Thursday July 23rd 2026

Yah, well, nothing wakes me quicker and more completely than the sounds of a cat gakkkking on the bed! Good morning, 4:15 a.m.!! And I couldn't get back to sleep till after 7, unfortunately, so I slept in. At least she got rid of a hairball.

Joe, I hope today isn't as crazy. Weather there sounds nice!

Happy Birthday, Stars, in your new iteration of LIFE!

I have an eye appointment this afternoon (routine, annual), and then I want to bake a couple Fruit-of-the-Forest pies. Tomorrow I will make a Mediterranean salad: chopped marinated artichoke hearts, halved cherry tomatoes, pieces of cauliflower, chopped bell pepper, avocado, black olives and green olives, plus the juice from the artichokes (that's the dressing) and juice of one lemon. Mix all and serve! It's very colorful, and a mild vinaigrette. I will bring the above items to the jam on Saturday. We are meeting a friend here and will then carpool to the jam.

That's it for me, as the temperatures slowly rise. Next week will be ALL triple-digits, some into the teens. I hope the power doesn't fail!

Have a good afternoon and evening!

And, I guess I got my wires crossed, as I showed up for my 2pm eye appointment, and was informed it was scheduled for 3pm, as they are closed from 2-3 for lunch. I guess I mis-heard, or something, for I had entered it in my Google calendar as 2pm. Oh well. I made a quick trip to the grocery store (my second home, doncha know!), and am in nice air-conditioning until it's time to leave -- again -- for the appointment. I will hydrate as well, it is 103 degrees out there now. I'm SO VERY thankful for working A/C!!

Afternoon Joe! Just one hair getting cut, eh? Sorry, the dad jokes are strong around here and I just couldn't help myself.

Dianah, I know (and unfortunately feel) that sound well.

Rough day (week?) at work dealing with some interpersonal issues between some staff members that have me stressed out too. Very much looking forward to book club this weekend for some much needed down time - now to see if I finish reading the book by then! It's my turn to be the leader... yay for procrastination?

I made it -- on time! -- to my 3pm appointment. I don't NEED new glasses (prescription is unchanged) but I picked out some new frames and in two weeks I will have a second pair, as back-up. I don't need to be seen for two years, as everything is stable.

When I got home, I started in on the pies. And, I see it took me about two hours, start-to-finish (meaning, the pies are in the oven). Kitchen is cleaned up, so dh can now feed the furry beasts. The crust went better than I expected. Last time I baked pies, I could NOT get the crust to stick together, dunno why! I also (haha) used my spatula to help loosen the rolled-out crust from the countertop. Then I was able to better fold it over and plop it onto the pie tins (or the pie innards, as it were). With all the filling ingredients, it looked like I would make THREE pies, but once the pie shells were filled and topped with crust, only two resulted (but a rounded two, not a flat-topped two!). I probably only have to bring one, but may bring the two just in case.

After the cats get fed, we'll have our supper and watch half an episode of Inspector Morse. I will make the Mediterranean salad tomorrow. I'm sure it won't take NEAR as long to prepare as the pies did! Every time I bake pies, I remind myself why I don't do it more often: they are time-consuming to make!

I think I mentioned it was 103 degrees out when I went to my appointment. I see now (almost 7 pm) it's only 97, thank goodness for small favors and all that!

Tweety, that seems to be routine, to pull one of your nurses or techs. You get used to making do...

Have a good evening!