June 19

Relevance was 25 down in Austin.
Joe was driving Frances to S – F for the Order of the Arrow ceremony. It would be the first year that Frances could be eligible for OA. Unfortunately, much of the decision for who would be tapped out, came down to a popularity vote. Either way, OA or no, there was that same old magic about the S – F Scout Ranch.
It would always remind Collette of the old days.
That morning, Puck heard a train far in the distance and cocked his head toward the open window until the whistle had ended.
It was heavy and warm for most of the day. Collette had opened the windows while she, Linnea, and Puck stayed indoors until a 10:30 walk in the sun. Puck was well-oiled in baby sunblock, and even obliged to wear his sunnies for most of his travels. His pudgy baby cheeks shone in the sunshine as he watched the houses pass him.
Linnea was on a coin hunt and found a dime and five pennies before the day was out.
Following grilled salami and cheese sandwiches and Crayon juices for lunch, Puck took a long snooze in the office. When he woke in a particularly cheerful mood, he joined Collette and Linnea on another (more brief) walk. The heat became too much, so Linnea and Puck took a long splash in the bathtub before dinner in makeshift swim suits.
Once things had been settled for the evening, Collette and Linnea drove to the still-remote and quiet Great Escape Theater to see Kung Fu Panda. They enjoyed the film over pretzel bites and spicy cheese dip, a large wild cherry ICEE, and a box of Snow Caps.
“Collette!” Linnea exclaimed, “You ate almost the whole box!”
“Sorry,” Collette replied. “I warned you.”
Linnea took the box with a grin, and finished it off.
The movie employed star-filled heavens, green mountains of China, fireflies, peaches, and a tubby panda of course.
As they left the movie theater, the heavens were deep blue in storm clouds, and the lightening flickered in the east and in the west as the fireflies glowed on the dark green lawns.