Bill and Cathy McArthur Spring/Summer/Fall 2005: 6

   In mid-June, Bill ran a 5K race in Ocean City. Although his time wasn't good, he felt good to be back on the racing circuit. June 21 was the Summer Solstice, also known as "Midsummer Day." The weather was beautiful and the moon was very close to full (99%). We had a dinner party for some of Cathy's former colleagues at Technical High School and for a change, we had ideal temperature, cloud, and wind conditions for eating outside on the deck. Later, after a wonderful dinner highlighted by two desserts by chef George Pechin, formerly at Peaches Restaurant, we were able to have a video session with Bill, Stacey, and baby Sarah using a webcam that Bill and Stacey sent for Father's Day.

   Bill finally solved a 7 year old mystery. He picked up a strange object along the shore of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, NY. His best guess was that it was a nut of some kind, but what species was it? We have kept the nut on our mantle. It turns out to be called a "devil's head" and is the fruit of an invasive species, the European Water Chestnut. Some careful sleuthing on the Internet produced a website with a photo and discussion.

        Bill and Cathy