Slight Detour: Relief

Facing the day is much easier this morning, knowing that we've survived the first siege of summer heat.

It's actually pleasant outside, and we'll have a high of 82 today compared to yesterday's 90. The next several days we'll be in the 70s, which I think is perfect for summer.

My flowers will agree, as some of them have looked a bit wilted. Happily, the cooler weather has come just in time for them to bounce back.

While typing this text, I am hearing a familiar but most welcome sound: our Western flycatchers have returned.

I haven't seen them yet, but at least one was doing its characteristic chirp outside the window.

I love these birds because they appear to be very social.

Over the past few years, they've been an entertaining distraction at deck gatherings, as they often sit on the deck ornaments as if they're guests at the party.

Can't wait to see them and take a few more photos.

We have a DISH TV tech coming sometime between 8-12 this morning.

He's coming to see why our TV channels have been so erratic the past few days. We've noticed that the morning hours until about noon and evenings after 7 p.m. are okay.

Throughout the afternoons, however, we cannot get local channels. In addition, changing the channels has been weird.

Hope he can figure it out.

We would really like to be able to watch our to Gonzaga alums play in tonight's NBA Finals game.

So far, Gonzaga's grads continue to win in these playoffs.

These two greeted me as I walked down the road this morning. In past years, Gary's Percheron's have appeared a bit shy while grazing in this field just north of our home.

This duo, however, came immediately to the fence and all but invited me to jump across the ditch and give them some loving.

I told them I wasn't doing the ditch thing, so we stood apart at a distance and had a morning visit.

Very friendly pair.