Independence Day

July 4, 2008
Broad Brook, CT

Happy Independence Day to everyone!

I feel like we're in the middle of a battlefield as I write this, since there are renegade (i.e., illegal) fireworks going off all around us. As expected, the dogs are terrified and alternately hiding, pacing, and crying. You'd think the local constabulary might drive by and maybe put a stop to the "festivities" for a while but, no.

There's not much to report, as the last few days have been more of the same. Boring, I suppose. Between the showers and thunderstorms, I managed to do the generator (oil and filter, fuel filter) and furnace (change fuel filter and nozzle, clean chamber - just like a home oil burner) maintenance and get half of the chassis lube done. Since I had changed the engine oil and filters, fuel filters, and coolant cartridge in late-June, I'm in pretty good shape on the maintenance. I have the front-end lubrication and changing the drive axle oil left, and then it'll be simply be running through the monthly checklist before we hit the road. Our departure is currently planned for July 30, which will be here before we know it.

Other than that, it's been relatively quiet. Geri made a great pulled pork shoulder during the week, which went over well. Last night was "sushi night" for us, Pat and Al and their girls, and the Bower clan. I put "sushi" in quotes because, even though we all ordered from the same menu from the same restaurant, there was only one out of ten people who actually had some. You guessed it - me. Everyone else had rolls, soup, tempura, lo mein, fried rice, etc. Nice, but not sushi. I had an 8-piece tray with tune, yellowtail and striped bass. Yum!

Today, everyone but Geri and I went to the beach. Apparently, it worked out well for them since Rhode Island had sun while we had more - yes - showers. Since we're not really "beach people", it was fine. I started making a simple pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and capers for dinner, but got distracted (dogs gone wild) and burned it. Since it wasn't edible, out it went. That hurt. I recovered with a different sauce, and was surprised when the beach crew showed up for dinner, but was able to throw on another pound of pasta and stretch the sauce without anyone really noticing. Geri cooked up a storm today as well, making up a batch of sausage and peppers with potatoes, olives, chicken, and who knows what else. That's for tomorrow, though, as we're heading back to Melisa and Paul's place at the lake for the day. It may rain, but we'll eat well!