Summer in the park

Returned home from one of my favorite work duties (name reader for GED graduation - 15th year or thereabouts) to a family planning session for Christmas (Let's go to MC's for the holiday!). Peeled off the dress clothes and changed into the "dog walking wear" as we called numbers on the cell phone left in my office today. We finally found someone to answer (no, we did not leave messages on Mom's or Dad's lines - that scares people when someone from "the college" calls). Turns out it belongs to a co-worker and he will NEVER hear the end of it I am sure. Met his wife at the bottom of the hill.

Then, exhausted from our "good deed," we wandered to the ice cream/snow cone stand. Everyone was treated. Paddy loves vanilla soft-serve. She chased that bowl across the pavement 'til there was none. I find French vanilla most like the snow cones of my youth. DH tried the sugar free cherry.
I forget that ice cream is a sticky mess whether you have little people or big dogs...but it was worth it...I just hope Padimus doesn't decide to drag me to the stand on future walks now that she knows what happens there.

We walked on the pavement as the darkness caught up with us in the park. We do not walk the dirt road at night. We have seen unidentified animals (shadows) walking there at dawn and dusk - best not to meet up with strange and unknown creatures in the dark.

Only one ball field was still in use as we drew alongside (and watched the kids snag the foul balls and home runs - baseballs over the fence. Do you get a free snow cone when you return the ball?).
When there is only one game you can really hear it. You aren't swamped with the noise of too many aluminum bats making contact, too much patter, too many cheering fans. The game sounds and the heat and the taste of the snow cone conspired - I am transported to Rob and Bessie Welder Park - I am 12 years old with a peeling sunburn hoping to get a turn announcing the game with Toots.

I am startled back to the present as the park cat runs for safety in the culvert and Paddy tries to follow.
The night creatures are everywhere: a fox crosses the entrance to the park as we head for home; the neighborhood cats start their evening prowls; the crickets drone in in the background as the cicadas call and answer.