Labor

After a laborious Summer season, the end is near. It's that celebratory week-end other workers (but me) seem to always have off for relaxing n going to Back to School sales. Some of those clothes are so cheap I got some for me too!

Summer folks in large quantities are here all over, relaxing. The neighbors are even out kayaking in the Christobal small-craft warnings on our south facing beaches in this particular section of Cape Cod. Guess they don't pay attention to the news when on Vacation. I wonder if the harbormaster was out kicking their butts to obey the warning flags.

I'm lucky to get 2 to 4 hours of sleep with the outdoor noise lately, n have been getting allergy head-aches from all the ragweed pollen. In one more week it should be a different scene around here, fewer folks around, alot more rest time, n less crazy work until Columbus Day. 

Pics are from the deck tomatoes 3 weeks n 2 weeks ago. At one point I counted 14 green ones on the one, bush type, potted, plant. They are ripening in various sizes from cherry to large Beefsteaks. The vine was too heavy, so I took some off to ripen on the windowsill. I've cooked two, n have five in the frig. With the prices for organic on the vine at the market, my planting n care labors are paying off.

(pic order gave me alot of trouble again in the editor this post- but guess I like the unintentional one on the top anyway!) 

I hope your labors are feeling rewarded also-
Have a good Labor Day Week-end,

Summer Slips

One more week of August, Summer, left- it always goes so fast! But our weather here has been un-Summer-like for two week already... I'm bummed out I haven't gone swimming yet, because the low-tides, rain, or cool temps took the motivation away. Sunny, hot 80's F  would make it far more likely to happen..

Critters at the M-cove this year have been good company, but poor pic models. These geese took a long time to decide to cross under the bridge, until I turned away not to watch them that day.

This spring an otter had a lodge on the other side of the bridge, n I got horrible, smudgy shots of her swimming from under the bridge, as she came out to see who was whistling a call, (Just me). But of course July fireworks made her decide to move further up the estuary. The Blue Heron always hides in the long marsh grass at the cove edge, n I only have teeny speck pics of him. Again today I saw him fly away when I got on the bridge. The only company there tonight were two other pic takers, n a couple of fisher-guys. I chatted a little bit, n then the graphic quality of clouds quickly sailed away, n so very few pics were clicked.

Folks are trying to get in more Summer before it's over. I'm hoping we get the missing hot weather back three weeks from now in time for my long-awaited week off. Meanwhile, I'm picking pretty tomatoes n flowers, n hanging on a few more weeks of crazy-time work.

Lessons Learned

About four years now, I've had the same cell phone for use in emergencies, n have forgotten to bring it with me on several occasions. But I'd never actually lost it until this week-
So over-tired after work that early am, I didn't realize it was gone until I got to the "time to plug n recharge the phone" portion of my "get ready for tomorrow" routine. Then I re-traced n re-traced my tracks again since I'd last used the phone during my work break.

I surmised it must have fallen out of my pocket at some point, but where...? My brain was foggy during empty pockets time, n there's so much in those pockets all day, pens, markers, eye-drops, box-cutter, paper towels, vinyl food gloves, n snacks. It was on silent mode, but I tried calling it with the land-line anyway, figuring I might hear it buzz, or if someone found it, it would say the call was from "home" n there would be a better chance of return, as my name isin't on it anywhere.

I felt half-naked n vulnerable going to work n errands without it. Funny how secure you feel going out knowing you can call for help, n how quickly we are spoiled with it. Mostly the inconvenience of not having the option bothered me. I'd been using the clock often too. 

Mostly I found, I regretted losing the contact numbers no longer memorized as in the old days. Some of those I'd have no way to get again. Then there are some addresses quickly texted to me when bumping into old friends. Folks used to texting me questions would not be read, or get answers either...

Two full days of searching I put in, cleaning spots in the house where I'd unloaded stuff after work. At work I searched places I'd been n asked folks to keep an eye-out. 

Then today after I put a bright, clip lamp in the hallway to move some laundry, there it was, behind a pile! Yay it was at home! It must have fallen out of my pocket after I threw the work pants on top there, n I'd checked the pockets afterwards. Whew, what a relief!

Definitely it's not good to be so tired you can't remember what you- had done on auto-pilot. It would really stink to have to get a new phone n number, n waste already paid for minutes. 

The first thing I did besides plugging in the charger, was copy all the contact info by hand into a notebook- so at least I'd have those numbers accessible somewhere else. Lesson learned, problem solved. If there's a next time, won't lose the important stuff.

(Harbor water pics from beginning of Summer)

Why Indeed

Why can someone like Robin
Bring me to teary Laughter,
Then Become so depressed
To take his life away-
When once he was so gay
n funny, n foolish-
He cut me up in silliness,
Now has brought me low
To think-
Life is so unpredictable
n Death the only certainty.
Why did he rush to meet it?

.......................................................................

posted by SnaggleTooth at Ellis' "Why" today

Summer Color

In the old days before Sun damage worries were known, I used to be out in the sun getting a tan on purpose. I  still spend alot of time outside, but not relaxing. This year I managed only work up a farmers tan. Still haven't worn the old bathing suit. Had more Thunder storms giving forceful, free showers today, n managed errands magically just in the space between two of them. If only non-work days were as good as the work-week ones lately! I've been so wanting to play hooky...

Before the storms it was sticky out. but now it's less humid. Supposed to be the same tomorrow, but maybe it'll stay nice long enough. I'm hoping to at least toe-dip at high tide after getting to the post office.

This pic seems magical to me with it's reflective, residual boat wake ripples n a thunder head in the distance. I'm not taking many pics lately, as the cam is sometimes malfunctioning, being old n all. (2007). Time for a new one soon. (Pic from the end of July). I'm no longer taking the cam with me all the time.

The two altered images today are the same angle with different color pallet combos. I can't seem to get away from seeing a green pig's nose with mouth  on the top here, n feel like one - been eating so much watermelon, jello, pudding, zucchini (Thanks MB), n chocolate ice cream lately. This summer I'm liberally adding on whipped cream n Breyer's cherry topping,  plus chipping away slowly at a bag of fresh cherries. (Allergy inflamation seems less). I finally had a beautiful, large, fresh strawberry from the deck today, n more are on the way (an ever-bearer).

Mischief was pretty sick the past month or so, but is now doing  alot  better again. Of course now she'll only eat pet-store canned food costing over a dollar per tiny can (a step above Fancy-feast n Sheba). But at least she's eating again n getting stronger to enjoy some of her time as a senior kitty. (She's 15 years old).

About one month from now I have a scheduled week off work, n I can't wait. Hopefully the summer weather will hang on late for me to get to the beach one warm, sunny day, so I don't feel like I missed out on why I live here. Work has been aggravating to say the least, n I'm just totally burnt out being in a hurry all day, every day. Seems no matter how fast I go or how much I do, it's never enough to get rewarded. There's alot to be said for having time n getting enough rest too- which I seem to never get these days.

Do you have a tan this summer?