Random summer comments

Hooray! Summer is here!

Random happenings in my life at the moment:
1. My brother graduated last weekend! Woo hoo! He now has his degree in mechanical engineering. He will be moving out to Rhode Island shortly, where his girlfriend has a job. He'll probably be looking for engineering work in Boston, which I gather is not too far away.

2. I read the book Fast Food Nation and I don't think I'll ever be able to eat prepackaged hamburger again. The potential for disease is enormous there. Plus the workers and animals in beef processing plants are treated abominably. If I can find a way to get free-range beef, I'll do it. Bare minimum, I want to watch someone grind my hamburger from real meat. We are trying out some free range chicken this week. It was certainly more expensive but it might taste better too...at least that's what I've heard.

3. I'm starting a more comprehensive workout program (not just ballet twice a week). The health teacher at school is organizing summer workout sessions, and I went to 2 last week. At one we did a walking/aerobics video and at the other we worked in the school's weight room. Holy cow was I sore after the weights! I went out and bought the walking video along with a yoga video and I've been trying to do something almost every day. I'm working up slowly. I don't need to lose weight but I feel like I'm out of shape and my muscles are pretty weak. As I've gotten older it gets harder and harder to have a break from ballet class and go back. The videos will let me keep working out when I'm at my mom's and hopefully I will not be as sore when I come back.

4. Reading rocks. I went to the library and got a huge stack of books which I am working my way through. It's like the summers when I was little and sat around and read all day. I'm trying not to do that, but...I do so love to read!

That's about all for now. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

In Memoriam

D's grandfather passed away unexpectedly Friday night. He had an aneurysm that was probably going to be repaired soon, and died peacefully in his sleep. We got the call Saturday morning and we're in WI to be with his family. The funeral is on Monday--I'm missing the last day of school and promotion ceremony, but I didn't like this class much anyway so I'm not too broken up about missing it.

D's family is doing all right, the grief comes and goes and I think it is still sinking in. D's grandfather had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and we are all glad that he didn't have to suffer through it.

I wanted to add a bit about D's grandfather. I remember him as fun-loving, friendly, and very devoted to his family. He loved to fly and was part owner of a small airplane for a while. He liked to talk politics even though we often didn't agree! I remember that we had a good laugh when he thought last year that the powers that be were preventing all of us from getting satellite TV. He had a great time dancing at our wedding and those pictures are probably how I'll remember him most.