ALMOST Summer.

 These are the days that semi-prepare us for the REAL summer--you know, the 115 to 120 degree days that just melt your mere thoughts of moving around. So today there are clouds in the sky. And yes, Donny Anderson mowed today. It really makes mine much more obviously in need of a good mowing. But called the boys about mowing today. Really don't think mowing right now is going to be the best thing in the world for me. DID go get two hundred pounds of feed and some Farnam Wound-Kote for Thompson at the feed store. Have water out back in the big black plastic tub that should be warm enough for both dogs to get a bath. That will probably be all the back bending that will happen today unless yours truly gets really optimistically energetic and feeling great. Yeah, right.

Got two plums off the dwarf plum tree--a great harvest! Think all the cherries are gone off the two dwarf cherries. Really was not thinking too clearly when these trees needed to be planted. Should never have put them that close to the house. And the Crepe Myrtle touches the plum tree limbs. Oh well. Maybe it won't matter in a few years. Meanwhile, they shade part of the house and the west side of the deck. Had put curtains across there at one time, but that was not very successful. That western sunshine is just mighty strong and hot.

Connie paid for lunch today at Denny's. The waitress was pretty lackadaisical, but the food was good. And hardly anyone was in the restaurant. The building needs some cleaning--cigarette butts in the atrium on the floor--bleah. But then, Denny's has always been that way. Anyway, a good meal with good company. We came back to the house, and Connie got her dog therapy. Sylvia took good care of her, and Thompson let her know he cares.

Reading a book that has hit a really sad spot from during the disaster that began the Depression. People really had to be pretty inventive to make it through those years. I can see that happening in our not too distant future if things continue to go south. A nation that keeps going deeper and deeper in debt cannot possibly remain financially sound no matter what the politicians tell us. It is pretty easy to get paranoid over stuff like that, but realistically, it has happened before and could just as easily happen again.

Just glanced out the front window and saw a cloud shaped just like a jumping kangaroo! It is such a distinct shape and immediately made me think of Australia! Had to laugh about "shapes" and stuffed critters that remind me of other animals. Sylvia has a dinosaur that has now lost one front arm. One squeaker still works, but the big squeaker in its butt has given up the squeak. It looks a lot like that kangaroo in the sky right now--one arm and one back leg!

Kinda think some beets are coming to Dickerson Hill here in a bit if everything works out. Have some eggs for Cari, and her dad has a garden--with beets and other veggies. Great trade! Really enjoy beets. Did you ever eat a bate of beets and then notice the color of your urine? Pink. At least they don't make stuff stink like asparagus does. Whew! That is some strong odor! Now maybe this is one of those TMI situations--too much information? Oh well.

The Jerusalem artichokes are getting taller every day, but they won't start putting on any real roots until they start blooming. Not really sure when they are supposed to be harvested after they bloom, but surely something on the internet will explain how far along the plant should be before it is time to harvest. Jennifer told me that while they don't have much carbohydrate, they have a high insulin index. Not sure exactly what that means, but if they will work instead of potatoes, so be it. Think the gut appreciates the Jerusalem artichoke MUCH better than it does the potato, but the tubers simply do not last very long in the fridge--where they HAVE to be stored for up to ten days. Anyway, looked into recipes and most of them sound reasonable.

Speaking of good food, Wendy S. kept showing pictures of the hospital food--looked really good. So today she got to go home where she can make her OWN food. Uh oh. Don't think she would want to go back just for the food though! Thank you for the prayers for her.

Will see my friend Donna this Thursday if nothing goes south. Hope to hear more about her granddaughter and how things are going. Having a child has never been the simplest thing, but carrying one can really be dangerous for the mother--not just miserable. 

Really don't know much this evening. My big event of the day will be giving baths to these two dogs and then spraying Thompson's backside. Poor baby. Don't think shaving him is in the the realm of likelihood either. Hardly has any hair already! Going to have a dog with a blue butt as it is. Oh well. If this stuff works, that is great.

My prayers are for this nation's wellbeing tonight. Trying not to obsess about our future as it is in God's hands. So meanwhile we just need to practice sharing our love with others in whatever way we can. We are so very blessed.

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.