The Rayfield Rambles: August

August has plugged along in a hot, sticky slog.

Kieran bumped up his running and Kevin and I started encouraging this kid to get back in the mix as well:

One morning the boys and I met some friends at a nearby State Park and explored it for a while.

Mayo River State Park.

It's about twenty minutes away, and a breath of fresh air.

We're hoping we can take Kevin up there at some point.

Lots of loafing has been done by the pups.

And lots of snacking on unripe apples by one dog.

So not good for his tummy, but he doesn't care.

Hockey started back finally.

And it was time for another round of haircuts.

More hockey was watched.

We had a couple of weeks with low fronts stalling over us, giving us some soaking downpours.

Like 4-5 inches of rain in under an hour.

During one of those we had water back up & come in Kevin's garage and the basement.

We've got someone coming to repair the drainage by the garage, the mess is cleaned up, and once things are repaired outside, we'll get things put back in place inside.

It took a while, but (most of) the yard dried enough to get mowed.

This girl heard that the boys might be headed back to school in a few days.

With the chance of school and sports resuming, Kieran stepped up his running and Keenan did as well.

I love this picture.

In our state, because of the governor's restrictions, most public schools are remote only right now. Charter schools can operate on a hybrid model. Thankfully our school decided to re-open for in person learning.

Hallelujah.

Daily health screenings, face coverings, extra safety precautions, and no visitors on campus are requirements for now, but boys are thrilled to get back to school.

Thrilled (don't let their expressions fool you. This is the "obligatory mom take the photo" face.).

Kieran's driving them to school every day.

I'm trying to get used to my reduced role. It's a bit odd.

Our apples are nice and ripe. We started picking them last weekend, this weekend, and probably have another round to go.

This is after our first round.

Once again, Flopsy made her opinion of the boys return to school known.

She does this every year.

I've been cleaning the house, and spending more time out in the garden.

(Lots of picking up apples off the ground before Hobbes eats them. Lots.)

The other morning as I was weeding the garden I noticed this fella:

A few texts to my sister, and a search online confirmed that it was a tomato hornworm, and a VERY hungry caterpillar. He had already gone to town on one branch of Kevin's pepper plant. One of my neighbors happened to be outside and took the caterpillar home for her kids to use as a science project. If he makes it into a giant month they will release it, if not he'll get fed to the chickens.

I found one more friend on a nearby plant, and after showing it to the boys, we relocated it to the opposite end of our yard.

Practice started back for Kieran, and a few days later Keenan started back as well.

The other afternoon the coach tapped him to help lead the post practice stretches.

He was thrilled. ;)

Most of the summer the boys have been taking turns helping Flopsy with her annual skin infection/irritation due to the heat and humidity. Twice a week she gets a medicated soak along her belly & armpits. We call it her undercarriage soak and have found the best way to get her to cooperate is to smear some peanut butter on the wall of our shower. Then she can stay put for the five minutes needed for her medicated shampoo to work before it's rinsed off.

Yesterday Hobbes was inside while she got started on her soak, so he followed her into the bathroom. That left Loch in the kitchen with me and an empty jar of peanut butter.

So he got first dibs on cleaning out the jar. What a happy fella.

Eventually Hobbes got bored waiting in the bathroom for Flopsy, and he joined us. So Loch gave him the jar (and I gave Loch the lid).

The Queen Bee finally got finished and came to join us as well..... and promptly commandeered the jar.