Oh Dear

Leah broke her camera and she is in Israel-- YIKES--no more photos of the ancient of ancient cities.

I heard loud noises last night, thinking man the private fireworks have gotten intense. My town had their fireworks last night on the wrong night! I wasn't going, but I didn't know I was missing them! 10 more days of being alone. I am not adjusting very well. I don't know how people do it except that they must. If I just track back through my mind, I have never been alone. HMM that's mind boggling. I looked forward to about 2 weeks of it, but the kitchen table is piled up again! I have watched too many movies. not enough paintings. and am here now, not there, wherever there is. I think I shall leave the bungalow and go out to hunt and gather for a while. Today is Sylvia Browne day on Montel, though, and I find her fascinating. Strangely blunt, but fascinating.

July 4--Oops It's Here

I just realized I have no plans--strange to have no plans with no partner at home to have no plans with. Hmmm. I sat in Denny's and read a painting magazine. I got a new tackle box for a hint I read about at least a year ago-- to put out your paint in a tackle box and do plein air painting-- the paint squeezed out of the tubes into the spaces in the top of the box. The seal is very tight when the box is closed, and the other recommendation is to spritz the paint with vinegar water to help it stay moist and not get moldy quickly. I think I will now be actually trying the tip instead of just thinking about it.

Walmart has fresh blueberries today for only $1.50 a pint and are they nice looking. If I hadn't had breakfast at 10 after swimming classes, I'd be eating them now.

My DH has our oldest grandson with him in Maine to "work"-- this week is probably the last chance for number one to straighten up and do something. Summer camp for a child who has had no discipline for most of his 15 years is rather difficult. It is difficult for a grandpa to find a line between employer and grandpa. Being a grandpa is supposed to be fun. I do hope they both make it back here for the remainder of the summer, but I have been teaching too long to think that we have the cure.

That's Not Fair

Henry is just two weeks short of being 2 1/2-- Sunday morning he said "that's not fair." What a hoot, do toddlers really say that already? He is so not a media boy, but he does go to day care...maybe that's it. As you can tell, I babysat last weekend with my favorite toddler in the world. We had a great time. Some new things that I have learned about him lately is that he really doesn't know when he gets hungry anymore, he just starts to fall apart and get mean. One must anticipate hunger, he doesn't. He needs his snack whether he realizes it or not. You should see him dribble a ball, I don't know if it is going to be football or soccer, he's quite the runner and just keeps that ball going. He lives next door to a football coach who is keeping his eye on speedy. I did just realize today that his mother and her twin sister began preschool at his age, they were so ready to be with other kids, I was ready, too.

On to today and me, I swam for about an hour and a half this morning, had a very late two hour lunch with two friends from school and then had my tough Monday evening workout. 45 minutes on the elliptical and 1/2 hour of continuous motion weight circuits. And THEN something completely different-- I came home and finished mowing the yard! Now that is a miracle, I remember staggering home from exercise class barely able to get into bed and now I can mow, woo hoo. Not to mention I am sitting here doing this and drinking a quart or two of green tea. I guess I will be getting up tonight--several times.

OMG He Bought a Dog

Am I shocked or surprised that he has visits from the other side, extremely vivid visits? NO. Am I shocked that he went out a bought a puppy for company....YES! A Siberian Husky! He knows he must walk this dog and take good care of it and housebreak it and all that, but did he think there will be no more overnights for him at Henry's? Or for us together? I don't want to be one of those pet bullies that just brings the dog wihout consideration for the people you are visiting. I have been on the other end of that. Or a weekend in Chicago with other daughter? A cat is easy, fill the bowls, clean the litter, make sure there is plenty of water and go. Dogs need attention. We still do not have a fence. We still both work long hours and many times he is out of the city every day...hmm. guess I'll be one of those people running home from school to take the dog out every day at lunch. My ankle which is actually becoming slightly bent from arthritis will work on a treadmill, but not very well on a sidewalk.

My Child Has Flown.......

Off to Israel for 2 weeks, what a wonderful trip. I hate for Dooce to find this out, but she actually bought a pair of crocs for the occasion. OMG Allyson Kraus is singing.. sorry I am in the middle of a show.

WOW!

The Paul Simon honor on PBS tonight rocks!! Except for the twisting face of Mark Anthony, what a show. And I know almost all of the words. Dear sweet Lyle. What a body of work for Paul Simon.

Relief

I got in for an emergency massage and I am feeling so much better. AAAH. Why did I wait so long in my life to feel worthy of massage therapy? I couldn't even go to the pool this morning I was in so much pain. Now I am going to throw a few things into a bag and head off to baby sit for Henry. We won't be flying on my feet this time, though!