Sunday June 18

Greetings Fathers and Mothers

135.5 today. Still working off the pizza splurge. Gallery duty at the other gallery today. Yesterday at the gallery was fun. We have a beautiful little garden (building is a 100+ year old house) and the California poppies are in full bloom. I noticed a man taking pictures of the poppies and went out and struck up a conversation. The couple were German tourists and I invited them into the gallery. They said they would stop in after they took other pictures and they did. The guy was obviously a camera nut so I suggested he look at the work of gallery photographers and they did and bought some cards. Then I suggested they take a little road that has the most breathtaking views around here. They hadn't heard of it so off they went. Later I learned they came back to the gallery to thank me for the suggestion as they had a wonderful day. It felt good to send a little American good will to Germany.

Ann welcome back to the group and to retirement.

Still loving the Aruba Chronicles and also the Shel hiking Chronicles. What beautiful views! I am astonished at your ability to go up the boulder strewn trails. Mother nature provides the best gym of all. Shel do you ever do the same hike a second time? Loads of trails there I bet. What shoes or boots do you wear for hiking?

Spent yesterday struggling with iPad of 80 year old friend. Its a used iPad and is a little wonky. My friend has an almost phobic fear of the thing and gets flustered. I think its possessed.

Devon, stay cool. Do your dogs like a wading pool? I had a cairn once that would go underwater to retrieve a ball. Its going to get busy around here as people inland come to the coast to flee the heat.

May we all have quality bathroom time and peace. Diane S

I love the tips from locals when traveling. Good for you for representing the US in such a positive way ;)

There are so many hikes around that I haven't repeated much. If I do, it is usually to go farther or up a more challenging trail.

For example, yesterday's hike could be extended to Mt Defiance for just a few extra miles, more elevation and another lake. That really appeals to me but I have zero desire to put on hiking spikes for snow or to lose the trail (and myself) in snow. So, I will wait until the all-clear is given by the more adventuresome hikers. I love the website where hikers give trail reports. There are also a couple of hikes (including yesterday) that give spectacular views on a clear day so I might repeat just for that.

I wear lightweight hiking boots that go up to my ankles. They don't support my ankles but they do keep water/debris out better than a hiking shoe would.

Jeepers, I no sooner post than see that Dave is back. Good deal. I have a friend who is a fairly new bee keeper and he got honey last year for the first time. Our food Coop has a number of kinds of honey - blackberry, clover and others. Different colors. More intense flavor. Lots of bee keepers around here which is so important for pollination. The almond farmers inland rent bees to pollinate. Some hives were stolen south of here. We try to keep hummingbird friendly plants because we like the birds but bees probably like them too. Yay for bees! Diane S