. . . yes, summer continues after the 4th, but the heat and humidity pretty much keep me under the A/C until the end of August while dreams of Pickle Lake coolness dance in my head.

[There comes a time when you have to release them back into the world again. On July 7, Tom and Celia left to return to Purdue with strict instructions to get advanced degrees and to save mankind from itself. Jami and Danny drove out with them as far as the Cities where they spent the night with Aunt Karen and Uncle Cam and turned into prunes floating in the backyard swimming pool. (Bonus coverage of the Supervisor’s handy work.)]

[This is our nude sunbathing deck, available for rent by the hour. Rates depend on the season, of course.]

Later . . .

[A star-studded performance at Theatre L’Homme Dieu that drew raves from us and everyone we talked to!]

And then on the 8th . . .

[Drove through the golf club – the 100th anniversary celebration is this Friday.]

[Drove by one of the Super’s all-time favorite lake cottages.  Half of the property was sold; half of the cabin had to come down.]

[And ultimately to the Arrowwood deck for a musical interlude with Professor Miltich.]

The 9th . . .

[Souvenir Jefferson High School brick? Here’s the poop, the whole poop, and nothing but the poop. There were unsubstantiated rumors (spread mostly by the likes of me) that they were available at the demolition site. I was thus receiving inquiries from alumni from around the known inhabited world regarding such. After extensive time-consuming research, I went to the site on this morning. Took the following pictures. But did not notice an available brick pile? So, we paid a visit to Orb corporate headquarters, where we were given an on-site contact. We checked with him and . . . yes, if you enter from the Lake Street side (the penultimate photo), east of the school, you will reach an open gate. Despite the No Trespassing sign, you can enter that gate and there is a pile of available bricks outside the next perimeter fence. You’re welcome. (Oh, the last photo is our first venture through the part of Kenwood Street that now goes through what was the Washington School playground).]

Later, SAWA’s 9th birthday, with Components . . .

[C’mon in folks, the water’s fine!]

The 11th . . .

[The weekend, so far, in Amazon Basin weather. The Salty Dogs at the winery; Anthony Miltich at Bug-A-Boo-Bay; the kids at their internationally-renowned, Harn (house barn), up North; and . . . ]

The 12th . . .

[Josie Nelson at the winery; and me, home early from Josie due to weather induced nausea.  Not a fan of weather where you sit outside in a puddle of your own sweat and then go home to remove your clothing with a paint scraper.]

Later . . .

[Despite initial concerns expressed by my identical twin brother, we did indeed end the weekend with Tunesy Day! Sunday was officially Orrin Foslien Day in Alexandria as he received the Excellence in Service Award from the National Association of Music Merchants at Carlson Music Center.  Emceed by her honor, Sarah Carlson, Alexandria’s mayor, and Ron Carlson, proprietor; and interviewed by Dennis Anhalt, Alexandria celebrity, thousands of Tunsey’s friends and relatives enjoyed the show . . . ]

[Tunesy and I at the winery in 2005.  Because we were both educated in Alexandria, we concurred that must have been about 10 years ago.

And then the big time storm hit in the midst of a multi-hour tornado warning . . .

[The final four after storm photos were posted by blog staff on Facebook, in chronological order, Al Grundei, Scott Keehn, Jay Kulp, and Diane O’Brien.  Great job, staff!]

Finally . . .

[“2 Sugars, Room for Cream,” if you’re in the mood for a lot of laughs. Shanan Custer and Carolyn Pool were a hoot . . . and so talented they admitted to ad libbing about 25 per cent of last night’s (July 14) show.  Thanks to staff photographer Sara Schwabe for the last photo at the apres party with the entire cast, 2nd and 3rd from the left, front row.]

There is a kind of beauty in imperfection.  ~  Conrad Hall

Up next:  Getting closer to the next vacation.