Tuesday - August 14

Rainy morning in Phoenix.....Mark ordered breakfast (eggs, toast and coffee for $2.59) from the bridge house brats and I later had a breakfast sandwich.   Some of the food is prepared in a little building next to Catrina,; otherwise, they walk to the local restaurant (Larkin's).    I did 2 loads of  laundry (very close to the boat and nice facility)   Mark was having an issue with his Direct TV but resolved that.    We walked to the State Street Café - cute very eclectic coffee shop for our morning fix.
 
We met Mike, a local who I had met earlier this morning.    He gave us the scoop on the bridge house brats.    So these town kids from 8-18 have been doing this (all volunteer service) for 20 years and organized by Kathy who doles out the jobs for the day (also doing a craft project in the band stand where the concert was last night today for the younger kiddos).     She carries some of these projects on into the school year and keeps track of what each of the brats has done and then goes on their college resume, job application, etc.
The brats do their thing all summer (Monday-Saturday 7-2 and Friday evenings) and will be ending in 2 weeks when school starts.
 
Entrance to the kids hangout, where they prepare simple breakfasts, etc.
 
One of the "brats" watering flowers around town
2 "brats" - very sweet 
 
After our coffee break, we walked to The Medicine Place and picked up 2 prescriptions and had a nice chat with Anthony Grosso - the pharmacist!     Gotta love these small-town folks!
 
So, we really enjoyed our time on the Erie Canal covering 611 miles and 80 hours on the engines.    And now, this first little town (population 2,281) on the Oswego Canal has just been a delight with the Brats, friendly folks, coffee shop, ice cream, concert in the park + cookout with homemade pies, etc., etc.)    There are just 4 towns on this canal which is only a total of 24 miles.
 
The heavens really opened up later this afternoon!    Good time to hunker down and catch up with bookwork, read and a little nap!
 
Leftovers for supper and then to 7:00 Mass at St. Stephen's for holy day (tomorrow) of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.   Just a few blocks away and able to dodge the rain. 
 
At the coffee shop when we were visiting with Mike this morning, he told us about the pastor at St. Stephen's who retired August 1st but still helping out.    Father Philip Brockmyre is 80 years old (a very vibrant 80) and had been married with 6 children.    When his wife passed away, Father Phil became a priest and is very much loved and will be missed.    He will be moving to the Rochester area to be closer to his family.
 
And then there's little Miss who is ready to take on the day but not sure which way she's going?
Still in my jammies, so could just lounge around all day; ready for my construction job with my hard hat; got my mirror, so off to the beauty shop; or, my big bag for shopping?     Tough decision!!!
 
 Meanwhile brother Luke is out shopping for "Big" Boy toys...
Lawn mower, boat and car!!!
Luke and Maeve's "Pa" and "Nana" (Illinois grandparents) are visiting this week so lots of fun for all!
 
Mark's heel is better - thanks to all those who wrote with helpful hints.     It comes and goes but the ibuprofen definitely helps!  
 
 

No comments: