Playing Around....Again

It has been said I cannot leave well enough alone.

I have always been the one to move into a new office or classroom, start throwing out and moving things around.  There is very little that is sacred when I am on a rampage.  Yes, I am the guilty one who threw away all the faded scrapes of construction paper and  random Weekly Readers from 1987.

Last night my photograph bank became my latest victim.  I tried to be careful.  I flipped between the "albums" and earlier posts several times making sure I didn't delete photos I had used.  When I first began writing Living Life, I didn't realize I had limited space for photographs and was not very careful in uploading my pictures.  

Well in my moment of deleting I noticed I had four copies of 

.

   

I checked, double checked and tripled checked to make sure I left the correct one and proceeded to delete the extras.  Everything seemed to be okay.  Well I was wrong, as I so often find.  This morning when I posted a comment, a black box with a hyphen (minus sign, dash) appeared. 

Bottom line.... for now (I'll find something I like better) when you see

you will know it is only I.

In checking I find I now have four copies of this photo.  Who knew?

********

Here is a little something that floated out of an old journal this morning. 

If A Dog Was Your Teacher,

you would learn stuff like.....

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.  Allow the experience of fresh air and  the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• When it's in your best interest --practice obedience.
• Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
• Take naps and stretch before rising
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
• When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.  Stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

-unknown

Have a wonderful Monday!

A Favorite Thing

Last summer while browsing the magazine section, at the bookstore, in search of something fresh and exciting I happened upon Hoffman Media's "cottage" publication.  Always a handsome cover, quality papers and published seasonally, it has become a favorite.

Yesterday I came home with the Autumn issue, found a cool place to sit and escaped for a bit.

  

I never tire of the beautiful photographs.

There is something on every page to delight me.

I can imagine finding a cozy spot to spend a cool autumn afternoon
 with a good book and a cup of tea.  Would you like to join me?

I'm already dreaming of transitioning the containers.
It will soon be time to change out the impatiens
for mums and pansies.

The peaches and summer squash will disappear from the bins at the Farmer's Market,
 to be replaced with crisp apples and butternut squash.
Oh I can smell the apple pie baking (it is my one weakness).

Cooler days and approaching holidays mean it's time to head back into the studio.
Are your creative juices beginning to flow?

Are you dreaming of Autumn?
Share your thoughts with me.

Just a Hiccup

We are still without water and at the mercy of the city to fit us into their schedule.  We are so fortunate in that we can turn the water on at the meter for short periods.   We can take quick showers and wash a few dishes.   The second refrigerator is full of bottled water.  There is a container of wipes by each sink for washing hands and cleaning up messes.   I've become very water efficient, and...I've mastered that intimidating tool that is used to turn on the water.   I am feeling a bit like "wonder woman".  ha! ha! ha!

I have had several friends call to rescue me this weekend.  In reality this is just a little hiccup in my day to day routine.  Although I did tell a friend to slap me next time I venture off and begin romanticizing about simpler times gone by.  I am quite happy living in this complicated 21st century with air conditioning, automobiles, refrigerators, Starbucks, and indoor plumbing.


Today I count my blessings!

Dog Days of Summer

Oh yes, the scorching heat, unabating drought, and dogs gone mad.

 All of these are characteristic of "the dog days of summer".  

via

Have you ever wondered why the days between July 3 and August 11 are called "the dog days of summer"?  Some say it because it is so hot it is not fit for a dog.  Others have believed it is because it is a time of plagues, floods and, yes, dogs going mad.


Actually, the phrase was coined during ancient days when it was believed  the "dog" star, Siruis, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, was responsible for the extreme heat, flooding and other heat related disasters and illnesses.   The "dog days" stretch from July to mid August  when Siruis (scorching) rises with and is nearest to the sun.   Some believe (or believed)  Siruis is actually hotter than the sun, and the two being so near one another is the reason for the extreme summer heat in the western hemisphere.  However, Geminus, a first century astronomer and mathematician,  wrote, "this is an error, for the star merely marks the season of the year when the sun's heat is greatest."


Are we nearing the end of this year's heat wave?  There are some who believe that because of precession, "the wobbling of the earth on it's axis", the dates are now July 23 through August 22.   


The Egyptians once believed Siruis was responsible for the Nile's flooding.  Shall we blame the "dog star" for our  recent weather anomalies?
  
I do not know!  I am but a mere collector of random information.

Willie is going to spend a bit of time napping and pondering the subject.


*****


Update:  Do you remember this post..... Oops?  We might actually find the missing valve box.  Yesterday I walked out the front door to find the stone path, running through the garden, flooded.  Presently, we are without water; it was Starbucks for coffee this morning.   The plumbers are here digging up one of the front gardens.  It doesn't sound good.... a portion of the driveway will need to be cut out, the roses and a maple will need to be relocated, another garden destroyed.  Days of turning the water on and off at the water main with a tool that is a little intimidating.  This is a really big oops.  Oh my!  


I think I'll blame the dog days of summer, go hide and play with my watercolors.