Hot. Melting. Almost no breeze.

The deck feels like an oven. I have finished lunch and have been trying to complete something, anything, for the past sixty minutes. When a breeze does pass through, I seem to halt so I can savor it. I thought about bringing a fan to the deck as I have done in previous years, but even that motivation rapidly dwindles.

Nature beckoned me from my bed at 2:30 AM. I decided to cool off on the deck, allowing the pooches some additional potty time and a chance to lounge about the deck. Of course, “lounging” means nothing to Col. Deeds to attempted to rouse the other four in games of chase. By 4:30 AM, sleep was still not in the cards, so I returned to my bed and watched the numbers five-three-zero appear on my clock.

At 7:00 AM, forty-five minutes past my typical time to rise and fade up into my day, I looked around the bed and floor to amazingly see The FabFive still sleeping. Normally, every morning at 5:45 AM, on the dot, Col. Deeds, if not already sleeping beside me, springs onto the bed, ignoring the fact that Dad’s body is not a landing zone, and snuggles for the remaining thirty minutes. This morning, the little fellow was out cold.

The forecast last evening demonstrated a wide band of thunderstorms moving southeasterly across the Miami Valley but by 4 AM, everything was changed.  The morning, now remaining dark until 7 AM, indicated rain might join us but that, too, was to pass. The morning was a mix of napping, making notes, and listening to podcasts. Col. Deeds had Chief up on his feet for some minor exercise and play, and at one point had enticed Chief off the deck to chase one another in the yard. Chief is mostly sedentary unless roused by suspicious activity in the backyard to which he will hurry to investigate. Mostly, he allows the others to search to make sure it’s something worth employing much physical energy.

The skies are cloudy and a welcome breeze creates a stir of rustling leaves and clanging wind chimes.

Tonight, I plan on joining other house managers and Dayton Live personnel in some food, beverage, and entertainment. I am always hesitant to emerge for social gatherings but I will make a sincere effort to attend this event. In the meantime, I have some work I can hopefully accomplish before it is time to ready myself.

Make it a great day!

TODAY’S ART OFFERING:

The Beach at Trouville (1870) by Claude Monet.