July.

Oy.

We have been blessed so far this year with relatively mild weather. But now? Well, summer has arrived, full blown and just a bit vindictive.

I lost a little potted maple tree I have been coaxing along for a few years. Like a bonsai. I forgot to water the old chicken run for one day too many and I think that tree is toast. I feel awful. But I was huddled up here in the house trying to stay cool and didn't see it was in distress until it was too late.

Everything is suffering... even this gray squirrel trying to cool itself on the front porch a little while ago.

I'm surprised he didn't just dunk himself in the water fountain a foot or two away. Maybe water isn't good for them in that way.

I just ordered a leather cover for a B6 Stalogy notebook I have. It's official, I have a problem. I have three journals going right now, not including this one, and I'm going to start another one? What is WRONG with me?

I'll tell you, I'm here, unsupervised with probably some kind of cookie deprivation*, most likely dehydrated. It's 96 degrees. It's July. I need rain. There will BE no rain, unless a miracle happens, my best friend S. is away from home and August is looming on the horizon. Take your pick.

Any way you slice it, the journal cover is on its way and when it gets here I will have to figure out what I'm going to use it for. Because I will be thoroughly obligated to do so or suffer buyer's remorse and summer fever regret.

I'm going to make Alexa play 'Autumn Leaves' by Nat King Cole and pretend it's October.

Me and the gray squirrel. We're going to pretend.

***

*I am two weeks into a Keto diet. Cookies are problematic.

(Cookies aren't the problem... it's the Cupcake. It's ALWAYS the Cupcake.)

Oh, shut up.

(Very well. But there's a journal cover on the way. You have obligations now.)

I SAID, shut UP!