The great thing about moving out of the big city was my ability to actually see all those stars once we got away from all the light clutter of Dallas. When we first got here I was amazed at how dark it was at night & just how many stars filled the skies. I still lay back in a lawn chair & staare up into the skies & wonder at it all.

I offered, completely altruistically, you understand, to help out a neighbouring allotmenteer by taking 2 barrow loads of spent flowers and weeds off her hands. Plus my own 6 barrow loads of weeds, spent fava and courgette (zucchini) plants. But I still haven't got that pallet bin filled yet. Very warm weather today for gardening. I was wishing I had put on a sleeveless top instead of the long sleeves I was wearing. I have four bins at the allotment and one at home. The leaves have only just started falling here. Many are still quite green. No frosts at all yet.

Oh TREKaren I would love to take riding lessons again but when I did I would be scared sick until I was on the horse and then would be OK when the instructor told me what to do. I was thrown off once (my horse) and hit my tailbone and was in pain a long time. Another time I dropped a rein (another horse of mine) and the horse took off and I fell off and that was about the time I quit buying horses. I bought 2 ponies and carts and thought that would be safer and for me it was but then I met a man whose pony took him and a cart over a stone fence and he had the nastiest broken arm I ever saw. I miss my ponies - it was fun taking them in parades. One of my proudest moments was when the instructor pulled everyone into the center of the ring except me and the chestnut mare I was riding. Then she told the others to watch me posting because it was absolutely perfect. Oh my about the Blues poo. *G* Pam I read very fast - I wish I could sew! Thanks for the book recommendation Tikanas. Both sound interesting. I was a weird kid (no comments - lol) and would read biographies. If it's not true it seems like a waste of time to me. If you want a good sleep read the diaries of Lewis and Clark. Knocks me right out. Hmm maybe it's time to read it again. Dee Marie good for you figuring out what works for you. That is the secret to living on a diet isn't it? I guess I have dropped a little weight since last Friday but when I am 100% I usually lose between 3-4 pounds. Would be pushing if I lost half that this week. No patience... I am heading out of town tomorrow-Monday. My calorie count book is going in the truck too. New mattress and box springs delivered today! Whoohoo! I am famous for finding everything barely used but the king size bed set never appeared and I have looked for 2 years. So this is a belated Christmas gift to us. Bye all - talk to you Monday Kathy

awm : thank you for the sweet and supportive wishes. I sure hope your ride goes well. Two of the folks I am with have done that ride and loved it. We are indeed fortunate in the support we get from our families. tina thank you too. I will keep up the updates as it helps to clarify things in my head too :). I am glad you are enjoying it. golddust. we had flashing lights but it was just a miserable set of circumstances....hopefully not to be repeated. Glad you like my TALL tales. Sue yes it never has stormed today but we have had a fine time. We walked several miles to go to a Dollar Store and to stretch our legs. Time for a nap I think. Your trip sounds wonderful. I bet you will always cherish that time as will I this trip. Most likely won't do another as I don't want to leave DH this long again but this one time it is good. More later. c