I thought I did this already?

I meant to blog earlier today but I guess I spaced out and didn't get to it.  I am not preaching this week so I've been doing tons of "secretarial" kinds of things, which I enjoy doing for the most part, but whenever I do I get too many things "open" on my to-do list and have a sort of ADD moment where I'm not sure if I'm coming or going.  I need to start a project and finish it, and then move on to the next one -- but I never do that.  I start six and work on them all here and there and if I'm lucky a couple get done.

Right now I should be writing my "From the Pulpit" column due Friday, but I got distracted by my blog.  That, and the fact that writing 400 words is nearly impossible. I am way to wordy to limit my spiritual wisdom to 400 words. HAHA! I am supposed to write a column about Robin Meyers, coyly advertising his visit here in October, but I have no clue how to do that. I should have asked someone else to do it months ago.  My plate is full.  But I'll do my best.

Another gorgeous fall day here, and Bob is home soon.  After this week he'll only have two weeks left at the golf course.  To say he is counting the hours would not be an exaggeration.  He has 96 hours left (assuming there are no rain days, then it's less than that) and then he is DUN and ready to start the dog training business.  We have a business name, and a slogan.

Pawsitive Transformations

Bringing out the best in our best friends

What do you think?  Next up is a web site, some small business education through ISU and SCORE, then watch out world!


I went with Bob to the Humane Society on Tuesday, to play with a sweet little puppy named Augie, who is not yet up for adoption but needed some attention. He's freaking adorable, but very chewy. I felt like I was in a room with a school of piranha. He bit my hands, my legs, my feet -- with those razor sharp little puppy teeth.  I was having trouble getting him to stop and Bob came in and immediately got him to sit and pay attention and do amazing puppy things that did not involve chewing.  I knew he was good at this stuff, but other than with Kayla and Sheba, never really saw him in action before.  


He's very gifted.  And that is not wifely bias.  It's true.

Bob has a treat, and thus Augie's attention. He's going to get him to sit.

And VOILA - Augie sits! And does not chew.

This is Macey. She sat right away, and was not a chewer.

I'm fickle

Every year when Fall or Spring begins, I can't remember which one I like better.  When a long hot summer like this one ends, and the cooling of autumn begins, I'm convinced that yes, Fall is my favorite season.  But I'm pretty sure earlier this year, when the long cold winter was over and the warming and greening started, I said that Spring was my favorite season. So perhaps my favorite season is the one I'm in?  No that can't be true -- while I admit a certain childlike giddiness when the first snow flies, winter is NOT my favorite season. Nor is summer because it just gets too stinking hot and humid here for me to love it, especially this past summer.  


So it's between Spring and Fall for my favorite season and each year, when one of them begins, I profess my undying love for that season.  Then six months later, I've forgotten my love for one and thrown them over for the other one.  I think it's because I prefer temps around 70 degrees with plenty of sunshine, and both of those seasons give me that. I grew up in SoCal, where temps are usually in the 70's and there is plenty of sunshine -- so I prefer that weather naturally.  As a Midwesterner now, I do admit to liking the changing seasons because it keeps life interesting.  But I'm never excited and happy to see winter or summer arrive, while I am excited and happy when Spring and Fall arrive.  Notice how I capitalize them? Another sign of my fondness for them.


Several years ago, Bob raked up all the leaves and Sheba plopped down in them for a photo. We love this photo and had it framed.  Sheba looked best in the Fall, against the backdrop of the reds and golds and yellows of autumn, with her mostly white coat. We sometimes lost her in the snow, when she was younger and totally white.

Kayla, on the other hand, with her golden coat, looks good in Spring -- and also is quite lovely in winter snow.  

Ah heck who am I kidding -- they both were/are beautiful no matter what the season!

I feel like Sally Field

So, after my frustrating week with whales, dolphins, and interfaith peacemaking, two of my former students emailed me and asked if I wanted to meet them for lunch today.  They are twin sisters who were part of UCCF for all four of their years in ISU who graduated this past May.  One lives and works at home in Palatine, the other is in Edwardsville in nursing school -- and they meet here occasionally to see each other since it's the halfway point (and they are very close and miss each other and it's very sweet).  So I was very happy to hear from them and make a lunch date to see them and catch up.

We had a lovely visit for about at hour at Los Potrillos, where I used to take them out to eat and not only did they buy my lunch, but they also gave met his lovely gift (after already getting me flowers and a beautiful vase in May when they graduated).  She's one of those Willow Tree angels, and she is called the "Angel of the Heart -- for those who love and are loved."  Isn't that the sweetest nicest thing?  They like me! They REALLY like me!

Sometimes I wonder if I do any good in my work with college students, or if I have any impact or meaning in their lives at all (I know that's kind of dumb but one does wonder that) since most of them move away and lose touch.  But a few do keep in touch, and gestures like this make all the ugly stuff of the week wash right away.  Thank you Michelle and Beth!  I look forward to seeing you the next time you are in town.

The Cove

This is not a happy entry.  Nor will it be amusing.  You have been warned.


Do NOT click on the link below if you are squeamish or easily upset.  It's about the killing of 15 pilot whales in "The Cove" in Taiji, Japan yesterday, and it has some pictures along with the article which chronicles the event.
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100921-1.html


Here is some of the text:

At first light, a boat took the dolphin trainers from the public beach over to where the whales were being held in the killing cove.  They were not gone long before they returned and left the area in their cars.  Apparently, none of the whales were suitable for the live trade.  Perhaps they were too beat up from having been held in the shallow killing cove. The story that the live dolphin/whale trade associations and aquariums around the world tell that they are not involved in the killing was proven a lie this morning.

Shortly after the trainers left, the “fishermen” moved in.  Their callous efficiency denies their claims that there is reverence among them for the dolphin and whale.  It was soon over and the nets came down.  Then small boats exited the cove with their dead cargo carefully hidden from view under tarps.  The boats went out of sight around the corner and soon the police and others left the area. We lingered and then discovered that from a different vantage point we could see a barge just outside the cove that was wrapped in tarps.  This is where the whales had been taken.  The dead whales were pulled off the barge by a dolphin hunter boat using ropes tied around their tails.  Three times the hunter boat pulled about 5 whales off the barge and transported them around to the butcher house in Taiji Harbor.

I love dolphins. I always have.  And whales.  Maybe it's because I grew up near the ocean -- or maybe I'm just an intelligent, caring person.  And what's happening in Japan MUST stop.  


Every winter (summer in Antarctica) they set out to kill 1000 whales in spite of an international ban on whaling (they get around the law by calling it research which, pardon my French, is BULLSHIT).  And in Taiji, on the eastern coast of Japan, the Killing Cove operates during the fall, starting around Labor Day.  The movie "The Cove," which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary last year chronicles this holocaust.  I watched the movie earlier this year, and it was so very hard to watch, and I cried through most of it.  But I got through it because I wanted to bear witness to the slaughter, and I felt I owed it to my dolphin kin to see what is happening to them since I can't go to Japan and stop it. And now they are killing pilot whales -- such beautiful, gentle, sweet creatures.  


This year there are several activists in Taiji, present daily near the Cove which, until yesterday, had prevented the slaughter from occurring (just the fact they were there, and the bad press they've been getting in Taiji had so far kept them from killing any dolphins).  They were still kidnapping dolphins from their ocean home to be trained pets in aquariums around the world, but the ones who were not selected by the trainers were set free.  This did not happen for these poor pilot whales.


Most of the Japanese do not know about what goes on in Taiji. Most, when they see pictures or view footage from "The Cove" are outraged, and easily convinced that the carnage must end.  But the Japanese whaling industry is powerful and so far have not been able to be stopped (other than by the Sea Shepherds, who travel to Antarctica each year to harass the whalers and limit their "catch" of minke and humpback whales -- last year they reduced their take by half).  Though this year Australia, within whose waters they hunt whales, is taking them to international court to try and get them to stop.


I am heartbroken, just as I am when innocent human life is taken. Yes, they are animals -- but they are innocent, creative, intelligent creatures who are my brothers and sisters, and if human beings can be so cruel and callous towards them, there is something seriously wrong with us.

Just another Manic Monday

A swirl of activity for me today, starting with swimming, cleaning the kitchen (including the stove!), doing some online stuff for Bob's dog training business, and grocery shopping.  Sitting down now for some lunch then back to work -- vacuuming calls.  I wish Dobbie was here. Never should have given her that sock.


So before today we had an interesting weekend.  Last night we had dinner with friends for our monthly Euchre game.  Bob partners with the Mrs. and I partner with the Mr. and last night we kicked their Euchre asses 10 to 2.  To be honest, I think Bob may have actually been sleeping with his eyes open instead of actually playing but hey, I'll take a win however I can get it!  Good food, great wine, and winning at Euchre, what more could a gal want besides George Clooney as her Euchre partner.


Saturday night was amazing -- we were invited by the local Islamic Community to the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration dinner in Lexington.  We weren't sure what to expect, and we did NOT expect not to sit together so that threw us for a loop when we arrived and found that out, especially since we knew no one there.  But we had a wonderful time, our hosts were amazing (and so warm and accepting and hospitable) and I enjoyed myself with the women immensely.  At first when I walked into the women's side of the room I had no clue where to sit, who to talk to -- so I found a table with a few open spots with women around my age, asked if I could sit there, and that was all it took.  We laughed, ate the spiciest food I've ever had the fright of eating, learned about each other, exchanged emails, and made new friends.  Bob had a similar experience with the men, only not as much laughter (they had serious discussions) and he took part in their evening prayer.


Culturally it was all new to us both, as well as religiously. They were so patient with us and were not offended by our questions, but were so appreciative of our being there, and bridges were built between our two communities.  While I'm not fond of their separation of women and men, I respect their traditions (and was interested to discover that some of the women I was with were also not fond of the separation of the men and women for this dinner which, they claimed, was not necessary but some families wanted it).  So much more I could share, and maybe I will at some point. But for now, the vacuum calls.

For your viewing pleasure ...

My niece Laura sent me this video. It made me laugh, so I am sharing it with you.




I have no idea who this child is, and clearly he does not really know the words to this song. But he's got the moves down, and his hair is an art-form unto itself.


I wish you his kind of joy this weekend.


P.S. The lotter ticket for Saturday has been purchased. Just letting you know.

I'm still here

Alas I did not win the lottery last night.  I know, big shock.  Neither were we abducted by aliens, which is a good thing. So, sorry Kim -- no maid job for you in Maui. Not yet anyway. Which means I have to work today, which I have so far avoided by doing things online, like read Jeff Probt's blog from last night's premier of Survivor Nicaragua. 


Yes, yes, I watch Survivor.  In fact, I love that show!  I especially love it this season (so far anyway) because they split the tribes into the youngens (30 and under) and the geezers (40+) and finally I have a tribe I can cheer for -- GO GEEZERS!  Of course they will probably do horribly in the competitions because, well, they are geezers. But there are a few of them (the ones closer to 40) who are pretty smart and physically fit, so if the challenges aren't like the usual strength ones where they throw each other around in mud, maybe they'll do okay.


I am a little worried about them being in Nicaragua tho.  They are in a remote area, on a lovely beach, far away from the cities and people. But every time they show the monkeys and leopards and cougars and sharks in the footage of their surroundings, I keep expecting machine-gun-toting Sandinistas to come bursting out of the jungle onto the beach.  Or would that be Contras? I get confused.  And I'm probably being horribly non-PC right now, aren't I?  So yes, on to other things.  Like Jimmy Johnson being on the show.  Yes, THAT Jimmy Johnson.  Coach Jimmy J.  He's on the geezer tribe, in case you were wondering.


So um yeah, what have you learned today?  I did not win the lottery, I watch Survivor, and I'm pretty non-PC about things Central America . I think that's enough for now.  Discuss.

Lottery

Today's the day we are going to win it.  Just thought you'd all like to know, especially if Bob and I disappear tomorrow.  You'll know why.  Well, it'll either be the lottery or alien abduction, I suppose.  I'm hoping for the lottery win, as I suspect that I would not be fond of being "probed" by aliens.  Unless they look like George Clooney, and don't probe me "there" -- but I digress.


We always talked about "winning the lottery" but, well, we never bought tickets. So around my birthday, we started buying them. In fact the first one we bought may have actually been ON my birthday, which was a Wednesday (we play Powerball, Weds and Sats).  I figured since it was my 50th birthday, we were sure winners for that day. Alas, we did not even get one number right.  But today that all changes because I bought the ticket.  Our new plan is Bob will buy the $1 ticket on Saturdays, and I buy them on Wednesdays.  That plan just started, so today was the first one I bought, and of course it will win us the $94 Million Jackpot. Duh.


We do not play random numbers -- we play six numbers that are meaningful to us. I cannot tell you those numbers because if I did, then we'd have to share the Powerball pot with you. But because they are "special" numbers, and we play the same ones every time, we are sure to win, if not today than soon.  I'm just sure of it.  I mean, someone has to win, why not us? We are nice people. We are kind to animals and reasonably pleasant to humans, sometimes. And we would do good things with the money, after we got back from "disappearing" for about a month to avoid the inevitable media attention and people wanting handouts from the new rich ministers.  We will most likely be in Australia or New Zealand, maybe, or Clooney's house on Lake Como, if he rents it out, but I can't tell you exactly where (media again) -- we will check email though on our new iPhones.

What else would we do with the money?  Well, dear readers, anyone who reads my blog regularly and comments occasionally -- you will receive a lovely bottle of wine.  Oh hell, make it a whole case of wine!  Next we will buy a new house -- a ranch for sure, with no stairs, because Kayla and I struggle with stairs these days.  And the washer/dryer will be those cool ones Kelly Ripa talks about in those commercials, and they will be right off the master bedroom, like at Lezi Acres, so our maid won't have to walk as far to put away our neatly folded clean clothes.  And while it won't be too fancy or ostentatious, it will have one of those internal house vacuum cleaner things (to make it easier for the maid, again), and there will be a swimming pool with long lap lanes outside, and a jacuzzi, with a lovely view of the Pacific Ocean.  Oh, did I forget to mention?  The house will be on Maui.  Or maybe the Big Island.  But you are welcome to visit as we will have many guest rooms.


You're welcome.

Oh Lindsay

Thank the Goddess today is my day off.  I need it!


I "slept in" until 7am (on Saturday I slept until 8:30am, it felt decadent but good since I was sick) and then got up for hot tea and toast (and Sudafed) followed by a shower, laundry load out of washer and into dryer, and a trip to the grocery store soon after.  I wanted to get my chores done before I started feeling bad (for some reason I feel a bit better in the mornings and then crash in the afternoons) and so I could relax the rest of the day.  My plan was to sit on the deck and read and relax and drink lots of fluids (with Airborne in a few of them) -- but I have nothing to read.  My next book club book is on order, and I have nothing else sitting around.


As luck would have it, my October Vanity Fair was in the mailbox as I headed to the Jewel, so my reading material was covered.  I got in and out of the Jewel (why do some of us call it "The" Jewel instead of just Jewel?) as fast as my stiff, sore, crippled legs would carry me (yes, in addition to this ridiculous cold, the weather shift from dry to humid and back to dry again over the weekend made my arthritis go nuts).  I unloaded the groceries, leaving the heavy, non-cold items for Bob to carry up, got the cold items in the fridge, and then I plopped my butt in a gravity chair out on the deck, in the shade, with a grapefruit Airborne tablet and a class of water.  Kayla joined me.


I talked to Mom and Bob in between flipping through the early pages of VF (ads, short columns, celebrity pictures which usually include George Clooney, tho not this time) and then settled in to read about poor Lindsay Lohan.  What a crazy hot mess this poor girl is.  Err, woman, she's 24, evidently.  I wish someone like Drew Barrymore (who had a rocky youth with addictions and craziness) would kidnap her and/or take her under their wing and help her find her way out of the darkness of her crazy and messy life.  She is quite a good actress, but she's also so ...... well.  She's lost.  She's in denial.  She's full of blame for everyone except herself. And her mother, well, oy. I'm afraid if she doesn't get some serious help she's going to end up one of those tragic young Hollywood stars who die much too young.  To have so much talent -- and then to get SO MUCH while so young. Some handle it well, others, not so much.  I wish her luck.


Lunch break, email check, blogging ....... and now back to the deck to read about Sarah Palin, who gets no sympathy from me even tho she too, is one crazy hot mess.

Sick

I've been sick since Thursday night, so have not been blogging.  Have not been doing much of anything, actually.  I thought it was just bad allergies on Thursday afternoon, but by Thursday evening it was apparent it was much more than allergies and was a full-fledged bad cold.  So I took it easy Friday, felt better Saturday, but am crashing and burning now on Sunday afternoon after a full morning at church.  I am feeling a bit feverish (YAY) and headachey, and a cough is starting.  Oh joy.  So um, yeah, I'm going to lie down now.


I hope George doesn't choose today to drop by and meet me.  


P.S.  D-Dub won at coffee on Thursday, I lost.  He's stronger than he looks.

No, George has not called yet

But I am sure he will soon, after Dick Durbin tells him about the letter. It IS Michael Buble's birthday (he turns 35 today), and he has not called my sister yet either.


Men.


Off soon to meet with D-Dub over coffee to talk about a local educational panel we are hosting in October called "Children of Abraham" featuring a Christian, a Muslim, and Jew (walk into a bar?)  with the Unitarian Church.  I want D-Dub to be on the panel -- he wants me to be on the panel. We shall arm wrestle over it.  Or maybe Rock, Paper, Scissors? Seriously, if we want people to come, he needs to be on the panel.  He's D-Dub after all, and he's well known, and will bring people in.  I'm not that famous.  Yet.  Just give me time.


Oh, and so I went to swim this morning.  I was sooooooooo tired I almost didn't go. (I slept like crap last night, made the mistake of reading the online comments to the letter to the editor just before bed -- not a good idea.)  On the drive tot he gym I almost turned around halfway there and came home, just soooooooo tired.  Got there, got out of the car, and then almost cried when I realized they were going to be closed tomorrow and Saturday to put in new carpet -- they would have been tears of joy had I actually cried.  I swam, came home, and thought about going back to bed. 

Alas, D-Dub awaits.  Wish me luck.  

Senator Dick Durbin called ....

A letter that was the joint-effort of several NCC ministers appeared in the Pantagraph today:


Regarding the heated controversy over the proposed Islamic Community Center in Lower Manhattan, and growing prejudice toward mosques across the nation, we the undersigned clergy of New Covenant Community, Normal, offer the following thoughts.


The U.S. Constitution calls for separation of church and state, guaranteeing the right of all religions to practice freely. The proposed NYC Islamic Community Center is similar to earlier YMCAs, which often contained space for worship, but served many social needs. This project will represent authentic Islamic values and is consistent with the long tradition of American religious freedom. Just as importantly, it seems likely to help counter the terrorist perversion of true Islam.


The vast majority of Muslims, both here and abroad, like most Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, etc., value and practice socially positive aspects of their religion. Like people of other faiths, they are good citizens and productive members of our diverse society. If we can listen to one another and learn to appreciate our diversity rather than vilifying one another, we undoubtedly have much to gain.


We believe the Islamic Community Center can make a positive contribution to religious and social life in New York and across our country.


The Revs. Bob and Susan Ryder, Normal 
This letter was also signed by five other ministers from New Covenant Community 


So of course the crazy comments started on the Pantagraph web site, which is par for the course.  You could submit a letter about loving kittens and a bunch of whackjobs would log on and post nutso responses.  I locked to doors to the house, told Kayla not to answer the phone if it rang, and headed to the office.  

The red light was blinking on the office answering machine, and I thought, "oh boy, here we go!" expecting some raving lunatic messages.  There was one message. Whew, not bad, only one so far ... oh well, let's get it over with.

"Reverends Bob and Susan Ryder, this is Senator Dick Durbin..."  WHAT?!?

"I was staying overnight in Bloomington and picked up the morning paper."  Poor man, clearly no one warned him to stay away from that rag.

"I saw your letter to the editor and I just want to thank you and congratulate you for stepping up and saying what you did about the Islamic/Muslim population in America."  Why you are quite welcome Senator Durbin!

Yes, I transcribed the phone call -- wouldn't you?!?!

"I really believe that what you said is what America is all about and as more and more people of faith stand up and say the words that you said, we can put this unfortunate and sometimes hateful chapter behind us.  It just did my heart good to hear what you had to say, and to realize there are true leaders in the faith community, in the Christian community, who are willing to stand up for what this country is all about.  So my very best to you and all of the ministers of New Covenant Community, I really want to congratulate you, thank you."

Then the time stamp:  Wednesday, 9:26am ... I missed him by 10 minutes!  OY!  But then I realized, well, if I had been there and answered the phone when he called, there would be no recording of his call for posterity.  Not to mention that I would have started babbling nonsense to the poor man in my star-struckness.  Just imagine:

Susan:  Hi, this is Susan.

Dick:  Hello, am I speaking with Rev. Susan Ryder?

S:  Yes you are

D:  This is Senator Dick Durbin calling ...

S:  Bob, knock it off, I have a meeting to get to, quit messing around.

D:  No really, this is Senator Dick Durbin.

S:  Really?

D:  Yes, really. I was staying overnight in Bloomington and picked up the morning paper today and saw your letter ...

S:  Oh yeah? Cool.  Where did you stay? I hear the new Marriott is nice.

D:  I just want to thank you and congratulate you for stepping up and saying what you did about the Islamic/Muslim population in America.

S:  Um, you're welcome ...

D: I really believe that what you said is what America is all about and as more and more people of faith stand up and say the words that you said, we can put this unfortunate and sometimes hateful chapter behind us.  

S:  Um, yes, that would be, err, a good thing, yes.

D:  It just did my heart good to hear what you had to say, and to realize there are true leaders in the faith community, in the Christian community, who are willing to stand up for what this country is all about.  

S: Thank you so much Senator Durbin .... and so, um, does this mean we get to meet President Obama? Maybe get invited to an overnight at the White House?

D:  Err, so my very best to you ...

S:  Do you know George Clooney?  I'd rather meet George Clooney ...

D:  ... and all of the ministers of New Covenant Community.

So um, yeah, it's best he got the answering machine. Heh.

Happy Labor Day!

So, Bob did not "rest" as planned this weekend.  Instead he decided to undertake two major "home chores" this weekend.  So on Saturday he mowed the lawn, then rented an aerator to aerate the lawn, then he seeded the lawn, which required watering the lawn.  On Sunday he power-washed the deck after cleaning it with some special deck cleaner.  It took him all day because he is so meticulous and does such an expert job.  This morning he was up early to water seal the deck, which went much more quickly than cleaning it, and he was finished by 10am.  Then he proceeded to continue to water the newly seeded lawn, and clean out some of our gardens.  As it turns out then, Labor Day weekend for Bob included a lot of labor!


I am hoping that for the rest of the day he can get some relaxing in -- or if not relaxing, perhaps he can do things he enjoys, like go train some dogs at the Humane Society.  We just had lunch (I grilled hot dogs for us) and he says he's going to straighten up his office (more work) and watch some long-ago taped golf tournament because that stupid telethon has preempted US Open Tennis for today, which he was hoping to watch (why it has to be on TWO stations at the same time is beyond us ...).  Frankly, while I appreciate the good work Jerry Lewis has done for MDA, he's old, grouchy, and looks like he's about to expire -- I cringe when I see him on TV, to be honest.  So I am going to propose that if they take the stupid thing off the air, I'll donate money to MDA.  As long as it's on, no money from me.  Think it will work?


Yeah, sorry, I'm a crabby-ass today. I'll probably go to hell now for the Lewis/MDA comments.  Oh well.  As long as Jerry Lewis isn't there, I'll be cool.  Um, so yeah, Happy Labor Day everyone!  hahahaha

Weekend of Rest!

Well, for Bob anyway, and he needs it.  He is off work for 3 whole days (Sat, Sun, Mon) and it's made him a new man.  He's happy, relaxed, and back to being the old Bob.  Here's hoping for a September snowfall and an early golf course closing!


I, on the other hand, still have to finish my Reflection, go to the grocery store, run off the bulletin, lead worship Sunday morning, and then go to a meeting after the service.  So my weekend of rest will begin about 1pm on Sunday afternoon.  


I did sneak in a bit of R and R yesterday afternoon as soon as Bob got home.  It was sooooo glorious outside (cool, clear, breezy) that we plopped our happy butts on the big damn deck, turned on some music, and drank a shot of Patron.  Then we switched to wine with some snacky bits, and more music, followed by dinner (a large salad with greens, chicken, craisens, tomato and cucumber from the neighbor's garden, carrot slivers, and sunflower seeds, all tossed in a delicious Balsamic Vinaigrette), more wine, AND to cap the perfect evening off, we sat in the hot tub for the first time in ages (it's just been to darn hot to enjoy it).

Bob stayed awake the entire time, until close to 11pm as I recall.  Then we slept in this morning until 7am, with the windows wide open, relishing the cool 50 degree temps.  Now we are up and about -- lottery ticket is purchased, coffee downed -- and soon I will make our traditional Saturday morning breakfast (bacon, fried eggs, potatoes, toast, and best of all, MIMOSAS!) which we will likely enjoy out on the big damn deck.  After which I will likely fall asleep (champagne makes me sleepy) which puts the bulletin and Reflection in jeopardy, but I plan to be brief tomorrow, and the bulletin, well I can run it off Sunday morning if I want.


This evening we will grill steaks, and enjoy corn on the cob, out on the big damn deck (less breezy today thank goodness) with more wine and music.  And if our neighbors are lucky, we may just dance.

RAIN!

We got an inch of rain yesterday and a bit more today -- our lawn must be so happy! It's still brown in large places (green in the shaded areas tho) but hopefully some rain and the cooler temps they are predicting this weekend will green the whole thing up.  So far it's cooler but still rather steamy out there, but the sun is trying to break through and the weather people are saying it'll only be 74 tomorrow.  Not that they are ever correct but hopefully they are this time -- it would be nice to sit outside on the deck and enjoy some of this holiday weekend!

We, as always, have no plans.  We can't go away for the weekend because we work Sundays, and, well, where would we go?  But if the weather is as nice as "they" say it will be, we will enjoy some BBQ and deck time, and maybe a Netflix movie or two or three.  Bob will have three straight days off, which he REALLY needs.  He is at that time of the season when working 60 hours a week really gets to him, and he is quickly burning out at the golf course. His boss is burning out too and getting grumpy and snarly, snapping at Bob, his best worker, for no good reason, which Bob doesn't think is worth the measly pay he gets.  To help give him hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel, our plan at this point is for him to work through Boy's State tournament in mid-October, and then quit for the season instead of working through mid-December.  He doesn't feel like he can quit now and leave them short-handed for the Boy's State tourney, which I totally understand.  But I wish he could because he's so tired ...


I should be working, not blogging ... getting that Reflection done early so I can enjoy some of Saturday with Bob.  So off I go!