Maya cuddles with mommy after dinner. Maybe she did miss us a little after her Texas adventure. 

It was a little cozy getting 8 people aboard this 30ft racing boat but everyone had a great perch. Wade is an expert sailor and I have never been more impressed with anyone’s sailing skills. He took us on a tour of the harbor and then out to sea. The weather was perfect and the wind was great. Truly a fantastic experience. 

Today we were invited by good friends Eliza and Wade to Marblehead for a bit of sailing and dinner at the Corinthian Yacht Club. 

Maya returns from Austin Texas after visiting with Aunt Susan (Tigger) and Rose for a week. She had a great time but was also happy to be home having missed her puppy dearly. As I was collecting Maya at the airport, Jeanine was dropping Kyle off in Freeport, Maine where he is joining ten other kids and two councilors on a 2-week bike excursion which will end in Quebec. They will be camping out along the way pausing only for a three day community service project. 

Nicolai captured this baby robin venturing to the edge ot its nest. Earlier in the week, while pruning this shrub, I cut the branch holding the nest. Out tumbled the day old baby and hit the ground with a thud. I picked the little guy up and showed him to Jeanine and Nicolai who both decided it was a goner. I placed it back in the nest, where I found his sister still clinging to it and then placed the nest back in the shrub. In no time, Mom returned to the nest with food and both chicks have been thriving. 

Nicolai and I went on a one hour nature walk and captured this dragon fly. 

This morning Nala attended her first puppy training class. She was very well behaved and one of the more timid dogs. She thought this boy was very rude considering this was their first encounter. 

Nico makes friends in the garden. 

Mother and new daughter fast asleep on the couch. Maya has my coloring. I would say that Nala looks more like Jeanine. 

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Fort Collins, Colorado visiting with a vendor. The good news was that the meetings proved far more valuable than I had anticipated. The bad news was that I had no time for photography. I grabbed this shot of a dirt bike course just off the highway on the return to the airport. 

Niece Sophia practicing her kissing technique on my brother. 

A little something from the garden (actually taken a few days ago). The day flew by with no chances for photography. My summer soccer league started today and I had a game after work. It is an open division which means no age restrictions. I got 60 minutes of playing time (on sore legs from the Monadnock climb) against kids easily half my age on a very hot day. It is very satisfying when you beat the 18 year old kid guarding you after he has assumed anyone older than his father has got nothing he can’t handle. I am travelling on business for the next two days and may not post again till the end of the week. Maya is in Texas visiting her Aunt Susan and I am missing her every day. 

Not sure who was prouder, father or son. Either way, a day I will never forget. 

My hero.