For the Future

We packed away all of Isabel's things today-- her toys, collars, leashes, and hats (don't ask). AND it was super sad, but we decided not to give too much away on the chance that we get another dog sometime in the future, another dog who might like all of the nice stuff Isabel had.

I tried to think of it a little like packing up all the Christmas decorations at the end of the season. It's sad that the holiday is over, but as far away as it seems, you know it will come again, almost before you know it, and you will be really happy then.

Not for the Birds

I love birds, but...

This year has been sooooo dry that any ripe tomato in the garden for more than a day ends up with a beak-sized hole in it and all the liquid sipped right out of it. After more than a day like that, the tomato will rot on the vine, and so this morning after a few days away I had the disgusting and discouraging chore of picking and throwing away about 5 pounds of decomposing tomatoes.

On the plus side? There were another 10 pounds that were salvageable and ready for sauce and quite a few for slicing and ripening on the counter.

And birds?

Look out.

I'm back.

Pull Your Knees in Tight

Our road trip home from Atlanta took us up through Richmond and on to I-95, and we were scanning radio stations and playing Name that Tune as we drove through, envious of the radio wealth they had there: In addition to the Richmond stations, we heard broadcasts from North Carolina, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Petersburg.

There was a time thirty years ago when I was living in Virginia Beach and frequently made that drive up 95 to DC, and so when we came across a station that only played hits of the 80s, it was a little like we had hit an eerie time warp.

Here are some lyrics we heard this evening. Can you name the song?

You got it made with the guy in shades, oh no.

Conventionality belongs to yesterday.

Hey little sister who's your superman?

I think that you're wild
when you flash that fragile smile

Easy Does It

My niece and nephew are starting school on Wednesday. Eek! And today was the open house at their school where they could meet their teachers, see their classrooms, and find out who else is in their classes. Some of their friends are starting middle school, and we certainly recognize the jitters of both kids and parents alike.

It is a big step for sure. "He wouldn't even make eye contact with any of the teachers," one of my sister's friends sighed this afternoon.

"Don't worry," I assured her, "no one's going to hold that against him. We know how stressful this transition can be."

And with that simple comment, my brain slipped right back into sixth grade teacher mode, and I'm that much closer to being ready to get back to work.

Bubba Gump Peach Co.

On our way down here to Atlanta, we stopped in Gaffney, South Carolina, self-proclaimed "Peach Capital of the World." In less than the ten minutes we promised Richard it would take, we had ourselves a half bushel of delicious golden globe freestone peaches. Even though they were conveniently packed in a range of ripeness, it turns out that 50 peaches is kind of a challenge for the six of us to eat.

Oh, not that we haven't given it a pretty good try--

Peach slices, peach smoothies, peach galette, grilled peaches, and chili lime peach upside down cake have all been on the menu so far, with talk of  peach jam, peach pancakes, peach muffins, and maybe a little peach salsa, but still

That's a lot of peaches!

New Dog Old Tricks

My sister's new puppy has been a welcome distraction from losing our own sweet dog. Things that Isabel mastered long ago are still new to Panda, and being around her is a reminder of that canine learning curve. One day in the future, that might come in handy again.

One thing we have been working on teaching her is to recognize her toys by name, and so we got her a little squeaky goat at the pet store today. It is tiny orange velour with a wispy brown beard, and she seems to love it.

It is also kind of fun to tell her, "Panda, get your goat!"

Figuratively Speaking

There were dragonflies everywhere a couple of weeks ago when we went to visit the field of sunflowers famously blooming at a nearby wildlife management area. Darting and wheeling in the washy blue sky, they landed and perched on tall grasses and branch tips like emerald Christmas ornaments in July.

I thought of them today as we criss-crossed Piedmont Park, 650 miles south, scores of dragonflies floating and sailing along overhead. "Look at all of them!" I said to Richard.

"It's an armada of dragonflies!" he exclaimed.

Good one!