Slight Detour: Welcome Change

Finally, finally, yesterday offered an almost perfect day for staying home.

No need to get in the car for an air-conditioning break from the heat.

This morning, windows actually were closed.

Maybe even today, the curtains and shades can go into hibernation, for a while anyway.

They and the fans have gotten constant use over the past several weeks.

Now, if the nasty bees--not the honey bees---would just find some place and somebody else to pester and sting.

I actually experienced an anomaly yesterday when one stung me, and I didn't even feel it. The big, red, warm swelling on my arm provided ample evidence that a bee had struck.

Upon discovering it, I told Bill that I would not need to do those constant wild and crazy escape dances if the bee stings wouldn't sting.

It's always amazing how bee season and a sting or two quickly turns one into a paranoic fraidy cat, jumping, lunging and sometime even screaming or cussing at every touch of the skin or the hair.

If those bees would just leave, we could fully enjoy being outside again, at least until next Wednesday's beginning of another 90s stretch.

Between now and then, the weather experts have told us we'll have rain.

So, yesterday marked the beginning of a much needed break from HOT.

It was actually nice to stay home and spend time strolling around the place with the dogs.

One dog, Mr. Foster, even had a grooming session on the pickup tail gate. A bee or two came along as I gave him a trim, but thanks to patient Foster, we got the job done.

We have turkeys going through the place all the time, but, for some reason yesterday, it was fun to take time to watch them as they move in their turkey units across a field, pecking one moment, trotting the next to grab another bite of whatever it is they're eating out there.

Over the summer, the babies have grown from little balls of fuzz to adolescents, looking more like their moms and dads.

Yesterday also offered more time to wander through the garden without worry of snakes or too many nasty bees.

Tomato picking this year has seemed more like berry picking cuz the branches offer up so many ripe 'maters each day.

And, the cucumbers have been appearing in increments. I think we've eaten at least a dozen so far this season and many more are lurking under the leaves.

Last night's dinner offered a new garden product: fresh corn on the cob with those 'maters and cukes.

Tasty, for sure.

It's so nice to have finally raised a crop of corn which actually has plump ears filled with kernals instead of just nice looking stalks. One year my corn stalks grew to great heights and beauty but produced nothing for the dinner plate.

This long, hot summer has definitely been good for garden produce.

And, so, happily, welcome change has finally come.

It will be important to take full advantage of the cooler days ahead and, with luck, the rain, especially knowing that HOT is coming back soon enough.

Happy Friday.