Smokin!!!!

                                     


It's HOT!  Just plain H-O-T!!!!!!!  What a brutal start to summer we're having!  Early mornings and just before dark is about all one can stand for any length of time without dragging and wilting.  I feel like I"m moving in slow motion when I'm outside. 

Even the new furkid is not liking the heat of the day.  I have to drag his butt outside to do his biz unless the other 2 pups are headed outside.  Actually, Smokey, the Beagle likes to sun in this heat.  Mac and Spanky either dig in at the door and refuse to go out without a push or find the shade to pant in.

Speaking of Mac, our little explorer, back from his not-so-excellent overnight adventure after escaping through the gate the lawn service left open, he is eaten up with bug bites and miserable.  The heat does NOT help his misery!  What a miracle and relief to have this little lost furkid back in pack again, tho'!!! 

Spanky, on the other hand, has discovered the joys of ice eating and playing.  It's fun to watch him wrangle with the cubes as they melt. 

Not much heat relief on the horizon, I fear.  My 17-year-old grandson Bryan comes to visit on Thurs.  I'm looking forward to that.  First time in 2 years.  A trip to Six Flags is on tap while he's here.....   Someone needs to invent a portable, battery-operated AC unit.  Purse size.  We're sure to be Five Fried heading home from Six Flags.

Time to crank up the snow dreams...

Of Frogs And Fairy Houses

What's this got to do with anything? Nothing really. Love my frogs and I love the various fairy houses that nestle in my container gardens scattered around the patio and yard. The wee creatures are welcome to come, visit, or move right in. What can I say? My favorite childhood book and flights of my imagination surrounded Peter Pan.

Yesterday was a long, hot, ultimately crispy, but fun day. Trish was off, so we took the boys to Hawaiian Falls, a local water park. We went early, best time to beat the crowds and find a shady spot to park ourselves. As a rule, we leave around 2 when the crowds swell and the sun is unbearable. Yesterday, was an exception.

All Spring Connor, who has anxiety issues and fear of amusement park rides, slides, scary movies, etc., has been saying he's ready to ride the big rides at Six Flags and the giant slides at the water parks. On the way to Hawaiian Falls yesterday Connor was talking about going down the big slides. Trish tried to discourage him from going because he wouldn't be able to turn back mid-slide. I told her I thought we should just let him try if he wanted to.

We hit the park and he was off to the slides! I followed to see how he fared. He not only did it, he LOVED it!! There are 3 or 4 different slides to ride with and without tubes ( single or double). He rode them all! A small victory to some; a HUGE victory for Connor! I was thrilled and proud of his mastery over what had been a huge fear/anxiety for him.

Both boys are part fish. They love the water. I think it's genetic. They swam, rode the slides and ran around the park for hours. We slathered them liberally with sunscreen/block before and during the day. Connor is olive-skinned, but Sam is lily white. Both looked like crispy critters by the time we got home. This DESPITE the many latherings with 50 + sunblock!

Lesson learned. Next time they keep shirts on except when sliding (prohibited). My sunblock was 85; I didn't get burned at all. Trish wanted sun and she got it.

Liberal lathering off and an all evening with chilled Aloe Gel and some ibuprofen eased the discomfort. Watching The Spiderwick Chronicles on DVD capped off the day.

Maybe my fairy houses are occupied after all....
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"Fairies are invisible and inaudible like angels. But their magic sparkles in nature." ~Lynn Holland