temptations and peaches

My poor hubbie has been studying like crazy and according to him, needs to "get a grip". He has three more days of tests next week (5 exams in 3 days!) and then he gets two weeks off. To help him unload, unwind, relax, and laugh a little, we met our friends Brad and Jane for a free outdoor concert here in sleepy little Hamden. We loaded up our chairs and some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and walked to the field from Brad and Jane's apartment. The band we were going to see was called the Tempting Temptations Review. We were thinking they would be some silly knock-off. To our amazement, the field was packed by time we arrived, so we just found a nice place off to the side to sit and visit. We didn't have a view of the stage, but figured we could just listen and chat. O contraire mon frere! When we heard the introduction of this motown revival and the music started, we had to get a better look. As it turns out, one of the original members is still performing and singing with the group...he's 65 (and the one singing lead in the video!) One of the other members is Paul Williams Jr., son of another original member. We were completely entertained, singing aloud (and cheesy "back-up" style dancing in a row) to so many familiar songs. I've attached a video clip. Now don't wish you were there!



Today...while Keith was back with his books and study groups, I met up with some of the wives to go picking. Yes, picking...as in peaches, blueberries, pears, tomatoes, squash, etc. We drove about 15 minutes to Lyman Orchards and were completely wowed by how immense and vast this place was. It was beautiful. Eager to get started, we piled out of the car and got lost in the peach orchards first. Lining a mountain top were rows and rows of gorgeaous peach trees at our disposal. The smell was intoxicating and the colors so vivid. We were lost in the trees, enjoying our moment, when a woman comes screaming into the orchard, "Get OUT of the ORCHARDS! Everybody OUT! The lightening is coming! The LIGHTENING is COMING!" She was in such a flury and panic that, well, we had to laugh. Yes, the skies were gray, but they didn't seem that menacing. We made our way up to the stand to purchase our small crop and with big smiles, piled back into the car just as the sky opened to pour fresh rain...following by a huge bolt of lightening. Needless to say, we had to drive past the pears, blueberries, and other delectables on our way out. Layman Orchards...we shall return!