Two momentous things happened this week.

The first cucumber was havested from my garden:



And the first figs arrived at the store (I've eaten a few out of the package--can you tell?):



The local figs will be ripe soon--it's just a matter of time.


Ah, life is good.

Gratuitous kitten picture--because I can.

Summer To Do List #3

Lay in my hammock and sunbathe.

Summer To Do List, continued:

2. Find the perfect pencil.




So far the best are, in order:

1. General's Test Scoring 580, hardness B
2. Stabilo's Aquarellable 8008, hardness B
3. California Republic's (oddly made in Japan) Palomino, hardness B

Honorable mentions to two triangular pencils, nice grip, but the lead is too hard. Both of these pencils also get high marks for looks, or as my son puts it "style points":

1. Faber-Castell's Grip 2001, hardness HB
2. Rhodia, hardness HB

And yes, that is my San Diego Chinese Center cup. Thanks for asking.

My son just informed me that the cat urped. I did of course suggest that since he had found it, he should clean it up. He disagreed. Instead he brought me a paper towel. A single paper towel. Uhh, one flimsy sheet of paper is so not enough for me to touch something that has recently been on the inside of my cat (okay, anything that has ever been on the inside of my cat). I need four or five paper towels, at the very least.

Oooh ish.

I have an extensive "Summer To Do" list and I thought I'd share it here with you.

1. Paint my toenails




Check.

Excuses

Since it's summer vacation, I thought I'd be blogging more--at least to complain about the weather. But we've had beautiful weather--so no whining necessary.





I do have an excuse; I have been busy the last couple of days. Meet Bruno, the latest addition to the family. He's a stray, or at least he used to be.

Now, if I can just think of an excuse for not blogging all of those other days I've missed.

I decided to do Monday’s crossword puzzle today (it’s Tuesday), because doing Monday’s puzzle makes me feel smarter.

One of the clues asked for the rank above capt. I knew it was maj. and so did my husband, why?

Not because we live in a military town—we do
Not because my husband works on base a lot—he does
Not because I am an historian—I am

No, my husband knows because Stratego was his favorite game as a child

And, I know because of M*A*S*H.

Thank God for cultural literacy.

Oh, by the way, I still have four squares blank on the crossword. So much for self-esteem.