Day Two Hundred Twelve

Eddie kitty (that's what I'm calling him) was so laid back asleep on this cushion in this seen-better-days wicker rocker that, honestly, I thought he was dead. Then I saw his little fat belly pumping, so I didn't have to do kitty cat CPR. I had to take this picture through a window of the patio door (or porch door--we have no patio) because I knew if I went out there, he'd wake up and lose this cute pose. I tried sneaking out the front door, but by the time I got around to the back, he was already alerted by the snapping of twigs and branches (I'm not very stealthy). Oh well. That's why I photograph mushrooms.

Day Two Hundred Eleven

Afternoon fun at Mom's place....

These juicy red cherry tomatoes are only a small part of the harvest taking place in my sister Ann's summer garden. And those cute hands holding the bounty belong to grand daughter Shelby.

A flock of Canadian geese hang out where my mom lives. They love the pond. These geese are banded and I'm guessing someone is studying their flight patterns and migration habits. My niece Julia and I were trying to take some pictures of them today. We managed to get a few shots, but we also ended up spooking them into the pond. Here some of them flee to the other side.

And they promptly take off and fly away, probably to another quieter pond where there is no paparazzi.

Ann took all the kids up on the hill for the traditional rock tossing into the pond. Son in law Kerry pulled off some pretty impressive rock skipping as the rain drops began to fall on our heads.

Caught a snapshot of one of Kerry's rocks in mid skip as it traveled the length of the pond.

Peace Lily says, "Peace, y'all!"

My sister Jane helps Snuggles the resident cat strike a reluctant pose on the front porch. If looks could kill....(We all refer to him/her/not sure which as Persian because it seems to be a Persian type cat--it's sporting its summer haircut).

Day Two Hundred Ten

Progress.....

This is not a pretty picture. I heard them coming two days ago--their back hoes and bulldozers and other weapons of mass destruction. And I hoped it was just something they were sent to fix at one residence along our old street. But they kept on coming and today they landed in front of my house and spent the afternoon digging up the street, the sidewalk and the front yard. As it turns out, they are moving all the water meters off the sidewalk and into the yards of each residence. I'm still not clear on why this must be done. The guy in charge assured me they'd replace the pavement and the sidewalks and the grass in the front yard. Something it seems we already had until they tore it all up just to move a water meter three feet. That's progress, folks.

Day Two Hundred Nine

Sidewalk chalk artist Elijah. He told me this is a pumpkin which led to a conversation about how he was Elmo ('Melmo') last Halloween.

And here he is wearing some of his sidewalk chalk. It's a good thing I got a picture of his artwork, because a gully washer of a flash flood washed it all away later this afternoon.

Day Two Hundred Eight

Happy 24th Anniversary, Jane and Don!

My sister Jane and her husband Don were married July 27, 1985--24 years ago today! Here they are back in the day when they first started dating. Jane doesn't look old enough to date, and Don reminds me of Dan Fogelberg in this picture (that's a compliment, Don). And here they are 24 years later, still the loving couple and a role model for a great marriage, only with grayer hair!

God bless you today and always. I love you both. You guys rock!

And as an added bonus in today's post, my mom's recipe for Lemon Icebox Pie. She used to make this pie often and we all loved it. Today I made it with limes instead of lemons. It's very easy to make and can be ready to eat in minutes. Try it. You'll like it!