147/365 - Back After Lunch

 We originally stopped by Stan Hywet Gardens as a "time filler". We had an hour to pass the time before meeting an old friend for lunch.

 We had passed a sign on the freeway for the gardens and decided to drive over and take a walk around the grounds.  We had no idea we would find so much beauty to appreciate.

 I took these pictures as we rushed back to the car to head to lunch.

But don't worry, I'm not done with the garden pictures yet. We liked it so much we came back after lunch!

146/365 Garden Buzz

 Just a collection of bees...

 Buzzing around

 ...and collecting pollen

 ...to redistribute...

...at Stan Hywet Gardens

145/365-A Closer Look

 Welcome to the English Garden at Stan Hywet Gardens currently maintained by the Akron Garden Club

With its beautiful secluded courtyard feel, one can't help but soak in the serenity...

The Garden of the Water Goddess. as this statue is named, sits watching over the serene reflecting pool.

144/3655- Into the Garden

We spent our last day in Ohio roaming around 

Stan Hywat Hall and Gardens

 (where Grace was banished by her parents)

Final Friday Fiction - A Letter Home

 My Dearest Sister,

I have arrived at the estate and it is everything you said it was. The stately brick castle with its towering chimneys is almost regal. I have strolled through the flowers with the humming bees as my only companions. Although banished here by Mother and Father, the beautiful grounds are a perfect distraction from the sorrow I feel in missing my beloved Charles. I feel as if my heart is breaking, but you said, and I reluctantly agree, if this love was meant to be it will be.

I had the romantic notion that, even at the young age of 14, Mother and Father would be thrilled I had found love. Little did I know, instead of acceptance, they would be inclined to send me to Aunt Belle's beautiful estate in Ohio for the summer.

 

They say we are too young for such a serious relationship, and perhaps a summer away will put a damper on our love.

Although now I do what pleases our parents,  I know in my heart Charles and I will find each other again when the cool winds of Autumn arrive.  

For now,  I will explore Aunt Belle's estate and accept her hospitality. She is such a cheerful soul and it is hard not to smile when she is around.

I look forward to the day when I return to our home and see you and my beloved again.

Your Loving Sister,

Grace

Approx 242 words

From Page 87 of Robert Heinlein's 

Stranger in a Strange Land

8)But you said

12) romantic notions

16)now I do what pleases

Making Memories

 Lots of imagination...

 Little girls, showing off wrapping paper tutus,  practicing ballet and acting all grown up...

 Grown ups, showing their inner child, wearing kitty ears and meowing

 The wonder of catching your first frog...

 

 ....and releasing it back to the wild

 The excitement of bonfire....

 and enjoying your first sparkler

Amazing...and exhausting!!

Needless to say, we had a wonderful time in Ohio as we always do when visiting family. 

FYI, Ed has 4 siblings, all married, and we have 6 nephews and 4 nieces( One couple with 6 children, another with 4). We were blessed to see and visit with them all during the week we were there.

Thanks so much for tagging along!

Hanging Out with the Kids

 Because of the heat, we spent a couple of days playing games and catching up indoors....

  This led to a few bored littles....

 Bored children led to some fun "hairdos" for many of the adults!

 and a few colorful kid hairstyles too!

 

Helping to make colorful memories ;-)

Family Fun at Cedar Point!

Every two years our family (on my husband's side) makes a way to spend a week together. This year we all gathered in Ohio for a fun filled week.

The next couple of days I'll be posting some family time pictures. These are more for me to look back and smile at the fun we spent and may read like a family vacation slide show. So feel free to read on or come back on Friday 

for Final Friday Fiction, either way my feelings won't be hurt :-)

 We piled 7 adults and 8 children into 3 cars and made a trek to Cedar Point, an amusement park about two hours north.

 We had intermittent showers, but were happy for them...it was in the high 90's(30'sC) with humidity at 200%(or at least it seemed that high)!

 We slathered up with sunscreen put on our hats and braved the elements!

 Believe it or not, the two boys on the left...and the young man on the right had never been on a roller coaster before! Here they getting ready to stand in line for one of the biggest coasters in the park, The Raptor!

 Almost there!!

 ...and away they go!

 Needless to say, this wasn't the last roller coaster they went on that day!

 

The curves and reflection caught my eye in this shot

(along with the flowers of course)

 The look on my niece's face says it all, don't you think??

 Sno-cones as big as her head!!

 We spent most of the day with the "littles" enjoying Camp Snoopy's children's rides...

Watching them having a good time and being part of a memory they will carry with them was a true blessing....

Of course, being a part of my husband's fun, wild and crazy family is even a bigger blessing!!

143/365 The Stormy Skies

 After my short(45 minutes) uneventful flight from our small airport to San Francisco, I had time to run from one gate to another before catching my flight across country. 

  With all the warmer, humid weather in the middle of the country, I had the chance to catch some wonderful cloud formations!

 I've always enjoyed watching the clouds while flying...

 It helps the time fly by.....

 Unfortunately, the final leg of my flight was delayed because of all the weather...

 The upside?? More stormy cloud formations on my final trek into Columbus(Ohio).

 This storm moved in as we were landing....

Leaving us on the tarmac for a bit until the lightning passed....