Hope all is going well there.

Today at least we seem to be getting a bit of relief from the hot, humid days. It’s been raining on and off since about 4 this morning. Fortunately no storms and the rain has been coming down nice and not in buckets so it’s not too bad. No sun – which I miss but we can’t have everything I guess.

At least I haven’t had to water my veggies and things this summer. The rains have cooperated well and made that less than necessary. I’ve had some fresh peas, beans, tomatoes, and herbs so far. It’s been nice. Since I don’t need a lot (and get tired of eating the same thing over and over), the small amount and variety I have planted seems to be working well. Soon though my tomatoes are going to really start producing and then we’ll see….I guess it’s a very good problem to have.

A couple of people in our office building have had strep throat this past week. I’ve got some of the symptoms but not the higher temperature indicative of it this weekend. I’m hoping my scratchy throat is more a result of having slept with the fans and air conditioner on rather than any viral thing. We’ll have to see. With our health insurance plan going to see a doctor (or more likely a nurse or intern) on the weekend can be quite expensive at times. I’ll have to see how I’m doing tomorrow.

Work – well until the economy improves I’m afraid it’s just going crazy. There’s no slow time and more with less is normal. Unfortunately they are still sending in reviewers on a regular basis to drive us a bit crazy at times.

Best wishes and take care!

Hi,

Hope all is well there.

Weather has been great this weekend! I’m struggling a bit trying to figure out what all these cooler nights mean – after all it is August so we should be much warmer than we are. Some people are saying we’re going to get some really hot weather soon and some people say this is a sign of a really cold winter (neither one of those options sound good to me!).

Still no tomatoes from my garden. Oh well – we’ll see…

Not a lot of free time this weekend – my great aunt (the last one) died. I went to the wake on Friday and the funeral on Saturday. Today we had an 80th birthday party for Dad at his place. It was really a nice time! However that busy weekend stuff has left me very little time to get my normal weekend work done (though I did get a few hours of office work done).
Work – we’ll we made it through another week. So much to do and so little time to get it done in. I hear that from a lot of people – get more done with less resources. It’s a sad statement about business in America.

Well, it’s been a long weekend and I’ve still got a few things to finish off…

Last week was pretty busy with work. It’s getting to the end of the month so I’m struggling with trying to get things done.

At least the weather has been nice. Today was especially nice with the time visiting with family.

Still not much news about my garden producing – lots of blooms, small tomatoes, and things but nothing edible just yet. I’ve got to get my herbs dried (hopefully soon) so that I’ve got them ready to store away. It’s on the list of things to do soon.

Best wishes and take care!

I hope everything is going well there.

Much too cool right now for this time of year - I can’t help but wonder if maybe we’ll have to pay for all this nice weather with some really hot stuff. It is July after all…On the plus side, the fairs and events seem to be doing really well.

Not much yet from my garden. I belong to a local community supported agriculture farm (CSA) where I buy a share at the beginning of the year (my choice was an every other week option). Now every other week I pick up a variety of fruits and veggies. It’s been a very nice addition and it’s helping me to eat healthier so that’s a good thing. This past week, I picked up a box with cauliflower, strawberries, sweet peas, beans, beets, lettuce, and garlic chives. I’m having quite a time figuring out how to use all the stuff which is a nice challenge.

I went to see the new Harry Potter movie yesterday. It’s a good movie but it’s not the same as the book. Lots of laughs in it and the most important storylines in the book seem to be there – it’s just different though.

Well, I need to get a few more things done around here – there’s never enough time on the weekends!

Best wishes and take care!

A man was annoyed when his wife told him that a car had backed into her, damaging a fender, and that she hadn't gotten the license number. "What kind of car was he driving?" the husband asked. "I don't know," she said. "I never can tell one car from another." At that, the man decided the time had come for a learning course, and for the next few days, whenever they were driving, he made her name each car they passed until he was satisfied that she could recognize every make.It worked.
About a week later she bounded in with a pleased expression on her face. "Darling," she said. "I hit a Buick!"

Hi,

I can hardly wait until my garden starts to produce…I did get some lettuce from it but now it seems to be a wait and see. At least with the rains, I haven’t had to water it. I’ve been working on drying some of my basil, parsley, mint, and other herbs. I’m not sure how exactly I’ll use it all but I keep thinking at least it’s a step in the right direction.

More layoffs in the area here…US Cellular and a few other employers have laid off quite a few full-time people. The story in the area is that they’ve hired part-timers because they don’t have to pay benefits and can pay them less per hour. It’s sad…

It is Farmers Appreciation Day here – lots of festivities and a parade today. Last night they set off fireworks – which drove my dog a bit crazy (she’s not a fan of loud or unexpected noises). I have to go set up a booth this morning for work and check on it through the day. This morning, after I do the first set up I’ll head into the office for awhile.

Well, I’d better go and get ready for the day…

Best wishes and take care!

From an e-mail sent to me...

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not makingmy bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .... I will.I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful.But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers,or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding andcompassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before theirhair could turn silver.As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.I've even earned the right to be wrong.So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become.

I am not going to live forever,but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

Interesting thoughts...still working on getting there though...

I hope everything is going well for you.

It was a very hot week here. Humidity has definitely been a challenge in addition to the higher than normal temps. I guess we're not used to it!

July 4th weekend is next weekend. There’s a lot of fireworks planned in the area. The “Rhythm and Booms” was cancelled last night in Madison because of the expected storms – it’s rescheduled to tonight. I would imagine attendance would be much lower with many people having to work on Monday and not wanting to stay out late on a Sunday night. I’m not sure that I’ll be going anywhere for fireworks this year. We’ll have to see what works out.

It seems strange for it to already be almost July…There’s so much I want to get done this summer but I can’t seem to get it accomplished. Of course though – we made it to New Zealand!

Dad has suffered with the heat. Even with air conditioning and fans and things, he’s had a hard time getting through it – mostly its trouble getting his breath.

Work continues to be a real challenge. Its end of the month so there’s just a lot to do and I’m running out of time. I was in the office yesterday morning for a while and I’ll be in the office for a while this afternoon. Just seems like lately I can’t seem to get away from there. I’m still glad though that I have a job and most of the time, I love doing it.

Best wishes and take care!