How Hot Is It?

Hot enough to dry the artichokes. Since my goal this summer seems to be working on an arrangement of dried plants, the warm weather is welcome. Hot weather? Not so welcome. Thank goodness for our tiny little air conditioner that works so hard just to keep the living room bearable. Counting myself lucky that tomorrow I work in an air conditioned environment.

Bounce

We're having a heat wave so we headed toward the water for relief. Treasure Island, that is. Where there just happened to be a flea market going on. (Oh, OK, we knew that... it happens every last weekend of the month). We escaped the heat, ate gourmet food truck food, bought nothing, and sampled chocolates. Captured this on the way out for the photo of the day. Check out the Bliss Statue (originally from the Burning Man Festival) and see what she looks like when lit up in evenings.

On The Ball

Letting go of yesterday's theme of fake flowers, I did attempt to do a bit of yard clean up this morning. Decided to give it another go with a couple of new plants. Little J accompanied me to the nursery and insisted on a healthy ghost pepper plant even though it came with a caution sticker... "warning extremely hot, handle with gloves." So how does one eat a ghost pepper if it's too hot to touch?  I chose a Hummingbird Mint and some basil for my corner of the garden. We'll see who has the greener thumb.

Last errand of the day was Target... Little J is on the Ball.

Wishful Blooms

The truth is yesterday's deer do not make today's blooms. Look a little closer and you will see. These purple roses are the best I can do. They came from Michael's craft store. Just another example of garden art from the Wittsend. Bonus, the deer don't eat them.

Last Supper

One of our favorite restaurants is closing soon. We've visited this restaurant site for forty plus years and fondly remember when it used to be Cape Cod House, the best seafood restaurant in town. Always seemed strange to eat Mexican fare there for the last few years. Apparently the city decided we need more condos and less restaurants. Not sure when it's closing and the coupons still come in the mail so taking advantage of it while we can.

Bambi x 2 vs Ears

There was excitement in Little J's voice this morning when he woke up to two Bambi surprises in the front yard. They are almost tame in an uncanny kind of way, not too easily startled. It was the mama who came along and disrupted their peaceful rest. Oh well, we could only spend a short while admiring them anyway since we were out the door early to prepare for an important adventure.

Of course Little J didn't want me to post any back sided views of his hospital garb so I caught just a piece of it while we were waiting for his surgery. Less than an hour later, with a new set of ear tubes, he now finds out he can hear quite well. Big bonus for me... the doctor promises that Little J will now immediately clean his room on the first request. No more "I didn't hear you" excuses. Thinking teachers will be pleased as well.

Mended Windows

You break it;we fix it. Summer air conditioning model. Free. Call 1 800-BEWIRED.

If We Build It, Will They Come?

Actually Little J & I completed this project quite some time ago and I probably already posted a pictures of our birdhouse project. I'm doing this today in memory of the rescued baby hummingbird that Little J so tenderly cared for... it died this morning and is buried under the birdhouse projects. Maybe more healthy ones will come. (I know... this is not a hummingbird house!)

Lunch Before Follies

The Molls and a few friends enjoyed lunch at Strizzi's in Pleasanton before attending the Golden Follies. Lunch was delicious. The Follies were entertaining (if only I could kick that high when I'm 80 something, I'll be happy). Companionship outstanding as always when hanging out with Red Hat friends.

What the Truck

Lots of interesting things to photograph today at Jack London Square "What The Truck" event. 

Guess I was drawn to this one because it's purple. 

My favorite truck stop was the Ice Cream Taco Truck. Little J's favorite would be the Game Truck which contained five large video screens and a truck load of video games. Thinking this might be a useful investment for Little J's 12th birthday party.

Meanwhile, Grandpa waited patiently at Jack London's old hang out.

Morning Visitor

It's always a pleasure to find these guys sleeping in my front yard when I go out to get my morning newspaper. Not so happy are the neighbors who live behind tall fences to keep their garden beautiful. To each his own I say. Even better was seeing two little bambi's scampering up our nature friendly hillside. I'll take my weeds and nature for now. Flowers to decorate the dinner table are an inexpensive venture to Trader Joes and look at all the water I save.

Karate Kid

Enough lazing around playing video games. Time for some action. Last night I downloaded the 7 Minute Work. Thinking it might be beyond a grandma's capabilities, I figured I should observe someone of young years so I challenged Little J to try it out while I sat back and watched the timer go around. Of course it was a piece of cake for him but yes he did work up a sweat. Thinking maybe I can modify it for me... notice I said maybe. Meanwhile, there's always Karate... for Little J, not Grandma.

Summer Boredom

School's been out for a week and grandma purposely let him play all the video games he wanted. Fact is, I've been busy readying office for the move so needed to use the electronic babysitter. Now that we got that out of his system and the office is looking good, it's time to move on.

Back There

Waiting in car for Little J. What to do for an hour. Why not take 365 photo of the day. But what could be of interest here? Find something. Anything. Look back. There it is. Am I bored or what?

Eyesore or Monument?

This little section of my garden might be an eyesore to me but it's a monument to my oldest son. Three years later, it still brings back those bad memories of the day the puppies died. Somehow I envisioned this spot would be a garden for annual flowers; something living and fresh. Or, just because I sometimes have a sick sense of humor, perhaps a bit of catnip.

How Do I Get Down?

Little J found the Kid Zone at the Cajun Zydeco Festival. Grandma found some good music. Grandpa (and Grandma) found some delicious fried artichoke hearts smothered in baby shrimp sauce. We usually avoid this festival due to usual temps in the 100's but today was a cool eighty something. With filtered bright sun comes burns which we were unprepared for since it was a last minute decision to head that direction after church. Added expense... hats for Little J & Grandma. Oh well, I'm prepared to wear blue on our "hats of another color" event.

Artichoke... again

I left the artichoke on the stalk on purpose to see the purple bloom. Good for the critters too since at attracted a bunch of the baby bees. That is until I showed up with the camera. Oh well, this is the status as of the plant today. Maybe I should bring it in for a dried flower arrangement?

Concentration

Little J and I have talked a lot lately about mindfulness in order to keep focused and on task. No problem during this exercise in concentration. He worked hard and came home with his advanced orange belt. I just discovered each belt color has a meaning. For orange it's "Sprout is blossoming into a plant."

Books for Sale

Interesting way the local library displays used books for sale (you need to enlarge the photo to see that the books are hanging on ropes). Snapped the picture as I was waiting to pick up Little J so the lighting at that hour was not ideal for the shot. I'll admit it; I haven't visited this shop. I do my reading on the Kindle these days. Not exactly the most inexpensive way to feed the habit but then again I don't have all that much time to read. Speaking of reading, school is out as of today. Must get Little J enthused about reading instead of playing on the computers while he's at the library.

Yep, It's Trash

Best I could do today. Tomorrow is our semi-annual big pick up day and I scrambled as best I could after a long work day. The best thing is you get an opportunity to "donate" recycled items the day before and if nobody wants the stuff, it just gets scooped up on dump day. I was surprised to see the items I put down last night did indeed disappear. Old story... one man's junk is another man's treasure.

What's Wrong With this Picture?

Line dancing night so I'm trying to revive after a busy day at work. If only I could get my shoes on the right feet I might not feel like I have two left feet.  Inspiration for this one comes from Lil Sis, who I know goes nutz when she spots shoes lined up this way.

Artichoke

Been under the weather for a couple of days. It all started with cleaning up the kitchen to paint. Managed to get the ceiling and walls washed and began to work on the corners when it hit. Must have been the flu cause it struck like lighting; One minute I'm painting... the next I'm flat out in bed. Two days later and it's a work day. Looks like we'll be living out of kitchen boxes for another week. Meanwhile, in the garden, unsupervised artichoke shows it's stuff. Doesn't matter. Can't find the salt and pepper anyway.

Happy Friday

For Little J on the last Friday of the school year, sending him off for the day with a somewhat balanced breakfast. At least it got a smile out of him in the early morning. The countdown is on for next Thursday, after only half a day, school is out for the summer. Something tells me boredom will set in early. Need to figure out how to keep Little J busy and myself sane.

Almost Ripe

Plums ripen in another month or so and if we're lucky, we get to sample a few before the squirrels get to them. These ones happen be at Job #1 so we might have the office moved before they are ready. Mine at home are another story being small and best suited for the hungry animals that lurk in our yard.

Tree Ornaments

Little J has grown at least half a dozen shoe sizes since he "lost" these shoes. I tend to have blinders when there are things out of place around here, otherwise I'd lose what mental balance I have left. But the other day when the boss came by, he pointed them out. My quick response, "it's garden art." Not going to climb the tree to change that either. Maybe I'll throw a few more pairs up there. See how many it takes before the neighbors say something.

Lavender Buzz

The lavender outside my door at Job # 1 was all abuzz today. Looking closely at the plant, there are many busy bees. I'll miss the scenery outside this office. Meanwhile, we scan, shred, pack... then scan, shred and pack some more. There's an overwhelming lot of stuff to be done. Big changes. Busy bees... busy me.

Clutter Busters

This one is almost embarrassing. Someone should report me to Clutter Busters. Just kidding. Had to move office stuff into storage spot until I finish up painting, cleaning carpets and moving in the new desk. Must remind myself, it's all temporary. But, one room leads to another. Wonder if I can fit my living room into this space.

Pipes

The service at First Presbyterian was the first thing on the agenda today. Lately it's been hit or miss whether I'll show up there. Trying to be unobtrusive during the service, the photo is a bit off. I was focusing on the pipes. It's the best I can do for today's photo. The rest of the day was spent with paint brush and roller in hand. My office is finished except for a few touch ups and for painting at least one wall something other than white. That is if I find the energy.