Another Puzzle Done

 

My life has been filled with more activities than I'm used to this  month. And it's been hot. So relaxing with a puzzle has been really fun. And I finally finished the dog portrait puzzle. It was difficult to fit it in one picture with my phone so that's why the picture above is a bit uneven and tilted. 

I had thought it would be easy since the dogs were so different from each other and each had a different color background.

Not so, I obviously have no talent for jigsaw puzzles. Something I find a bit annoying, since I'm usually pretty good at problem solving. 

Only good thing about me and puzzles is that I don't give up. It may take me a very long time to finish one, but I will complete it. 

And I will start a new one soon, still only 300 pieces. We'll see how it goes. 

I tell you this though: Every time a piece fits into another piece, I feel a little thrill and a tiny amount of pride. It reminds me of childhood games and how proud I would be when I solved something, found the right clue, or won the game. 

I think solving puzzles is a good thing at any age. I also do crossword puzzles, and enjoy Word Master on my Kindle. 

Sightings From My Summer Bedroom

The other day, I saw a raven chase a road runner across my back yard. The road runner ran across the open space with the raven flying right above her, almost touching her back. When she reached the juniper trees, she just went under one and there wasn't much the raven could do, so the chase ended with a draw and no one hurt. 

The ravens are very territorial and chase away other large birds, like hawks, from the land they have claimed as theirs. I didn't know one of them would take on a road runner. 

A mule deer buck comes by almost every day. When I slept in my other bedroom, I had no idea that deer would come by here so often. Now I see several every week. The buck may be the same, but I've also seen a group of them. 

So I had to google what a group of deer is called. This is what I learned: 

Most people, upon seeing a bunch of deer together, would call it a herd; however, you also could call the group a bunch, a mob, a parcel or a rangale. Never heard that word - rangale - before. 

There's always something new to learn. At my age, all you can do is hope you will remember it!

Hogging It, Of Course She Does

 

I only use the a/c in the afternoons when the heat beats down on my living room and by the front door, where Samson likes to nap. To keep him comfortable the rest of the day, I put this fan on the floor for him.

Me: Yes, Faith, it really is for Samson. If you just move back a little you two can share it. 

Faith: Would be more fair if you had two fans. You know, one for each of us. 

Me: If you move back and don't block the air, the fan will cover both of you. 

Faith: Hmmm... I'll think about it.

Me: Orange balls go in the closet...

Faith: OK, if that's the way you want to be.

I Treat Myself -- And Jeanne Goes To Death Valley

 

I'm working on creating a calm, peaceful, and happy old age for myself. I have a strong sense that I no longer want to own anything. So I'm selling the Jeep; hoping to sell the house, while staying in it for awhile; leasing a new car instead of buying; and more along that general path. 

In the picture below, the house looks smaller and the car looks bigger. I promise I didn't get a car almost as big as my house. 

As you may know, a global shortage of computer chips has slowed auto production, resulting in fewer cars available for sale. And, of course, higher prices for the few, and I mean few, that sit on car dealers' lots. 

Not a good time to need a new car, but Joyce wants to buy the Jeep and I want to sell it to her. So on Friday, Joyce and I went to the Lancaster Auto Mall, where we began at the Subaru dealer. They had eight new cars, Foresters, a couple of Crosstreks. I didn't fit in the latter, but was interested in learning more about the Forester.

Unfortunately, the salespeople were not very helpful, so we decided to leave, get some coffee, and then go and see the Jamaican guy at Honda. His name is Clive and I've been talking to him on the phone for months now. 

He was just as nice and helpful as I expected him to be. Researching cars within my price range, I found the Honda CRV to be the best car, so I was hoping they would have some.

Well, they had one, just one, and it was a top of the line car and a lot over the amount I had budgeted. I could still afford it, and thought why not treat myself. I've been driving the Jeep for over ten years, and while it's great for around here, I don't like it on the freeways and will not take it on trips. 

Of course the color of the only car they had was this red. I didn't want a red car, but this was the only one. It's a soft metallic red and I like it better already. 

It has the necessary All Wheel Drive (in case it will ever snow or rain here again), it's a hybrid, so better for the environment, the electric charges when you step on the brake. 

It has all the bells and whistles you could possibly want. Most of them I can live without, but how cool that as long as you have your keys on you, you can just walk away, and the car will magically lock itself. Then you only have to touch the handle to open it. 

I don't need or want all the stuff I have to pay extra for, but some of it can be fun to play with, I'm sure. 

I have a lot to learn.

Best for me: I'm very comfortable sitting in it and driving it. It fits me perfectly. 

And it's such a joy to drive. 

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Jeanne and Jon went to Death Valley, where it is HOT, VERY HOT. 

It was 110 in Lancaster, but she sent this picture from Death Valley:

Jeanne and Jon like to do these fun and a bit out of the way things. I hope it wasn't too crowded in Death Valley, I hope they weren't too HOT. Even though they were hoping for really HOT. I can't wait to hear all about it.

The temp in the picture is not verified as correct. I believe the temperature Friday hit 130 F. That converts to 54.4 Celsius. Growing up with Celsius, that makes it real for me in a whole different way. 

Faith's Sense Of Right And Wrong

Faith has lived with me since she was six weeks old and I've taught her the basic commands and things to do and not to do. 

She has a strong sense of right and wrong. Sneaking up on the couch is probably the only sneaky thing she ever does. 

Now, I don't care if she's on the couch. My house has long since gone to the dogs, so it doesn't matter. I don't scold her or tell her to get down.

But Faith clearly thinks it matters. Yes, she sneaks up there, but is very upset if she gets "caught."  

I think this is because I may have minded when she was a puppy and told her to get down from the couch back in 2014. 

I took her picture and woke her up. Her tail started its guilty wagging, very fast, and sort of crooked. I know that wag, it only happens when she feels she's done something wrong

Just look at her eyes...

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 I'm sorry I haven't visited your blogs this week, but so many exciting things are happening. My head is spinning and I'm exhausted in a good way. So while I could have found the time, I couldn't focus my brain. 

I will tell you all about it next week. 

Also, thank you for all the lovely birthday greetings for Samson. Joyce came over with ice cream for both of them. It was a wonderful day, celebrating Samson and opening new doors for me.

I will tell you all about it next week.  I know I've said it twice, so it must be true. 

It will be true.

Samson Is 12!

Happy Birthday, Samson

Happy birthday to the kindest, sweetest, most loyal, patient, protective and all around adorable dog I have ever known.

 

Samson when he was a young dog.

And here he is in the present, telling me to get up and out of bed to take him for a walk. 

I love you, my boy. So very much. 

Me too, me too, I love you very much!

Happy Birthday, Samson

Maybe we'll get some 

Ice Cream!

Love, from your sister Faith