Jun
21
2015

I had a very nice Fathers Day, with a good breakfast, a trip to the farmers market, and Sarah’s last soccer game of the season.

Unfortunately, the Fireballs came up short against Red Hook. We did, however, have a season highlight when assistant coach Spike (left), after a particularly dubious call, drew a yellow card for asking the ref whether he had sunstroke.
Jun
14
2015

Which is a good thing, because they have only one game left to try to eke out a win. Here they are after a somewhat lopsided encounter with the Carmel Cyclones.

We had a busy weekend. Sarah graduated from Caedmon on Friday, with attendant ceremonies and parties, and we headed up to the farm Saturday morning in time for soccer practice at 10:30. On Sunday we hosted the Landsman Kill Trail Association’s Spring Trail Ride. We had many horses rolling around on our lawn.

If you’re wondering what’s in bloom these days, we have Mock Orange.

Foxglove.

Burdock.
Jun
07
2015

It was peak Peony season this weekend, which unfortunately Jen missed in in favor of her high school reunion. On Saturday Sarah had soccer practice, we attended an art show opening in Red Hook, and we watched American Pharoah sail to a Triple Crown victory. On Sunday the Rhinebeck Fireballs fell to the Cornwall Copa. There are just two games left in the season.
May
31
2015

We had the Diz family visiting this weekend. We planned a festive dinner for Saturday, but Daisy ate five veggie burgers before we could sit down. We rebounded Sunday with a fishing trip with Graham and his mom. Graham caught two bass and two sunfish. Later on Sunday, the Rhinebeck Fireballs were shocked by the Yorkville Lightning, although the Fireballs did score.

Before we left for the weekend, Sarah received the (fridge-worthy) results from her last Latin quiz of the year.
May
25
2015

We had a splendid Memorial Day weekend, with all of Jen’s family visiting.
Sarah marched in the parade with the Rhinebeck Soccer league.

The locusts were blooming.

And we celebrated Lew Burleigh’s 75th birthday. Happy birthday, Lew!
May
17
2015

Sarah would not let gray skies, low wind, or high grass deter her from trying out a new kite on Saturday.

She got it pretty far up there.
May
10
2015

We celebrated Mothers Day in customary fashion, with breakfast in bed for mom.

This year, we decided not to burden Jen with another tree she would need to plant — although the Redbud, Jen’s 2009 Mothers Day present, is now thriving. Here it is in 2011.

On Saturday, Sarah, for reasons best known to herself, decided to dress up and fly a kite.

The Rhinebeck Soccer League does not pause for Mothers Day. The Fireballs took on the Red Hook Storm, and lost seven zip.

During the game, this Red-tailed Hawk soared above Baptist Field.

Afterward, we stopped by the Rhinebeck Farmers’ Market, which opens on Mother Day and gives complimentary seedlings to moms (Jen got a snapdragon and a daisy). After a falafel lunch, we headed to Northern Dutchess Botanical Gardens to buy flowers for various urns. Sarah got a peppermint plant, which she planted by the back door.
May
03
2015

Sarah had soccer games both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday she squared off against the Minisink Jaguars (pictured) at Baptist Field in Rhinebeck, while on Sunday she played an away game against the Carmel Cyclones, in the hamlet of Patterson, New York. Both the Jaguars and the Cyclones were large, and in charge, and the Rhinebeck Fireballs did not prevail. However, they scored in each game — their motto is Fireballs Never Give Up. Daisy attended the Cyclones game and was a comfort to any Fireball whose spirit flagged.

During the brief period we spent at the farm, we saw this beautiful Oriole.
Apr
26
2015

Sarah rejoined the Rhinebeck soccer team this weekend, and is now a Rhinebeck Fireball.

She had a very promising practice on Saturday, in which she scored the above-pictured goal, before taking on Cornwall on Sunday at the Baptist Home field in Rhinebeck. The Fireballs did not prevail, but they take on the Carmel Jaguars next weekend.

Back at home, we had several visits from the herons, which seem to be occupying a number of nests in the swamp.

Daisy got plenty of exercise.
Apr
19
2015

Although Spring is upon us, Sarah, remembering the long winter, stuck to her knitting as Daisy recharged.

Outside, the daffodils are blooming, but it’s still early days for lilacs and most other spring flowers.