feeling more and more confident: about my products, my experience, my preparation, my interaction with other artists and patrons. Today I had a first. I work in several media and have only recently fallen in love with beeswax. I've been showing "Frank & Helen" as several fairs and they always get a lot of attention. The temperature at today's fair neared 90. When I finally realized what was happening, it was too late. The entire collage had peeled away from the canvas! Buttons and leaves were on the table where it was propped up and the postcards and photo were hanging in a gooey mess. So "Frank & Helen" will be attending only indoor shows from now on. I do believe the damage is repairable, this is the joy of working with beeswax -- you can simply melt things off and reapply them if you don't like it. What an adventure. On the upside, my 2 most expensive pieces have found homes with people who absolutely adored them. Special thanks to Amy K who was the muse who helped my finish "Wounded Soldier."

Spamalot Alot

Confessions

Richard has introduced me to the Spamalot soundtrack. For those of you still unfamiliar with it, it's the new smash hit on Broadway -- Monty Python's Holy Grail set to music starring Tim Curry (of the Rocky Horror Picture Show), Hank Azaria (or the Simpsons and The Bird Cage) and David Hyde Pierce (of Frazier). It won Best Musical at the Tony's this year.

I must admit I have never been a huge fan of Monty Python. I think I just wasn't jaded enough to appreciate it back in college. Or perhaps I felt as if actually enjoying it would be too sinful. Whatever the case may be, I have become obsessed with listening to this soundtrack. I even choose to listen to it over NPR -- that, my friends, is a strong persuasion! Naturally, Hayes is in the van with me most times I have it on.

Last night as we were putting Hayes to bed I was humming a bit of "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life." I stopped, mid-measure and Hayes immediately took up the tune. He didn't miss a beat. I asked him what his favorite song is. He thought long and hard about it and then said, "I'm Not Dead Yet." Richard and I both chuckled and said, "Great choice!"

We have to go and see this show. I just must see the "His Name Is Lancelot" number in person. Hank Azaria is on of my favorite actors. I can't get enough of him in The Bird Cage.

Uncle Pepper Bunny

Confessions

As Hayes gets older he is growing more and more attached to his toys. And he has the memory of an elephant. Every time I sneak one of those Happy Meal toys into the trash he is suddenly searching high and low looking for exactly that one. How does he know?

He has recently become attached to his Good Night Moon stuffed bunny. It was a gift for him from Aunt Trish and Uncle Richard when he was a baby. It's been hanging around in his room for about three years now. Suddenly this is the comfort object. Christopher Bear has been removed from the place of honor and now the bunny is in his place. I asked Hayes what he thought we should name this rabbit. He immediately suggested Christopher Rabbit. Since this is also Hayes's first name, I thought it might be a little too confusing for mommy to keep all the Christophers straight. We thought about it and talked about his coloring (light gray) and his pjs (striped). Suddenly Hayes popped out with, "What about Uncle Pepper Bunny?!"

What an amazing kid. I can only assume that he suggested the "Uncle" title as a tribute to his Uncle Chris (the Christopher for whom he is named). He's no dummy -- he'll slip that Christopher in one way or another. So Uncle Pepper Bunny is headed to Hilton Head with us this week. We'll see if he can pass muster the way our beloved Christopher Bear has this year. You never can tell with Hayes.

Swim Lessons, part II

Confessions

We are going to our last lesson this morning. Too bad they don't have another week; we might just be able to get Hayes to do the swimming thing. Much is improved: he will grab onto the instructor (around the neck) to get into the pool, gradually ease into the water enough to hold the noodle and kick. He still is quite averse to getting his head and hair wet, nothing we can do about that. The weather has been much better for him this week too -- the mid 80s. Good thing we are headed to South Carolina tomorrow. There will be LOTS of water for him to practice in! Glad we hung in there.