Steve had a small trench to dig in our backyard. What surprise finds he discovered.

There were several remnants of old cans.
This sole from a pair of leather shoes was interesting.

The most fun find was the almost perfectly intact green bottle.
Fitch's Quinoil is a vintage hair treatment oil produced by the F.W. Fitch Company and popular from the 1930s through the 1940s and 1950s. It was commonly sold in distinctive green glass bottles as a non-sticky tonic meant to groom, condition, and treat the hair.
Frederick Walter Fitch's story is a long, interesting one. Born in Iowa in 1870, abandoned by his physician father, farmed out by his destitute mom at age 8, and basically an indentured servant to a farmer for thirteen years, he found his way to working for a barber and it was a perfect fit.By 1914, the business’ annual sales were over a quarter million dollars and was promoted as both a chemist business and a perfumer. So successful was Fitch that he moved his business to Des Moines creating the this district, F. W. Fitch Company Historic District, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
The company did well throughout the early 20th century and during World War II but saw a decline in sales after the war due to the loss of military contracts.

Our next round of guests is our younger son and his family. After a Friday of everyone doing their own thing, we gathered together and headed off the hill to Minden, Nevada for an exceptional evening of music and merriment.

The band, The Beatles Flashback, was fabulous. When we closed our eyes, it was as if we really were at a Fab Four concert. WOW.
And what a setting this park is, in the heart of Minden (1906). The kiddos were gifted beach balls and from that point on, we hardly saw them. Hysterical.

In the two hours, 51 Beatles songs were played. Since most are only two minutes long, that wasn't hard to accomplish.

Tomorrow is my Talking on Paper Writing Group. Having that deadline always encourages me to actually put pen to paper. Here is my submission.

Starts and Not Finishes

On a recent shopping trip at Target, I spotted a pair of new, shiny black tap shoes. Instantly, I was transported to my early childhood and into my Tap, Ballet, and Baton Twirling Class. I hadn’t thought of  five year old me for a very long time. This memory evoker triggered a series of reminisces of all the things I started and never finished.

To this day, I’m envious of anyone who can play a musical instrument. I could play one had I ‘finished’. My mom dutifully took me to guitar lessons. I could play a mean rendition of Proud Mary but for some reason I stopped.

At one point, we were babysitting a grand piano so my mom signed me up for lessons then. My Hot Cross Buns was impeccable yet again, for some reason that’s as far as I went. I now wonder if my mom quit taking me to various activities, exasperated by my unwillingness to practice these skills to perfection or did I just tire of them? It’s a question I had never thought to ask myself, or my mom when she could have answered.

This quitting mentality didn’t end in early childhood. As I thought more about all I had attempted to do, the list became extensive: Spanish in middle school, French in high school, a teaching credential after college, even a travel agent certification during stay-at-home motherhood.

C.S. Lewis said, “You never know what you can do until you try, and very few try unless they have to.” Well, Mr. Lewis can't say I didn't try. So you will never find me attempting to step, heel drop, brush, shuffle, flap, or ball change. And no, I can't plié, relevé, or pirouette and because I never finished French, I can't even pronounce what I can't do.

I appreciate the accomplishments of those who persevered and mastered their craft though I have to wonder how many things did they attempt but never finished.

Steve asked, "Doesn't it make you sad to draft such a list?" Actually, it truly doesn't. I have a deep sense of gratitude for my mom's attempt at broadening my horizons. I have accepted my limitations and 'not finishes' and at this age, I'd probably just hurt myself if I was to toss a baton around anyway.

I tried. I didn't have to. I quit. I'm good with it. But boy, new, shiny black tap shoes are very adorable (though probably not so much in a size 10).

What a busy five days! Cindy's grand finale was spent back at Round Hill Pines Beach Resort doing what we love to do.

After dinner on the porch, much needed showers, and a passegiata around the neighborhood, we decided we'd end our day being creative. It had been years since Cindy painted. Oh man, the giggles that ensued.
This was the perfect end to Cindy's visit. What a visit it was!

Cindy's trip timing allowed us to attend The Great Gatsby Festival, an event I haven't gone to in years. It has been missed.

The Great Gatsby Festival is a living history event, celebrating the life and times of the Prohibition Era. Begun in the mid-1980s, Gatsby has brought bootleggers, Model Ts, vintage vendors, live jazz, and much more to the Tallac Historic Site throughout the last four decades.
What a spectacular setting. We delighted in actively participating vs just spectating. We spent our day photographing ourselves and being photographed. It was frivolity at its best.

"Don’t be afraid to put on your glad rags and step into the past at this year’s Gatsby! From classic cocktails and live jazz, to vintage clothing, blacksmiths and autos, there is something for everyone to enjoy."





In addition to vintage cars, there were vintage camping set ups on display. How very, very cool.


Games of yore were available to play. I love this series of us playing croquet.
This is my favorite photo of the day. It captures our spirit so well.
As does Steve's AI rendition. Hysterical. There just isn't enough dancing with confetti in the world.
Listening to live Jazz was a welcomed respite.

This couple has been attending almost since the event's inception. I have several photographs taken with them over the years. So fun.
Oh and if all that wasn't enough, today was Smokey Bear's 82nd birthday and we joined the celebration.

We ended our day in Genoa for a Concert on the Green.
We met up with Sharon and Erin to soak up the final weeks of summer while listening to some traditional Bluegrass performed by Joey Carmon & Kentucky Blue.



A detour into Nevada's Oldest Thirst Parlor (1853) was a must.
Our days are full of delights and unforgettable memories. We have one more day. Here's to Guest Season!