Thirty Seven

I love the house I live in. I love the family that lives in it with me. Down to the fish named Sammy who lives in the bathroom. The back patio is inviting and the little lawn of green grass is maintained by someone else. The other fish- Puff the Dragon, Peachy Cleany Meany, Scaredy Catty, Charlie & Lola live in the heart of the home, looking out on this outdoor living area complete with comfy patio furniture.

Green onions, parsley, and two types of tomatoes in 4 inch pots stand at attention ready to join the other horticulture in the happy scene.

A birdhouse sits keeping time in a plum tree that went from twigs while we looked to white blossoms  during the move and is now full of lucious leaves in glorious green. Twinkle lights now adorn the covering, and a shiny grill sits ready to make mouthwatering the marinated meats of the man. 

A subtle whistle sounds as the train rumbles through town just to the west of us. At just the right moment of the day you hear the mission bells ring just prior...

A large bluebird visits daily. He is curious about us and keeps his distance, but is boldly building a nest from twigs plucked out of the gated garden guarding the front door. Filled with purple daisies, magenta blossomed topiaries and mini allium- can't wait to see what color!

Children fill the neighborhood with shreiks and screams as they ride the thrill of "the hill" on their scooters and attempt to sell their spoils (rocks, bark, flowers & sticks) to the parents who frequently peek out their screened entrances. 

The towering trees to the east tell of the time that people have inhabited this historic area, the bells ring from a tower built in 1776, the year of our country's independence.

This is where I begin my 37th year. Happy Saturday.

Beating the Heat

Yesterday we enjoyed a visit with friends and Grace went for a swim in their pool. She is fascinated with seeing under water. She borrowed her friend's goggles and has barely stopped talking about it since! I need to take her on one of those glass-bottomed boat tours!

Today we slept in, so we decided to go to the afternoon library program (at the other, older library several miles further away). We left around noon:thirty and it was 108 degrees when we got there! The had canceled the afternoon session, because the air conditioner was down. We completely understood. But when we got back to our house I noticed it was only 100 degrees- just 10 minutes later. It really is cooler in our little windy canyon.

While Shawn and Grace played in the pool this evening, I planted some basil, oregano and cantaloupe. I also mixed some soil from old pots and added in some of the compost we started in the spring. It could use a good sifting, we left way too many big twigs in it, but other than that it is perfect. I pulled a bunch of weeds in the garden bed yesterday and I wanted to plant some corn- although it a little late, luckily it SoCal! But alas I was hot, so I just took pictures instead!



I have been trying to acclimate myself to the heat- Shawn read another article about air conditioning being another factor to our heavier society. Our bodies used to work to cool us, and now we let machines do all the work. We are lucky that our house stays so fairly cool. By staying outside more and keeping the windows and blinds drawn during the day then opening everything up when the afternoon winds whip through we believe we can make it through the summer without using the air conditioner.

But I AM realistic, it's only July 3 and I'm only 3 months pregnant- check back in two months and I may be singing the praises of our modern conveniences. It seems another one is making it's way back into our family as we prepare to welcome broadcast television back into our lives, albeit with the added convenience of the modern miracle TiVo.