Girl on Fire

"You can't have that!" an alarmed neighbor shouted at me this evening as I opened my front door. "There are embers flying everywhere!"

She was right of course. Not that my grill is actually a hazard, but it is technically against the rules of our homeowners' association. She was seeing my charcoal chimney at the point when it was ready to be emptied.

I looked at her dully. "Okay," I shrugged.

"I almost called the fire department!" she scolded me.

I nodded. That would be exciting, I thought.

Her dog was practically tugging her arm off. "Will you put that out?" she asked as her dog literally pulled her away.

"Yes," I called after her.

"When I'm done cooking," I added more quietly.

Oh Say Can You See?

So,

my family was generous enough to get me the electric uke for my birthday, and it's awesome! Unfortunately, though, the amp was back-ordered [until November!], and although I have been enjoying breaking in my cool new ukulele, it hasn't been quite what I was looking forward to.

So,

a couple of days ago, I took matters into my own hands and ordered a perfectly respectable 10 watt Fender amp.

And,

it was delivered today!

Friends, I cranked up the volume and hit the overdrive for a little distortion, and may I say? Jimi Hendrix has got nothin on my version of Jingle Bells!

I Wanna Rock!

I like techie gadgets, and to be honest, having one of the first iPad this, iPhone that, or other Apple thingie gives me a certain level of "cool" with my sixth graders. It also gives us something to talk about.

Just this spring one of the kids got a pretty nice fitbit watch from his mom. "Why did you choose the Apple watch?" he asked me, and away we went on a ten minute conversation that ended with Apple pencils.

We all have iPads courtesy of our school district, but none of them are compatible with that nifty technology. "I'm verrrrry tempted," I told him, "to ask for an iPad pro for my birthday. I want to see what it's like to combine manual writing and electronic convenience."

He nodded.

I shrugged. "It's either that or an electric ukulele," I said.

His eyebrows shot up. "Oh man!" he threw up his hands. "You gotta go for the..."

"Ukulele!" we finished together.

"I know!" I said, "I know!"

Just a Matter of Time

A year ago today I was in the 49th state of the Union, Alaska, and although on my first full day there, I considered somewhat of a beautiful novelty, I had no idea how that crazy state purchased for 2 cents an acre, covering over 1/6th of this country, but having only 2 percent of the population would get into my head and leave me a little Alaska-crazy myself.

I read recently that most people who visit Alaska visit at least twice, and I can't say that I know why, but I can say I understand it.

We'll be back, Alaska.

Keeping the Bar Low

My Apple watch has an activity tracker on it which I enjoy using. It's kind of nice at the end of the day to see the ring graphic circle around to the 12 o'clock position, indicating that I have completed (or nearly completed) my daily exercise goal. Today, though, I went on a 2 hour bike ride with Heidi and Emily, and when I got back?

That thing was spinning like a top!

Perhaps I should raise my expectations?

Nah.

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.