re-entry

Well, I've been back almost 2 weeks and I have supervised the installation of the residential job that's been waiting for a couple of months and still did not get the door panel in because of damage to the molding caused by the contractor's people who removed the existing glass. So now I'm waiting to hear when they get that repaired.

I finished the second full size drawing and started on the third for the A&M job and ordered the glass.

And I had an appointment in the city this week for a new job (two shower enclosures and a toilet enclosure) and they want it in the fall.

I've also spent a considerable amount of time watering the yard. It is so hot and dry. We've had no rain since a week before I left. And I've set up the pool but haven't been in it yet.

So I'm back to the real world and my real life, keeping the bird feeder and bird baths full, watering the yard, walking the dog, going to yoga, and working. This will be my life for the next several months.

Before I left, I did a post of things that were blooming during the first half of June which was supposed to self publish while I was gone. It didn't so here it is.

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Today, Friday the 17^th, is 5 days in a row without rain. Three days after the last rain the ground looked like this...

Unreal, right?  It's even worse after 5 days.  Everyone around here is noticing the same thing. Already having to water. The pots certainly as they dry out fast but the stuff in the ground as well. You'd think all that water over the last two months would still be evident.

Well, the altheas (rose of sharon) 

and day lilies are just about done 

while the red crinums 

and white spider lilies are coming into bloom. 

The butterfly weed is robust waiting for the monarchs return in the fall. 

The gingers 

and plumerias are coming into bloom from all the rain and makes it smell sweet at night 

and the star of india that was struggling in the ground for years has quadrupled in size since being put in a pot and is blooming for the first time since it froze to the ground 3 years ago. 

My rangoon creeper is also blooming for the first time after being in the ground for 3 years.

There's more, the plumbago, the roses looking scraggly, the yellow angel trumpet, the orange cosmos which previously has only bloomed in the late summer/fall and this year started blooming almost immediately and have continued as they have grown tall, the yellow bells, the black eyed susans.

doing re-entry and the selfie

It finally pinged on my consciousness oh, shit, this is Friday that this is Friday. I mean, I knew it was Friday on a surface level cause I had to pick up my sister's dogs and bring them to my house because she left town yesterday as I was getting back and I also know I have to work tomorrow meaning tomorrow is Saturday and thus today is Friday, but selfie Friday had not risen to the surface.

I got back yesterday late, like 9:30ish late. I left Portland noonish, got in 6ish, stopped for dinner in the city and then the drive home. No more staying overnight in the city house for an early or late flight.

Today I am a zombie. It's almost 4:30 and I'm just now almost unpacked. Which means I spread out all the rocks and things I brought back and got all my dirty clothes out and in a pile.

We transitioned from high summer to the dog days while I was gone. It is so fucking hot out there it's impossible to be outside for more than just a very short time. Nevertheless, I have watered some plants, changed the filter and adjusted the chemicals on the pool, filled the teacup feeder, scooped as much of the string algae out of the little water lily pond as I could...all in separate forays.

There is nothing to do about August except to endure it, 

except that it's not too bad out there after about six or so, in the shade, doing nothing, with a little breeze, listening to the wind chimes and the wind clackers.