Last swim of the season

It's technically autumn in the foothills, but you wouldn't know it by the signs in nature. Nights are getting longer, and a few leaves are turning golden, but our giant liquid amber tree persists in its greenness. Today it was 92 degrees, so we went for a refreshing swim. Emily was the one with nerve to jump off the diving board. . . .she came up gasping from the chill. Wayne immersed himself, and frantically swam to get warm, but I couldn't make myself get in above my waist. The water was 69 degrees.  Last year our final swim happened on October 1st, but I think today was it for 2008. The shorter days keep the pool from warming up, even though the weather is hot.  I'm ready for some cool weather and rain!

This has been a lazy Sunday.  We've only done the essentials to prepare for a new week.  I did my usual menu-planning/grocery shopping/family calendar reconciling for the week. Emily reminded me to fill in her assignment book, and completed her own "to do" list for tomorrow. The junior academy has a minimum day this Wednesday, which means a day free of afternoon music lessons. That will give us a chance to catch up on assignments where my help is needed--home ec, and education and career planning.

Yesterday we attended a small local church where Wayne sang with the community men's chorus. The church is so small that the men's chorus and their few accompanying family members (about 20 people) outnumbered the church members. The church had a pleasant and folksy atmosphere, and we shared a scrumptious potluck meal afterwards. When we returned home, Emily had a couple friends to visit, and they had a chance to catch up, and be silly. They took movies with Emily's flip video camera and did much giggling. 

Last week Emily worked at the registration table for a children's evangelistic effort called "Amazing Adventures". Each evening she went to the church for 30 minutes, to sit at the registration table, greet, and log in the names of children who attended. That activity will become part of her portfolio for "volunteer" work.