Lesson 963: Williamsport

 Hello, Readers!

The Lamp Posters returned home

from the American Legion Baseball State Tournament

in Williamsport, PA.

It is home to the Little League World Series.

This team of guys was really fun to watch.

The field was in a gorgeous setting.

The mascot for the Williamsport Area High School is a Millionaire.

Given it's proximity to the Susquehanna

and river shipping of lumber,

there was a great concentration of wealth

a century ago.

It took us awhile to figure out the logo.

That's a top hat,

white gloves,

and a rose.

We lost the first game--

a close one to the team 

who eventually won the tournament--Pittston.

We had a win for the second game

which was has landed in my top 3 of all time games.

Sam hit well,

pitched well,

and had a blast.

The game that sent us packing

was the third game.

Louie watched from the hilltop in the outfield.

I walked up and down the hill to burn off stress

and took pics of wildflowers between innings.

We enjoyed the area so much

we would love to go back.

If you have dogs,

we found the best Vrbo!

Sam never got to eat at Pier 87.

Look up the restaurant if you ever are in Williamsport.

It's right along a creek.

Home Sweet Home

means Home Gutted Home

at the end of every July.

The annual Lamp Post resort has begun

and there are bins and boxes everywhere!

I rearranged all my bedroom furniture today

and I'm feeling it,

so I'm headed to bed soon.

Not before I give you your weekend homework, however.

Last week I told you about Natalie's 

Happy Mail project.

It seems she's not alone.

Snail Mail is trending!

If you watch the segment below

and read The Mailman,

you will want to bust out a pen and paper yourself!

CLICK HERE FOR Today Show Snail Mail

Goodnight, Readers.

Eloise

Lesson 962: Letter Carrier

 Hello, Readers.

Eloise, here,

delivering you a bit of good news.

The tomatoes are ripe!

We only have a few plants in pots,

but prefer the cherry tomato plants

so our resident gardener has lots to pick.

Between the teeny tomatoes

and her bean teepees,

Natalie is keeping quite busy

and her thumb polished green.

She painted up her old wagons this week.

Locals, 

if you see the wagons parked at the end of the driveway

with flowers in them,

stop and take some.

They are free!

If you see this machine parked at the end of my driveway

with this guy strapped inside,

he is NOT free.

From now until the snow flies

you'll catch us in the vineyards

going for 

(often shoeless)

rides.

Sam discovered hacky sacs this summer.

We told him old news.

We were aces in the 80s.

He and his teammates from

Wesleyville Post 571

will be playing in the state tournament

this weekend.

One correction to my earlier facebook post.

The game schedule switched

and we are playing Pittston

instead of Philipsburg.

Ellen Louise traveled to see Cousin Jack

and had a great trip to the big beach.

With so many things going on,

a once a week blog can't cover it all.

But a letter could.

Maybe you'll be receiving one of these

brightly colored envelopes in your mailbox soon.

Inspired by my two favorite books of 2026,

The Correspondent

and The Mailman

Natalie will be starting her 

Happy Mail project.

The act of practicing her printing

will help with the bit of the summer slide we see

every summer when she is away from her job.

It is much like what students experience

being out of the classroom for two months.

She becomes more echolalic

and she forgets how to spell some of her

known words.

In fact,

she started a stamp collection this week, too.

She picked the horses

and my favorite,

Mr. Rogers!

If you receive a Natalie Note,

please send her one back.

She absolutely loves to get mail!

If you want to get into reading,

or back into reading--

start with The Mailman.

I think it is a book 

everyone will enjoy

and learn a lot from.

Baseball before Books!

When the season is over,

I'll schedule a book party at the Lamp Post!

Have a great weekend!

Eloise

Lesson 961: A Me Moment

 Hello, Readers.

Eloise here,

if you look hard through the

smoky haze of wildfire smoke.

Our hearts go out to our Canadian friends.

How terrifying.

I spent the last few days wishing 

there was something I could do to help.

It is very hard for me to feel helpless

when someone is hurting.

It got me thinking about my worth as a person--

you know,

the Why Am I Here

kind of thought train.

Have I done enough in life?
Have I contributed positively to this world?

I was outside all day today--

unavoidable, really.

My plants needed me

and American Legion baseball

has commenced.

I was pondering life

while I stopped to spy on a bird nest,

built in the crook of a downspout

right outside of my childhood bedroom.

I was standing at my bean teepee

in my toe shoes,

camera strapped like a weapon crossbody,

book in hand

when the thought hit me: 

Right here

That's where I'm supposed to be--right here,

doing what a do.

It was quite A Me Moment.

Go a little further,

you can see my Princess Diana commemorative ring

my FitBit that tracks my steps, sleep, and heart rate,

and tracks of sourdough on my forearm.

a remnant of this morning's loaf prep.

Right here.

That's where we are all supposed to be.

In my Me Moments

you'll find me picking flowers

photographing wildlife--

We found twins this week!

And reading some books.

This book is excellent.

I'll probably do a post just on this book.

Others are having their Me Moments, too.

Penny got her photo taken at Pet Supplies Plus

for her birthday!

Gus had his birthday two days later.

Natalie is happy with her first CSA delivery!

The Wizard was out when the guys drove through

Leeper, PA.

Always a thrill.

The gamers of the house also won big

at the Cherry Festival.

We made out annual outing

for a doughboy,

some BINGO,

and a game or two.

Three Pill Game wins

and two BINGOs

made us head home with our 

winnings.

Ellen had a Lucky find, too,

with a drink she took up 

to a weekend trip.

--A collab with Pet Rescues!

My Sis had a Me Moment

and earned her Iron Man medal

with these two teammates.

Kenyan is one tough lady

and 

Eloise is one tired lady.

We play an early game tomorrow

so I am going to dream of rain

and a land free from smoke and fire--

unless the bats iginite tomorrow.

That will be fine.

Praying for our Canadian friends.

Eloise