chapter 474

7/4/2017

Olmsted Reunion 2017

50th Wedding Anniversary

Yes, we were all here for bro Dale and Barbs anniversary. They all did enjoy the Boston land- boat ride without incident. I've done these in Albany and showed up as unofficial photographer when Karen dropped the ball.

Other pic links to old reunions etc here.

Shawn teeing off on the fourth hole at the Franklin Country Club. I was almost arrested for running from the pool area in my bathing suit onto the course to capture the moment - but it had to be done. All impromptu, I just showed up.

Oh, there were fireworks. Wild Willie as Dad called him is seen here crouched behind Scotts 1940's Ford tractor. The incendiary was supposed to shoot into the sky and then explode but Mr Fung at the Chinese factory forgot to load the lift off portion of the firework so it merely exploded on the ground. This is normal procedure for Bill so he knows to get shielded behind the tractor. I don't think there was too much gasoline in the tank. Anyway everyone was safe and it was a fun spectacle. Thanks Bill, for giving us the show.

Lucas had the best time of his young life. Meeting his second cousin Natalie here, going to the Country Club swimming pool and running throughout Scott's new spacious house trying every room and door. If that wasn't enough he went on a tractor ride with BPa, drove the amphibious duck and had a wonderful time just playing with the badminton racket and a rope by himself.

I have been awestruck by the tollgateless Massachusetts interstate system. Maybe it's just the highway engineer in me but I had to find out how the devil the sensors can pick up a little electronic transponder on my dash at 70 mph. Or is the question: Why has the NY EZ Pass system been so crude- making you slow down to 5 mph at the gate? Apparently the NY City bridges are moving into this technology.

To top off the holiday Colleen took me to the James Taylor concert at Tanglewood Lenox, MA. The quality of sound was the best I have ever heard at a concert. JT is still the man with the beautiful voice. I'm sure it's hard for him to believe he is still singing Sweet Baby James after half a century to standing ovations. It really is incredible. He performs it better today , it chokes me up. But back then he was a pioneer - a transitional bridge from the folk to folk rock genre (if I can say that). Biograpghy

We met his pal Mr. Big from Sex and the City, Law and Order, Homicide, Hill Street Blues etc Chris Noth. Chris is 62 and was there with Tara Wilson, his beautiful (Miss West Virginia) 35 year old actress wife. They seem to be friends of sorts with the Taylors (JT's wife is Kim Taylor singing backup in the band). Chris owns the Cutting Room bar in Manhattan.

Mr. Big was very sociable and sitting near the front. We were some rows back but went down front during intermission as JT stayed on the front of the stage interacting with the audience. Huge crowd and thought we'd be trapped in the back lot but got out lucky and home in an hour.

Almost forgot to mention the special guest of JT was Bonnie Raitt another one of my favs, brought the house down with A Thing Called Love.