Yes, it is VERY hot. 09-05-20

KoKo and I took a very short walk this morning when it was already 85F and just walked around the backyard this evening about 8pm when it was 100F or so.  The high today was 111F.  Fortunately, the A/C is still working and there have not been any brownouts in our area.   I'm not much of an early bird, but I think we will need to walk about 7am when the temp is supposed to be 80F.    I know that we aren't the only ones who are suffering this holiday weekend, but each year it is harder for me to tolerate the heat.  If it weren't for the Virus we would go up to the mountains, or even Canada, for a month or so.  Too bad.  

The Gazanias love the heat and this particullar color is HOT, isn't it?

I don't know what this vine is, but it is my favorite acid green color. 

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Afternoon break 09-03-20

Being the birthday recipient of my favorite gelato flavor, I had to enjoy some today.  It wasn't a really busy day, two walks with KoKo and a ZOOM meeting with my art quilt group.  But somehow I needed a "pick me up" about 4:30pm, so I gave KoKo his dinner early and sat down with my book and, of course, my doggy in my lap.  He doesn't understand why he can't eat some, but beside the fact that he doesn't get people food, it is chocolate which is bad for dogs.  

I guess I shouldn't have posted previously about "Coffee Chocolate Chip" Talenti gelato, because now it has become VERY difficult to find in the grocery.  So, please ignore my posts and don't buy it.  It is terrible, icky, tasteless, and unhealthy.  Does that deter any of you?   It really is addicting and I am sorry if I have inflicted you with this addiction.  Meanwhile, I will keep eating it whenever I can find it!  

Preparing for temperatures up to 111F over the weekend.  Hope my A/C is adequate.   I better give my one remaining rose bush a soaking.  And maybe put out some water for the bunny I keep seeing in my backyard.  

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Birthday flowers 09-02-20

Thank you to all the kind, thoughtful people who sent Birthday Greetings to this old lady.   I can't express how much it means to me.  It makes me think about the "Cheers" intro song about "....everybody knows my name."   Thank you. 

One friend send this beautiful fragrant bouquet to cheer my days for awhile.  Daisies and carnations, what a great combination.  

Those interesting loops around the flowers look like ribbons, but are actually leaves.   I should know what kind they are, but I can't think of it now.  They have made a small hole in the middle of the leaf and folded it back to insert the stem through the hole.  These loops are placed with the stems in the water around the edge of the vase.  Clever.

Today I had lunch with my isolated friends at their home with take out from Cedar Creek Inn in Brea.   I had fish tacos that were street version with three small tortillas and a filling of flaked fish (cod or halibut?) and chopped veggies.  I ate them before I even thought of a picture!  

It has been a lovely birthday.  Thank you all again. 

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It is the night before.... 08-31-20

I sit here amazed at the arrival of my 82nd birthday.  How did that happen?  There are a lot of people older than I am, some of them decades older.  But, as so many of them say, I don't FEEL that old.  Inside I guess I am still twenty-four or so.  Enjoying pretty good health and happy living alone with KoKo, the 12 pound Yorkshire Terrier, the years just slip away.  I do find myself thinking about things that happened in the past and sometimes suddenly understanding what I didn't understand at the time.  Sort of like reading a book with footnotes. 

It is depressing and somewhat debilitating to be living in the time of Covid-19, but that may be overwhelmed by living in the time of Trump.  Since he started his political career I have thought of him as the 21st Century Hitler and I fear that he will end our democracy.  I hope that people who aren't inclined to vote will do so this November.  Not voting is a vote for Trump.  

Not a happy birthday post, but these things are heavy on my mind.   Love, Del and KoKo

From TCQC 08-30-20

For the SAQA "challenge" of posting quilts in an alphabetical order I posted 26 quilts, but it wasn't a representative selection from the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection.  Because I am having continuing problems with access to my photo files I had to post what I could find that started with a certain letter.  Frustration to the umpth degree.  So, I will try to go back to my previous practice of posting a quilt from the Collection on Sundays.  In no particular order and as I can access my files.  I might have to do some photography if I can't have access.  

"Wings #2:Pairing Up"   Kathleen Probst - Idaho  2012  27.75"W X 28.5"L

Artist's hand-dyed cotton fabric,  Machine stitched and quilted.  

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The Ice Cream Seekers 08-29-20

Last year about this time I started driving two young boys to school a couple times a week.  Their parents work schedules would leave the boys home alone from 6:30 to 7:30am and their school is too far away for them to walk, besides being unsafe with busy streets and traffic lights.   I enjoyed doing it and felt useful to someone other than KoKo.   The parents insisted on feeding me Indian dinners occasionally and I have posted about those delicious treats.  But then along came Covid-19.  Their mom continues to work as a nurse and their father had to start working at home.  So, all these months have gone by with the boys entertaining themselves while their father tries to work.  About a month ago I started taking the boys out for ice cream once a week.  It gives their father a respite of an hour or so and sometimes their mom is also home during that time.  After living alone for over thirty years I can't imagine what it would be like to have two active boys present 24/7. 

Immanuel is eleven and Julian is in kindergarten (6?) and they are very well behaved, except that Julian is a wiggle worm and has to make faces all the time.  KoKo usually goes along and has to stay in the car.  We are trying all the ice cream shops in a wide area and there are a lot of them. Yesterday I thought it might be more comfortable if we went in the morning before the temperature topped 90F, but I didn't know that ice cream shops don't open until 11:30am or Noon!  We had to drive around with the aid of Google to find a place that was serving earlier.  We finally ended up in Fullerton (about 7 miles to the west) at a Cold Stone.  That used to be my go to ice cream place, but I hadn't been to one in several years.  Due to Covid it is different now; all the add-ons are in jars and the counter where the mixing is done is behind plexi, so it is difficult to watch the mixing.  But the ice cream was as good as always. 

When we returned home their mom wanted a picture, I suppose because it was exactly a year since she took a picture of the boys when I picked them up for the first day of school.   As usual, Julian is making a face and, as usual, Immanuel is standing straight and tall.  I hadn't realized he has grown to be about my height.  And I have lost an inch over the last few years.  We hope to continue our ice cream trips when the school schedule gets settled.  They will not be physically returning, but will be online.  How does one go to kindergarten online?  I know it is very difficult for everyone involved.  

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