Grandson David bought a steam engine that he and John were going to fetch from New Jersey. When John took a very different journey last month, Paul offered to drive up with David. Lise and I were delighted that he came here the night before, because it gave us a chance to get to know him. He is the kind of person who can talk to anyone about anything, all of it interesting.
The next morning they rented a van, posed for me, and set off. At the end of the day, they spent the night with Paul’s daughter in Pennsylvania.
David took a photo of his mother Kate and Paul after the engine was loaded in the van. I really appreciate this shot, because I asked David to take it, knowing they would be in a hurry to head home.
While David was gone, I trimmed the evergreens on one side of the garden steps before breakfast. I often say I can see what I’ve done, but no one else would notice. This is my record.
On the way inside, I paused to admire the crepe myrtle. It was showing off, because it should have been trimmed at least three times before getting to this stage. The loppers will be lopping this fall.
Mehrling Muse 
Beautiful crepe myrtle! Great family time too.
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It seems that everyone in the train club are kind-hearted souls and very companionable.
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I’ve met only the four who drove eight hours round trip to John’s memorial service. Many others from that club and the Long Island club sent cards. They are special people with strong bonds.
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That’s nice they have kept in touch all these years – David will enjoy that same camaraderie. It is good that he was going to the train club with John long enough that he made those bonds. And the member who let David stay at his house on the day John passed away – that’s nice and so thoughtful.
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Train club members are special people, but I never got to know them. Paul wasn’t feeling well, so he’s staying the night and will leave after breakfast.
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That’s a lot of garden work. Looks great! So fun to have people who are great conversationalists around, too. Sounds like fun 🙂
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Paul will eat lunch with me today. David might not have time to eat because of returning the van and going to work.
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I love crepe myrtles! They are so beautiful this time of year.
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What a lot of garden work. Beautiful looks. Sound like fun. Who’s Paul? Beautiful van picture. I like .
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Paul is a friend of John and David from the train club.
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Thanks 🙏
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The crepe myrtle looks fabulous. Can’t wait to see this train engine and learn more about it. Seems like the love of trains is being carried on. Is Paul a family friend?
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Paul is a good friend from the train club. He was the first person to speak at John’s memorial service.
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For some reason my crêpe myrtle hasn’t bloomed out this year. In its defense, it’s still in a pot. Trying to work on building a greenhouse so I can move it to its official location. So perhaps it’s just grumpy with me 😅.
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We’ve had grumpy years with crepe myrtles, too. This was a good year for ours.
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Glad I’m not alone! That’s amazing that yours is doing so well this year
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Can’t help wondering about a rented van and the size of the steam engine. Less than 50 tons?
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The stream engine is in parts, having been dismantled for repair. David and friends have to put it back together.
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The loppers get a regular work-out here, and I am overdue since it has been so hot. Kudzu waits for no one. Your garden steps look nice now–I like the rocks!
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I’m leery of the steps, because the surfaces are rocky and uneven. I walk around to avoid falling.
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I can see that–I would trip over the container rails! But it is still pretty to look at.
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Such pretty shrubs. A steam engine? A model one?
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The trains are large enough to ride on. I hope we will have good photos when David’s engine is put back together. It burns coal, has a boiler, so is a real stream engine.
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Incredible attention to detail!!!
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