Massachusetts (2)

8/23 We got up early this AM to drive back to Larry and Jacky’s to have pancakes for breakfast. Then Larry and I took Mom to the Eric Carle Museum because he was going to be there for a book signing. We dropped her off at 10AM so that she could get in line for the 11AM opening.  This is a picture of one of the museum cars and also of the people wating in line to get in.  Mom was sitting on the curb to the right (but cant see her, of course, because she took this picture!!)

Here is Mom with Eric Carle while he signs her books.

This picture shows Eric Carle with a new color crayon specifically made for him by Crayola.  The color is "Very Hungary Catapiller."

While Mom was as the museum, Larry and I went to the Loose Goose and he and I made muffins and biscuits for the next day. We had a good time.  Later, we picked Mom up about 2:30 – there were still A LOT of people there, even a couple of ladies who had driven up from NJ (go figure!!). Mom had a fantastic time.
We then went to Home Depot and picked up some 2x6x15’s and a 2x6x12 to replace the rotted ones on their deck. We also got some sealer and a sprayer to reseal the deck.  (I guess Larry thinks I am going to help him with this job!!).

On Sunday 8/30, Larry had several catering jobs even though they were closed. I helped him make about 30 sandwiches for one order which we delivered in the afternoon. In the evening he was to deliver a total of 384 hot cookies to Amherst College. at 7, 8 and 9:00 PM for their social for incoming freshmen. So we spent the better part of the evening baking three batches of 128 cookies and boxing and delivering them.

On Thursday Sept 3rd, Larry and Jacky and crew made 800 sandwiches for the UMass returning RA’s (resident assistants). They order sandwiches every year for the RA meeting on the Friday before school starts. It’s quite a feat to put all of that together (which includes a pickle, a cookie, chips and a drink plus the condiments).  Here are a few pictures of the work in progress:

The above picture is of Mike and Nancy (Jacky's parents) taking a much needed break - they helped in getting the pickles and chips ready for delivery.

On Friday after they had made the deliveries of sandwiches, Jacky took Hannah to the Muddy Brook Farm so that she could help with getting the horses ready for transport to the 3-county fair being held in Northhampton this weekend. The four of us later drove over to Northhampton for dinner at Joe’s Café (small, old established Italian restaurant) for dinner then went over to the fair to get Hannah.

9/5 We met at Larry & Jacky’s and then drove to the fair to watch the horse show which started at 9AM. Hannah was in several events and got 3rd place in one of them.

Two girls’ horses stumbled/fell going over one of the jumps – one injured her ankle and had to be taken to the hospital for x-rays. Hannah’s horse, Bubbles, stopped in front of the same jump and she fell off, but got right back up again and wasn’t hurt fortunately. Something was wrong at the jump, but no one could figure it out.  This picture shows all the participants lined up for the judge's results:

On Sunday afternoon we drove up to Mount Sugarloaf (about 20 miles away) which is at the edge of a mountain and overlooks the valley below.  The day was perfect as you can see by the pictures.

This is the Connecticut River.

One afternoon, Mom and I took a walk up the street from the Loose Goose.  Here are some pictures of a mural on the back wall of the strip mall complex that the Loose Goose is in.  The mural goes from right to left in the pictures.

 

Behind these buildings is the Amherst Cemetary.  We walked around and looked at the grave sites.  Many were from the early 1800's.  We found this one of Emily Dickinson:

Some of you have asked how we get our mail since we are on the road all the time.  We are using Julie and Ken's address in Anna as our home address and then periodically, Julie will send us whatever has been delivered.  Thought you might enjoy how she does it!!!!

 
                                LOOK AT ALL THOSE STAMPS  -- WAY TO GO, JULIE!!!