Spring 2018

Grandkids

Snow

Hikes

New Jersey - Denville

Anne's CA trip

Alan's HS Graduation

Early sign of Spring: Crocuses (Croci?) in the yard.

Rhubarb is sprouting. We have it scattered all over the yard.

Visitor at the front door.

The Tomcot Apricot tree is full of blossoms.

Siberian Squill - I finally looked up what these little bulbs are.

But there's still some snow remaining on the the ski slopes at Boston Mill.

Alan had a table at ArtFest at the HS. He sold a couple of his embroidered scarves. He also had several of his paintings on display. ArtFest is a showcase for the HS's art department.

Samples of Alan's embroidery: he also offered to do custom orders.

Alan's wares

Whimisical balloon scarf.

Alan and his teammates made the cover of the school newspaper.

The Academic Challenge Team with their trophy.

Alan's painting of his D&D group enjoying a peaceful campfire.

Lisa in the recovery room after successful surgery to remove the 5cm nodule on her thyroid. (5.5 on one side and 4.5 on the other)

Fortune provides moral support. Robyn accompanied Lisa for the out-patient surgery, and then Lisa stayed with the Simensons for several days while recuperating.

We got a major rainstorm in mid-April. Driving across Vaughn, it felt like the river was at eye level, although the road hadn't flooded (yet) and was still open.

Here's a view of the Cuyahoga River from the bridge at Boston Mills.

The river as seen from Riverview south of Snowville.

Chippewa Creek the following day.

The ford across Chippewa Creek was closed and debris showed that the water had been higher the day before. I took these pictures from the pedestrian bridge, and then had to get out of the way when a Brecksville maintenance vehicle (small pick-up truck) used it to cross the creek.

The river at Boston Mills.

Pictures taken 2 days apart at the kayak take-out point by Boston Mills.

'Our' creek was running high, too.

Amazingly, on April 28th there was still a bit of snow on the ski slopes in the park. They'd made a significant base that takes a long time to melt.

Alan earned a bronze medal for his performance on the National German Exam.

Alan sketched this D&D character, scanned his drawing, then colored and polished it on the computer.

photo shoot with sword

the BBHHS grad sign for Alan

plum and pluot blossoms.

The Academic Challenge Team had come in 2nd in regionals. With Westlake bowing out, BBHHS was invited to compete at the state level.

They left really early to head to Columbus for the competition. No, they didn't win, but they did win several of their matches, and got some neat experience.

Yay, the redbud tree decided to flower this year, for the first time.

I planted a variety of herbs in the pots by the front door.

grape hyacinth

Alan practicing his archery.

He can hit a target just fine.

Kitty and Steve visited us in May on their way east for a camping vacation. They kindly brought the kayak carcass with them.

Anne's dad built this kayak in the early 1940's and used it to go camping in Michigan. The canvas skin is obviously rotted away, but the 'bones' are beautiful. It will continue its journey east on our van to Jenny & David's home.

We made Cooper Pizza for Kitty & Steve, and Julia & Paul. Julia is a family connection through Holly Hlava's husband. They live in Lakewood. Kitty & Steve were staying with them.