Truck problems, ugh!

It was bound to happen sooner or later. My beloved truck has developed a power steering lfluid leak--which is pretty bad.

It's going to need surgery. I looked at it and I can't even discern where the the leak actually is--except it is spraying all over the front of the truck in front of the radiator. I do know it is not the power steering fluid pump--I found that and there is no fluid there..

Couldn't happen at a worse time--right before vacation.

I still drive the truck a couple day a week. Why? Well I'm trying to keep miles off Cat. And I always drive the truck during bad weather.

I was actually under the truck for two hours yesterday replacing the failed axillary air pump--that was a special treat in the heat. Fortunately, I was able to work in the garage--where the light was worse but the temperature was 20 degrees cooler than being in the direct sun.

But, because of the fantastic weekend of lounging in the pool on a floatie, I was able to persevere!

The truck will get fixed, soon. I already have one broken and undriveable vehicle in the driveway.

Until then--don't worry, be happy. Florida is less than two weeks away from reality.

And the truck, while important, isn't my only vehicle.

Fabulous Weekend

It is hot!

It has been hot.

I got the chance to watch and old favorite movie over the weekend--Yankee Doodle Dandy, the George M. Cohan Story starring James Cagney.

Now that is one patriotic movie. I love the music and the story.

I also had the opportunity to watch the Macy's Fireworks from New York City--which was really fantastic especially after seeing the fireworks form the mall in DC in person.

I also did some repairs--I had a water valve break in the pool house which required me to sweat some copper. And I repaired a leak in a floatie. Worked on Chris's car trying to silence an annoying rattle. Ugh.

But mostly--I was able to just be in the moment and enjoy the things of life like fireflies in the trees and the singing of a wren near her nest. Watching the dogs interact with us and enjoy one of the most relaxing and productive weekends I've had in a long time.

2010, the 234th celebration of the United States was by far one of my most favorite holiday weekends.

Monday Musings - July 5, 2010 Reflections of the Independence Celebration

1. Riding in a stuffed full metrorail car from DC to Greenbelt last night was a new experience with screaming babies and full of themselves young people. I had visions of a Stephen King type of ending for the train as it sped through the tunnels under the city and then broke into the night as it came above ground. Thankfully, he writes fiction and this was real life.

2. Spending the Fourth of July with a few hundred thousand of my closest friends reminded me that patriotism is still alive in this country despite the daily dose of depressing news and frustration we exhibit in our elected leadership.

3. This terrible picture is of the fireworks exploding behind the Washington Monument from a spot on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building. Don't tell her I admitted this--but Chris found an awesome spot to watch the fireworks among the thousands of like minded people assembled for the event.

4. Watching two extra dogs this weekend has reminded me that I really love my one true dog.

5. The weekend has been idyllic--I have spent a lot of time on a floatie in my pool. But, yesterday I did have to repair a broken valve in the pool house. Thankfully, I still remember how to sweat copper.

6. It is really nice to have a day off after the late night celebration. Maybe Independence Day needs a two-day celebration so we can all recover after the night before.

7. I read the following in the NPR review of the July 4th this morning: Chicago traditionally celebrated a day early on July 3 with a fireworks display that drew more than 1 million people, but the show was canceled this year to save at least $500,000. The city held three smaller shows on Sunday. I believe Chicago has lost something. An event which brings 1 million Americans together to celebrate the birth of our nation must not be lost.

8. One of the songs the band played in church yesterday was I Am Free. Although we didn't sign the song, I was reminded that we are free to worship, to sing, to enjoy life and to share our love with those around us.

9. It was interesting to look out over the crowd last night as the fireworks were lighting up the sky and see the number of iPhone and camera LCD screens of people doing the same thing that I was doing--trying to capture the moment for posterity in digital image. I stopped after two shots and decided to capture the moment in my memory--and just to enjoy the music, the fireworks, and the company of the two beautiful women who were with me.

10. 234 years--thanks to a few founding fathers for their vision, their dedication, and their willingness to risk everything to follow a dream. I only hope we still have a portion of their patriotism remaining in our souls.

Happy 4th

Guess where we are to celebrate?

Lavender and butterflies

We were treated to a host of white butterflies enjoying our lavender yesterday. A cloud of the white butterflies hovered over the blooms enjoying the scent and the pollen from the blooms.

The gardens are suffering a bit from the lack of rain, bit we are supplementing with water to keep the blooms coming.

Chris mulched the beds this week which will further help retaining moisture on the plants.

The weather has been glorious and we are heading into a hot spell this week according to the forecast.

Bring it on.

Holiday Weekend

Just another holiday weekend and the gang is all gathered.

We are dog sitting for our families who are pit of town and so in addition to Makayla, we have also Florence the Italian Greyhound and Ben the other Keeshond is in the foreground. They are napping on my bed.

As I like to say it, I have a pair of Kees when the keeshonden are together.

It was kind of funny how we gained the extra canines within hours of deciding not to head away for the holiday weekend.

But as the three-day weekend begins we have a full house.

I wouldn't have it any other way.