Rode ten miles on my bicycle and then ran three miles this morning all before 8:00 a.m. Getting ready for the triathlon next month. I wasn't really going for time but just wanted to see if I could go ten miles on the bicycle and then run three miles. This afternoon I will find some place to swim and see what my current time is for swimming 400 metres. Swimming is the event that I don't have to worry about. At least I know I won't drown. Will cruise the sports and bike shoppes to find a suitable "new" road racing bicycle to use in the race. I'm daydreaming about the fiber carbon bikes, but at an average price of two to three grand I will have to settle for a used one, or settle for a titanium or even an aluminum bike. Oh, and get new running shoes. And new training suits. Dang, but this sport may get more expensive than I thought. The $40 entry fee is more than what the 10k running events charge. I'm not worried about how I will do, the best times for triathlons are held by people near my age. There are great swimmers, great bicyclist, and great runners, but it's few people that are good at all three.

Should be up to just under 100 degrees again today. People are betting on when the thermometer will actually hit 100.

The heat index will be at or above 110.

The only real thing that has irritated me about the recent weather is that the winds shredded the leaves on my birds of paradise and banana plants. I know, I got off lucky.

After the past couple of years of drought, my area has had more that enough rain to make up for it and it's nice that everything has returned to the lush green landscape that I so love.

Everyone up north keep your heads down, there are tornadoes about. Do you all have tornado shelters that are basically just dugouts in the side of the hill? On my ride this morning I counted at least eight such shelters. Will take pictures of them tomorrow.

It's been such a busy spring, I'm sorry to see it end... but I'm delighted to welcome summer: The first of my cherry tomatoes will be ripening any day. After that, it'll be a produce blur. The lightening bugs are impatient, and have been putting on dazzling shows for the past week.

Spain was an absolute delight, and I really mean to post photos and a description of our trip. It's just that I was absent during "planting week" so have spent weeks catching up, and am now in "hammock time."

Our front patio addition turned out ridiculously well. It really did turn out like I hoped. We added a low cocktail table with a central fire pit powered by a hidden LP tank, and neighbors have been drawn to it like, well, the moths have. Most weekend and many week nights have ended with Steve and me enjoying the fire, and then neighbors inviting themselves and their friends over. I enjoy the feeling of community and am happy to mix drinks and set out nibbles for them.

The sunflower fort I built with the four year old across the street is now about a foot high. It'll be 10 feet or taller by summer's end. He keeps coming over to survey the progress and see what else is growing in my garden. I'm keeping him apprised of the progress of my baby cukes and tomatoes and he tastes and smells my herbs every chance he gets. He's never seen veggies grow before and seems fascinated by the process. I've even walked in on him giving tours of my garden to other kids. Since his parents aren't gardeners (though his grandparents are) it tickles me beyond measure to "corrupt" him in this way.

One of my coworkers lost her job this month. Her position is being eliminated due to budget realities at the end of the month, and both she and my management seem to be relying on me to mentor her through the transition. She's been working for this non-profit for the seven-year entirety of her adult career, is clinically depressed, and is not coping well, so it's been a heartbreaking challenge. Today she came over so we could take our dogs (she has a greyhound) to the park and then work on her resume.

After some riotous play, I ended up jumping into a lake after her greyhound who decided to jump off a dock (to follow Izzy) and see if she could swim (none can... they lack the fat that makes other dogs buoyant). We laughed hard and then we came back to my house to tackle her resume together. What started out as a sad document that drastically undersold her, turned into an honest and impressive chronical of her skills and achievements. I know it'll serve her well, and I could see her become visibly lifted in the process. It felt so good to be able to do something productive in the midst of what seems to be senseless suffering, and I was grateful for her trust in me.

After she left, I drove to my twice-weekly ESL tutoring appointment and savored the progress we've been making over the past few months. I wonder if teaching English as a Second Language could be a fulfilling second career for me... one that would enable me to see the world, and continue meeting new people as I get older... which is especially important given the statistical realities of having a husband 15 years my senior... Hmmmm. So far, so good.

Oh, I nearly killed myself the other morning. Seriously! It took me 30-45 minutes to realize that the "weird eggy smell" in my kitchen, my sudden headache, spaciness and "brain tickles," my insistently barking dog (a la "Timmy is in the well"), and that "hissing noise" I couldn't locate all had everything to do with the gas burner I extinguished in an expresso brewing mishap but failed to shut off. I finally figured it out when the auditory hallucinations ramped up and I began focusing on what I suddenly realized was the sound of the burner emitting a steady stream of gas. Thank goodness I don't smoke!

Needless to say, Steve was a bit miffed when I relayed the harrowing saga to him while he was away on his business trip! I bought a non-stove top espresso maker today because he vowed to throw away my stove top model the moment he returns tonight.

Other than that and some life and death familial health sagas that promise to play themselves out this summer, nothing much is going on. I welcome the new season and each and every day thereafter I'm lucky enough to walk this earth...

Oh my, Michelle! Smoking would have created a fast exit, but even just flicking on a light-switch can make things go "boom"
I use propane for cooking and drying clothes and heating (at times), be careful!
End of spring - if this is a pre-view of summer to come, I like it! A bit on the cool side, in the upper seventies up to the middle eighties, middle forties to low fifties at night, low humidity, afternoon breezes - hope it lasts.
Last year we had the dry lightning events and the fires, so this is so delightful.
As we have a seasonal water deficit of 20" and no more rain until October, it will be touch and go anyway.
My garden looks good, all the landscaping is established and so doesn't need a lot of water, California Natives, Aussies and South Africans do so well in this climate.
My Grandson Trevor came to visit today, that was such a pleasant surprise! Now that he's driving, he loves to go places. Had been in a Boy-Scout Leadership training camp in my County and decided to come and spend some time with me.
Amazing that a rather sophisticated 17 year old is also in the Boy-Scout organization, he is going for Eagle Scout before graduation from High School, and he also is not embarrassed about being a Scout.
He posted on Facebook something - after a few snide remarks from "friends", saying "so I'm a Boy Scout, get over it!"
He also drives a fifties Classic Mercedes that used to be his Great-Grandmother's, that makes up for the Scout thing, I guess.
Sister C2 and her partner Vivian will be here visiting end of next week, bringing news about sister C1, the one of the War Bride documentary fame, who is in a Nursing home after a stroke. She emailed me pictures, C1 is not speaking, but looks very aware and comfortable and the facility looks very nice. It's the very best that can be expected.
After C2 and Viv lave, daughter Linda and GGD Kailey and GS Trevor will be blowing in for a quickie visit. after that it's me, the tomatoes, the goats and the chickens, dogs. cats and peace and quiet for a while, though I have told everyone that reservations at Casa Lilo's B&B are still open, so we shall see who appears.
So bring on summer, the days will get shorter eventually and in late August the light changes, shadows lengthen, but I love the ambiance.

So good to see what everyone is up to these last days of spring. The plants that survived are making me wish I could stay in the house. It's creep year and next year they shall be glorious leap year. I am seeing the reluctant blooms this year, that next will be gushing forth. I doubt the next tenant will love them as much as I. The house is very close to being done whether I like it or not. I am working with the super realization that every day, the timeframe is drawing to a close. I packed up half of what I own, all the while thinking, "It'll be easier to move this time as I will be half done." all the while constantly thinking, "What if it works out and I have to unpack everything because it works out that I can stay?!", flushing out a smile at the thought. It's all so uncertain still, but each day is tidier. I just can't say it any other way. The projects are getting done, and the finishing work is making it shine. It looks so clean and new. Also, all the stuff in the house is only mine, and all of my stuff is in my house, not scattered to the wind any more. All the stuff that is his, gone. No remnants. As of this morning, all of the bills are in my name. The last time they were was a decade ago. I got an anniversary well wish from a club we belong to on the internet. They don't know we'll "celebrate" our anniversary apart. Him in his house, me in mine. This chapter is particularly difficult right now. At the same time, I am thinking about throwing a couple of parties to show off the hard work daddy, sis, brother, Ed, and others have put into the house. I am having the dual birthday party for my parents (their birthdays are right after the 4th of July), and am preparing for the open house... in my mind. I've moved out a good portion of the furniture and packed up the "personal" stuff so the house can be put on the market. I hope I "steal it out from under" everyone!!!!!!!!!!!! (((((big grin))))))

We went swimming this incredibly hot weekend. I had on two coats of the really-good-never-comes-off sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. My shoulders still burned. It was nice to be sitting in the sunsparkled pool and on chairs at the beach. My favorite thing I did this weekend was talk with the kids who were at places I was hanging out. One dad came over to set the food down for his family at the beach. He'd been yelling to his family to come get what he'd bought. He looked back at me and mommy to say "Being the dad, I always get food duty. Everyone else gets to see the show (for instance), while I stand in line". I had to laugh. I leaned over to the itty-bitty girl who came trotting up to eat chips to say, "Be sure to appreciate him really big tomorrow since it's father's day." She gave me a sideways glance and said rather curtly, "I don't know you!" Another laugh, good point. "Yes, but I'm not asking you to do anything with me or go anywhere." She kept eating her chips while she decided. "Psst? Don't tell him, but we got daddy a cake as a surprise" "That's a good present. Are you going to help him eat it?" more pausing "Yep." "Oh good, that's what being a father is all about.". Yesterday's kid said she didn't get him anything because she didn't have a job. Couldn't argue with that.

Bye-bye spring, I'll miss your cool rains, but I do love summertime since everyone finally comes out and plays.