Blather

Been record high temps here for a week. Today I did nothing until the sun hit the horizon, then I went out and pulled hoses for my plants. The girls came outside while I was out, but didn't follow me with the hose. A shower and some TV kept me busy. Tomorrow's supposed to be cooler by ten degrees, still in the 90's. I emailed Mollie, a gal who sent us packages of goodies while I was in the Syrian desert. Been nearly five years, and she's still a wonderful, patriotic gal. One soldier to whom she sent goodies is having a writing contest, so I sent her a version of "The Rocks Were Soft," one of my first efforts at writing while living and working in Iraq. Tough to believe it's been five years since I spent a Fourth of July in Camp Klecker, Baghdad. Lots has happened since then. I worked on the Syrian border, got involuntarily moved to the Kuwaiti border, signed on for a second year, finished that. Came home, bought a beat-up house, made the transition to Stockton, took in my ex-wife and two younger children because they got evicted, moved my cats here, moved everything here from Hayward, and got into a comfortable routine. What's that routine? Well, I wake up when I want- generally from siz-thirty to nine AM. I fix the cats their brekkie, then mine. I work on what I see needs attention- painting, cleaning, gardening, car repairs, etc. This last week has been very non-productive. Maybe an hour a day of active work, then lots of water and looking for something on the tube. My friends elsewhere stay in touch, but infrequently. I don't mind because we all have priorities. Mine lately revolve around my house. I've got lots of things to do, not sure when I'll be done with everything. Maybe never. OK, tonight was good- A Capital Fourth with Barry Manilow, Jackie Evancho, Motown the Musical, and lots more, even the 1812 Overture with cannon. Time for me to see if the fan can keep me asleep.