Well, school has started; Industry Appreciation Day has come and gone; I picked the goose berries; Labor Day has past and it’s the middle of September. Summer is winding down.
It has been a quiet one for us. We didn’t go to Idaho this year. A lot of other things got in the way until it was finally too late. I missed seeing the families, but not the heat and the bugs. Some young cousins came by on their way through the area experiencing the first taste of retirement and travel. It was fun to meet them, and catch up on a branch of the family we don’t see much of anymore. They arrived about the same time as our kids on their annual fishing sojourn, so they got the full family picture. And they also stopped in to visit my Palmer sister, so they have lots of news and stories for the family in Oregon.
We gained two new great-grandchildren in 2024. I’m sure I have mentioned that at least once before. We had the pleasure of watching them turn into kids this summer. Both are walking. G-g-daughter took her first unsupported steps in our living room, egged on by G-G-pa waving a treat. She runs full tilt now, hardly stopping all day. Her cousin just looks on. He was walking early and is past the running for running’s sake now, and has definite business in mind when he takes off. Next comes talking. They jabber a lot to each other and to everyone already, so it won’t be long. I haven’t told their mothers from that point on things are never the same.
It had been almost as much fun to watch the mothers, granddaughters (sisters) #5 and #7, become full-fledged mothers. One is fairly laid back, and her babe reflects that in his easy-going demeanor. Friendly and curious, raring to go. The other mom is a little more hovering. Her babe is a little watchful and demanding, but still a good baby. Her aunt baby-sits her, so she gets her benign-neglect fix during the work week. She’ll be OK.
I mentioned our kids were here on their annual fishing trip thinly veiled as a birthday party for Hubby. And they accomplished both. They fished both the Kasilof and the Kenai Rivers with success, as did everyone who put a line in there this year, I hear. They also had a day at Ninilchik at Salmonfest. Very crowded but very fun, they reported. The birthday party was a little more subdued than usual, but I attribute that to the fact everyone is a little bit older.
Five of the seven granddaughters were present off and on, something that doesn’t happen often. We’ve never had all seven together because two of them live outside and are busy with their own lives these days, but that may happen someday. And we got to spend some time with Granddaughter #6’s S/O. He fits in well: a mining engineer, as is her dad, and willing to sit and chat with the old people. And he can carry on a conversation that makes sense, besides not being afraid to state his own opinions and ideas. He works remote a good part of the time, so in the past we have only got to say “Hi, How are you” as he trekked off to another mining adventure. We told her he’s a keeper! She grinned like “as if it makes a real difference.” But she did bring him along, and stayed long enough for us to have an opinion.
Everyone comments that it’s been a good summer and I would agree. There were some days I was afraid it was going to rain forever, but generally, as Kenai summers go, it’s been a good one. But now, we are losing nearly six minutes of daylight every day; the leaves are turning yellow, and they are advertising pumpkin spice at Starbucks. #1 son, up north, reported that the cranes are flying,
In times past, this time of the year would be celebrated as the Harvest, taken very seriously as the time to prepare for the coming winter. We are luckier these days that we only need to prepare for the upcoming football season and the chaotic winter holidays. The fall equinox in in 10 days or so. I think summer is over.
