It’s Fourth of July weekend, or, as I call it, Exploding Christmas. ~ Stephen Colbert

[Sister-in-law Karen went to Cuba.  Had an emergency appendectomy.  Good thing Cuba has a good health care system!]

[Looking forward to this . . . ]

[Looking forward to this, too!]

June 26

[‘Tis the season.]

June 28

[Just a beautiful June day in a beautiful June.]

June 29

[Happy Anniversary to “the kids”! It was Number 14/15 (14 for marriage, 15 for first date)! I believe 14/15 is potato salad?]

[On their way to Arrowwood to celebrate with friends . . . and with Anthony.]

[Meanwhile, their intrepid parental units went off for Wednesday night fine dining at the AGC . . . stopping along the way to check the progress on the Big Guy.]

[At the club after dinner with Minnesota Golf Hall of Famer, Lisa Grimes. There will be a ceremony for her at the Resorters this year. I’ve never confessed to Lisa that I used to “steal” lessons from her. Whenever we got to the 9th tee and Lisa was teaching on the practice range, I would just keep her swing tempo in my head and play great for about the next 8 holes – such things, unfortunately, are always fleeting.]

[Then on the way to Arrowwood to join keep an eye on the kids and listen to Anthony, we had to momentarily stop traffic at the busiest turtle crossing in the area – on Arrowwood Drive at the curve around  Hole No. 1 at Atikwa – to carry this young lady or gentleman across the street.  Why did the turtle cross the road – we suspect the result of some sort of affair.]

[Arrived at Arrowwood . . . and yet another gorgeous day!]

[Passing through the pool area on the way to the deck . . . ]

[Running into Anthony, who was on a set break . . . ]

[HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!]

[Joined Deb and  Paul Trumm a couple of tables away – but immediately adjacent to Anthony.]

[Ain’t we got fun?]

[Arrowwood is a major summer employer of graduated Cardinal athletes.  I recognized our server as “K2,” Kalley Bistodeau, from the class of ’15.  I told her I missed her dad at the games.]

[Anthony . . . ]

[An anniversary request from you know who . . . ]

[Well, I always show the road in winter . . . ]

June 30

[The class of ’65 had its monthly fine dining experience at Arrowwood today. We find it’s easier to eat with a group because . . . you can share the teeth?]

[Central Junior High, from whence we all matriculated to Jefferson Senior High . . . ]

[And we discussed happier times.]

[Just a note to assure all that the duck house (the new and improved model) is alive and well at its usual spot in Noonan’s Park. We have it on good authority, however, the several ducks moved to Urbank during the transition period.]

[And then I was back at Arrowwood for the third time in 24 hours.  We had our Lake Darling Annual Association meeting there, and afterwards went out to the deck to enjoy King Louis and ’57 Chevy.]

July 1

Rest in Peace, Mr. Mayor . . .

Jami said it best for all of us, “The hearts in this household are with you all.” I’ll always remember the first time I met Mayor Dan Ness. I asked if I should address him as “Your Honor.” He replied, “I prefer Your Worship.” How could you not like that?