like a flash in the pan

Summertime is nearing it's end. All in all I would have to say the Summer of 2011 was purdy durn fantastic.

• Hung out with friends I made last summer
• Made new friends and hung out with them
• Discovered the Highland Park Pool

• Ate grilled peaches, & some other fancy things my bro-in-law whipped up

• Went to a movie in the park

• Enjoyed Porch Time (a lovely reminder of my youthful summers in the south)
• Hosted family friends, and robins

five of 'em squished in there

last baby out, mom & pop were keeping an eye on him

• Went to a baseball game

• volunteered here, and there,
  
• and of course enjoyed an occasional Pittsburgh classic - Rita's Ice

But now... now I think that I am mostly ready for fall and all the fun that comes with that.

past present future in less then 2 minutes....

One of the things we've been meaning to do since we moved here is visit a place called Kennywood. Of course because he had been there when he was a kid, the huz wanted to take both the kid and I; but as teens are wont to do, she went ahead without us. Instead going with her friends on the designated day for her school. So after we shipped her off to visit in Seattle and we went on a day date.

It was nostalgic for him, and fun for me (I heart roller coasters). Unfortunately we were too early to ride the newest one which opened a few days after we went; but it will be nicely broken in by the time we try it out. Can't wait to go back with the kid.... now that I've gotten familiar we can better prepare. The pics are all with my new phone, I was sc'red to take the big kahuna camera, but there is always next time.

Jack Rabbit in action, or what I could see of it...



the second dip of the Phantom's Revenge, which goes under the Thunder Bolt

The Phantom's Revenge, I made Michael ride it twice!

diving in

Last night I participated as a volunteer in an event called Rock the Block put on by WYEP. It was nice to get out on a Saturday night (haven't done that in awhile, separate from hanging out with Michael's childhood chums in Ligonier) and intermingle. I had the opportunity to talk to some really cool people, most of whom were born and raised here and never left. Strangely in Seattle many of the people I called friends were not locals; and in fact I can only think of a handful who were! I think it says something about a city where people don't leave or if they do, they find there way back. Although I know several of my classmates who have moved away and moved back to "The Springs", I could never imagine moving back there, under any circumstance. Maybe in part because I don't have family there, which many of them do; but still....

I digress.

As I was saying.... it was great to be out and about, meeting new people, hearing good music, having tasty treats (Pomegranate sno-cone), and generally feeling like I might start to have a life again.