Dog days of summer. Woof.

Thanks for the great entries from Matt recently. Maybe we should have a gathering there in Nova Scotia sometime. How much was the house you rented? Your photos were wonderful, and I am getting used to the new look of your pared pate. You are looking good, though, with your outstanding (?) jawline, and great brow. You remind me of someone. A cross between Jeremy Bowen and my dad maybe. And a little Brig thrown in, too. Isn't it nice to have someone describe you through a patchwork of other people? The picture of you and the other cosmonauts (I guess that would be argonauts) is impressive. The few, the proud, the orange. Send it in to your local paper and tell them you were in N.Sc. for some special training prior to your inner seaspace expedition. Or maybe " Local men make the cut for the next Star Trek movie: Star Trek 14, Beyond the Sea - Whales, Tails and Nightingales. Okay, that didn't work. So sue me.
My trip to Ireland is a distant memory now, but it was fabulous while it lasted. A week of being very busy with lectures and three recitals a day plus a major concert every night at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, with very little down time or even time to eat. My dorm room was almost a mile away from the venues, so I walked int every morning prepared to spend the day, then hop the bus to the concert hall. Let me say this about the food at the cafeteria on campus - worse than any elementary or high school cafeteria. Luckily, I didn't sign up or pay for more than one meal a day there, and even then, I passed on two of those. I did take a bus in one early evening with a couple of women (sisters) from Illinois and we found some good food by St. Stephen's Green, then we just walked to the concert hall. Most of the music performed was great, but we heard some new music, very avant garde, where the performers did what would amount to instrument abuse, using the harp to make horrible sounds, literally striking the harp, doing everything but smash the poor thing at the end. Some of these new composers are trying way too hard to be original. I can appreciate abstract art, but give me something in the way of form, or at least take the music somewhere. Groans and whimpers and sounds of torture coming from the harp just don't do it for me. There was a fantastic Brazilian jazz harpist the last night, and along with a very fine Paraguayan harpist that same night, it was an amazing concert. The Braz. harpist came out in a black dress that had a long sort of train in the back, but not glitzy or fancy, and she had bare feet and played bossa nova, Jobim, blues, etc.
I took the bus over to Cork on Saturday, then a minivan to Sue's place, arriving around 5:00 p.m. where I was greeted by Sue and Erik. Jonathan was in Londond for a few days, but arrived on Monday. We had some great discussions and lots of laughter. Jonathan can make up a song at the drop of a hat, or rather a word. We left Sue's little haven on Tuesday to take Erik to the Shannon airport, then toured with Jonathan until Thurs., when he was to fly out. We had a great time at pubs, especially in Doolin, where the music was wonderful, all local musicians, and the food was good. We took a boat out to the Aran Islands the next morning, and enjoyed the beautiful island of Inisheen, seeing much of it by horse and cart. We had read that there was a beach there that was considered one of the most beautiful anywhere on the western seaboard. We got there, and had to laugh, because it amounted to about a 50 yard stretch of gray sand. They are very proud of their "beautiful, tropical beach" nonetheless. Lots of music in the restaurants and pubs, lots of interesting faces, and really lovely people. They call us darlin' and luv, etc. They were always surprised to learn that Sue lives in Ireland, and isn't an American tourist. She is always such good company and so good and friendly with people.
Hey, this is way too long. Sorry. Anyway, Sue and I had one day on our own before I left on Friday. Had a great bird experience outside Bunratty Castle, while we were eating in a restaurant overlooking the castle. It was dusk, and we looked out from our table by the window and say hundreds of birds flying in a swirl formation, around and around, sometimes turning and bumping into each other. But, oh, it was spectacular and went on for about ten minutes, when they settled in the silhouetted trees and the top of the castle walls. It was like a blessing for my last night in Ireland.
Of course, the fun just continued after I returned home, because Annie and the kids were here and we had some great times together: Went to Annie Get Your Gun (everyone), Kismet (Annie, Greg, Chris and your dad and I. Wonderful.), bowling for Sam's birthday, with his favorite birthday food: hot dogs, french fries and fruit (ah, the simple delights. It will be in later years that he will ask for duck with juniper berry and honey/quince glaze with baby beets and artichoke hearts with cranberry/wasabi coulis. We did discover a new restaurant here in Logan The Painted Table, which has a wonderful chef who loves to create unique and delicious things and we managed to eat there (Don't tell anyone, but I have been there four times. I took Erin Betz there on Friday for a little getaway and chat. She started her radiation and chemo treatments last week and has five weeks to go, five days a week. She had to give up her job and apartment in SLC and move home for the foreseeable future. She is amazing, though, and such a good person. She loves everyone and accepts everyone. A good heart in that woman. But her tumors are malignant, and they said they don't know if treatment will work, and that they will likely come back at some time even if they can reduce them. Such a horrible prospect. She says she has had some emotional meltdowns, but, my word, that is only natural, and she has a great attitude.She told me to tell Matt and Nancy hi, since she remembers you better.
We attended the great Kay Webber/Brockbank Education Fund walkathon on the 13th. Such a great event, with so many cousins and second cousins, etc. and a few friends of Kay and Bob as well. I know Kay was pleased with all the discussion and chatter, which she loved herself. Lots of good feelings and memories and goodwill. 
Oh, I forgot to mention the exciting news of Nancy and Dave's engagement. It was so sweet. We were standing around the kitchen late at night (Annie, Dad, me, and N and D) and Davd said, "Sooooooo. Nancy and I are thinking of eloping." Only on eloping, the inflection went up, like he was asking a question. Which he wasn't, just asking for our blessing. We are so happy for them, and they are so good to each other and for each other. Happiness. It's a good thing.
Well, that's the good and the bad of it here in our little valley. Fall is coming, and as you know,
it is my favorite time of year. Susie has invited Nancy T and me to PG (Pacific Grova Scotia) which she has rented the last of September, first of October. So now I have that essential "thing to look forward to that keeps me going. Why does it always involve travel outside of northern Utah? Your dad and I are starting to think about where we want to live when he (and I) retire. And we aren't sure we will stay here. In fact, I don't expect to stay here.
Love you all, dear ones.