Sunday again?

Here's how you can tell the difference between a dog-lover and Me. A dog-lover wouldn't mind their pet smelling like a dog. It's a good thing Sparky's cute. I've bathed him twice in the last two weeks. Then I found out Westies shouldn't be bathed often because they're prone to dry skin and skin problems. I use a towel to wipe him down each time I take him out, and I brush him. He just smells like a dog. Not his fault. On the upside, I like going for walks with him. So far I haven't had to take him out in the rain, and it's not cold yet. Yes, I'm attached to him. I just wish he didn't smell.

I was looking over some old posts and saw I wrote about planting a zillion zinnia seedlings in the spring. It was wonderful having a large cutting garden on the far side of my house. I'm glad that's where it was because the bottoms of the plant got powdery mildew and dried out, but they kept producing beautiful flowers. Next spring I'm going to look through catalogs so I can find even more varieties. I'm also going to plant a second batch halfway through the summer. I just picked these today.

I thought I'd multi-task and include a picture of my new iPhone with the flowers. I got it on Friday. So excited! I got a cool red case for it today. I love new electronics! My nephew is selling my iPhone4 for me; I'm hoping to cover the cost of my new one. I know some people who get a new phone every year by selling their old ones on Craigslist. That could be me next year. I'm still loving my iPad. I use it all the time. About the only time I use my laptop is to write my blog. And as you know that's hardly ever.

Till the next time...

Goodnight Sunday

It felt good to write in my blog again and very nice to get responses. It's the end of a long Sunday. It was absolutely beautiful outside. I wish I could have gotten out on my bike but I'm still nursing whatever's going on with my knee. I might try it tomorrow. We're having such beautiful weather here in Maryland. I think the high for today was 70°. It's lovely. Even though I wish I could still be swimming in the pool, there's a lot to be said for fall weather.

My daughter has always wanted a dog but not me. I've never wanted a dog. I've always said that I'm missing an animal gene because I've never felt any affection for any animal expect my bird. More specifically my first bird, Zeus. Emily got a dog about six months ago. A beautiful Westy puppy named Sparky. So, we have a pet. I'm getting used to it. I'm Sparky's aunt. He's been a pain because he's had no training. He doesn't know how to walk on a leash. He doesn't know any commands. No "no", no here, no nothing. He walked us. Sparky's been a bad dog. Well, it just so happens that I have a client who calls himself a dog whisperer. He spoke to my daughter when she first got Sparky, but none of his words of wisdom stuck. Today Mike came to our house to train us. Amazingly, a miracle occurred. We became the Alphas. Sparky is obeying us. Today is just day one, but we're off to a great start. !

I made a great Mediterranean chicken dish for my book club. It's been ages since I cooked anything using a recipe. I cook pretty plain. This dish had chicken, olive oil, lemon, oregano, kalamata olives, onions, garlic, tomatoes and feta cheese. Its a keeper! The book (I didn't read) was Song of Achilles. Since it took place in Greece, we all made Greek food. What an epicurean delight. I'm so thankful to be a part of my book club. I picked our next selection, Gods in Alabama, by Joshlyn Jackson. It's a great, great book. I know the book club is going to love it.

Well, I feel I'm rambling. Time for bed. I'm going kayaking first thing in the morning!

Been a long time

Hi! It would have been nice to announce a blogging break instead of dropping completely out of sight. Had I have known, I would have. I just stopped writing. I never planned on not coming back. Here I am!

I just looked over my last post and find it hard to believe it was so long ago. June! I want June back. I want summer again. I was talking to a client the other day and telling her things I don't like about the long, long winter. The bare trees, etc. She pointed out that she loves the beauty of bare trees silhouetted against the sky with deciduous trees for contrast. I'm going to embrace that point of view as best I can. Remember to look for the sunny side in things.

It's been a great summer. I'll just do a short recap. I did a lot of planting in the spring, and really enjoyed my garden. I started out spending a lot of time at the Naval Academy, then not so much. I spent a lot of time in Annapolis, then not so much. I took up swimming again, and got a lot of joy out of that. Because of swimming I developed a lot of neck pain, and had to be satisfied with only about 7 laps per day, but that was OK. I took up bike riding again too, and have racked up over 300 miles during the course of the summer. I went kayaking twice with a friend and once with Rob and loved that! I usually don't exercise at all, and it feels good to be healthier and in better shape. I don't think it's going to last. I memorized the feel of swimming on the last day the pool was open, and the way the light was reflected in the water. I knew it was the last time. I hurt my knee the last time I biked. I hope that wasn't my last time of the season.

It was an expensive summer. I got a new roof. Not a fun way to spend money at all!!! I also had two huge trees taken down. And new tires put on. And I lost my glasses! I still need to buy new ones.

I went on some fun trips this summer. I did some day trips with my friend Kit and with Happy One. I RV camped with my brother and his family for a few days in Urbanna, Va. Rob and I went on vacation for a week to Ocean City, MD. We biked, kayaked, etc. It was great. I missed going to Myrtle Beach, but just couldn't do it this year. The great thing about going local was the much shorter drive. I also visited my cousins on their vacation in Stone Harbor, NJ. We had such a great time together. I only stayed for 3 days; I wish it could have been longer. The end of August I went to my niece's wedding in GA. My mother, daughter, sister, brother and niece and I all flew down together for 4 days. It was wonderful.

So, that's the short version. I hope it will get me started.

Let me know if you read this; I'd love to hear from you!