Summer 2021

COVID-19 is *still* running rampant in parts of this country, and now there's a more contagious strain, the Delta Variant. We're learning that the virus spreads via shared air, so we are most vulnerable when inside near other people.

However, we managed a bit of a family reunion in July anyway. Airlines have stepped up their air filtering and ventilation to minimize the viral load and people are required to wear masks while traveling.

Family Gathering

Hikes

Wildlife Camera

Gaithersburg Trip

New Jersey Trip

Cedarpoint

Lisa

CA Grandkids -- aka Nayla and Olivia

NJ Grandkids -- aka Lily and Rose

Glen gets back in practice welding. He'd done some in High School.

The results of the welding project: an outside vent for the stove.

Blueberries in the front yard.

Apricots in the front yard.

a pair of fawns has been wandering through periodically.

We enjoyed fireworks from the Blatniks' driveway.

we got a few pluots from our trees this year.

Seckel pears!

Anne and Alan harvest plums.

Lisa gathered currants from the bush in front.

The raspberry patch is thriving and almost impenetrable.

The ford of Chippewa Creek in the Brecksville Reservation was flooded after heavy rain.

Bergamot in the park

Our neighbor Julie provides butterfly-attracting flowers.

Glen savors the apricots Sarah canned for him from Oscar & Glady's tree.

Glen surprised me with a decorative heron for the back yard.

The apple tree had quite a few apples this year.

Seckel pears.

Red pears.

A black rat snake decided to make him/herself comfortable on the front step.

It ended up tucking itself completely into this house cavity under the coat closet. Glen has since foamed in the opening to discourage further intrusions.

Pizza with Laurie and Rudy.

Inspired by Go Dog, Go's "Do you like my hat?", we had some fun on a zoom call. GreatGrandmother even got into the spirit with a Carmen-Miranda-esque pot of flowers.