Rowena is here for however long we can stand each other. She has become chummy with a neighbor's son, and they're both fish in human disguise. The boy stays with his mother on weekends. She sits in the shade by the pool while the kids try to grow fins and scales.
The last time Rena was here, she stayed in the water too long and got sunburned. I told her I was going to restrict her time in the pool. However, yesterday, Becke and Gordon came by about 11:30 (while I was in shul) and stayed until about 9:30. Becke tried to get Rena to put on some sunscreen, which she said she didn't need. As a result, she's burned again.
I did go down to the pool about 5:30, and chatted with Becke while the kids cavorted. They were in and out of the pool, but the sun still did its work. So, today, no swimming.
SUN TEA:
For those of you who know what it is, skip this part. This is for a reader who doesn't know what it is.
You put a bunch of teabags in a large glass or plastic jug, fill it with cold water and put it in the sun to steep. About an hour usually does it. This makes for a less astringent tea than hot water brewing. Then put the jug in the refrigerator to cool. Add ice to a glass, pour in some tea and enjoy! Oops, my jug is almost empty. Gotta go brew some more sun tea. BRB.
Oh, I use regular tea bags and an equal number of flavored tea bags. Last time it was blueberry flavor. Very nice.
Rank heresy among the Southerners: I don't sweeten my tea.
Banshee and Toesies are a real hoot. Toesies has no fear and no sense. He attacks Banshee, who is huge in comparison, and then starts the rough and tumble. Banshee could do serious damage, but he doesn't. I guess they both know, on some animal level, that it's all play.
However, I notice that Toesies is trying to find a nipple to suckle on and Banshee is having no part of it. Not cooperating. No way.
Toesies still hasn't figured out how to get up on the windowsills, and that's about the only place he can't get to. Otherwise, Banshee would have no peace at all.
If I don't get that kitten utterly worn out at bedtime, and he insists on tackling my toes, he ends up closed in the bathroom. When I go later and open the door, there he is sound asleep on the toilet cover. As long as Rena has been here, he's ended up sleeping with her, after he settles down.
I bought another fan for Rena's room. The room just doesn't cool off. The only window faces east, and the breeze (when there is one) comes from the southwest. And the swamp cooler is utterly useless outside the living room. So now I have three fans going 24/7, plus the swamp cooler for a short while around 5:00 pm. That's when the setting sun hits the wall with a vengeance. I've managed seven summers in this apartment, so I guess I'll manage this one too. But, oh! I'll be so glad when September arrives.
Guess I'll go finish reading the Sunday paper, and maybe work the NY Times crossword puzzle. If I can stay awake.
Shalom