Alex and I built the form for the last part of the auxiliary storage area roof while Katy and Chree shoveled out Delores. Amazing how much dirt and associated detritus four people and two dogs can track inside when the ground is wet and muddy. Discovered the hard way, while trying to “adjust” a piece of rebar that will anchor the roof to the wall, that 15 hour-old concrete is not as strong as I thought it would be. How much damage was done will be revealed when the forms come off on Wednesday. Be afraid; be very afraid! Once the roof form was in place and securely braced, all four of us mixed and placed the 400 pounds of concrete that it took to fill an area 4′ long x 2′ wide x 4″ deep. That job was done and all tools cleaned by 11. Alverta arrived at 11:30. By 1 o’clock we couldn’t resist the call of the lake any longer. Alex and Katy decided to go canoeing. Immediately after they got underway, Shlomo decided that he wanted to go for a ride, too. He made a giant leap off the dock… onto Alex, who reacted by leaning just a little too far to port, causing everyone to go for an unexpected swim. After the canoe was dewatered, Geisha and Shlomo spent their time herding whoever was in the water, canoe, or kayak back to shore. Meanwhile, Frank, Fran, and Anne arrived, but sans bathing suits. So we repaired to the campfire for Hummel hot dogs (the BEST!), burgers, and marinated veggies, chased down by the usual Independence Day beverages, including a surprisingly good Josh Beckett’s Chardon-K, a Longball Cellars chardonnay. (You’ll understand the subtle play on words only if, like Frank, you’re a devout Boston Red Sox fan.) Completely sated, it was then time to attend the Salisbury Congregational Church ice cream social, where we managed to do some serious damage to assorted pies, ice cream, and toppings. Lynne and Perry were there also, entertaining friends from the Big Apple. Once back at Fern Lake with all guests headed homeward, Chree and I went for a canoe ourselves before tackling an eight person mountain of dishes and empty bottles. For some reason the dogs seem especially tuckered this evening…
