Sometimes the best-laid plans...

...WORK OUT!

After having to forego a picnic on the beach Sabbath, and coffee with a different girlfriend yesterday, I was getting a little worried about whether or not today's plans would happen. But hallelujah, a long anticipated beach ride with Wanda Jenkins came to pass! She arrived around 9:00, and after meeting the dogs and sheep we loaded up our stuff along with Russell and Breezy and headed down the road to Lincoln City.

It was a cool, grey day, with a mere whisper of a breeze. We wore light jackets and were comfortable. It's been several years since Russell and I have been to the beach and we don't know Breezy's history, so both horses were extremely reluctant to get anywhere near the water. The tide was coming in, though, so there was no firm sand to make the going easier for our mounts except at the water's edge. Eventually Russell was plodding along in the shallows, with Breezy following behind at Wanda's steady encouragement.

We played dualing cameras-

acted as horsey ambassadors -

and enjoyed watching a surprising number of these -
along with a seal and a couple of intrepid surfers.

It was a wonderful excursion, thanks in large part to Wanda's most pleasant company. Conversation was easy and uplifting, with lots of shared beliefs and experiences.

And just in case you were wondering, I also took delivery of a (yes, another) lovely Jenkins Turkish spindle. Photos later; my camera's battery died at the beach and is recharging. Now I must go and do the same (recharge, not die!).

That's my report on a wonderful day, from . . .

Relief

Or "Hurray, it doesn't feel like Phoenix anymore!"! Our heat wave finally broke late yesterday afternoon, when the leaves started rustling with a cool coast breeze. I opened up the windows and doors as the wind picked up to blow out all the stuffiness, and rejoiced when it actually got chilly enough inside to enjoy a hot drink before bedtime.

Most of the day was hot and still. I donned shorts, turned the ceiling fan on high and listened to stories of 9/11 on public radio while I knitted and spun. I finished the lace section of my mini-Kleio:

and made significant progress on my BFL/silk roving from Laura:
She calls this colorway "Water Lilies," and it has a refreshingly cool spectrum that amuses me by suggesting other names as I work through the sections, like "Peacock" and "Neon Jellybean."

It was cool enough this morning that I actually wanted to be outside, and sat with my girls for awhile after chores. My Minnesota girls were especially lovey:
Have you ever noticed the cute little racing stripes that gulmogets have on the back of their pasterns?

That's it for now from . . .

No beach photos...

...because my ox fell in the ditch! (Luke 14:5)

Jackson didn't touch his breakfast or have his usual energy this morning. I chalked it up to an upset tummy after eating something unsavory, but figured he'd be fine resting at home with Dozer while I was gone for the day. After church I called Rick (who is in MN) to tell him of a church member who passed away yesterday, and mentioned that Jackson wasn't well. Rick thought it would be prudent to go home and take Jackson's temperature rather than heading to the beach as planned. That turned out to be good advice; Jackson had thrown up a lot of water and mucous and was feeling even punier, no doubt dehydrated. I ended up driving him to a vet clinic for sub-Q fluids and medication to stop the vomiting. He hasn't thrown up since and is a bit perkier, so I think he's on the mend.

It was a HOT day here, hitting at least 100 degrees with no breeze even now (we usually get a cooling coastal breeze in the evening). After tomorrow the temps are supposed to start coming down into a more normal range for us. I'm counting on it!

That's it for today from . . .

Sleep-walking

By 6:00 this morning I had driven my guys to the airport (1.5 hours away) and returned home. Even though I'd had less than three hours' sleep, I didn't dare lie down when I got home; I had creatures depending on me for turn-out, food and water. After chores I decided I'd better get Russell out for his rehab ride while it was still relatively cool. Since then I haven't been very productive, even though the house is trashed and needs a thorough cleaning, peaches need to be put up before they spoil, there's food for tomorrow to prepare, and I need to make a run to town to deal with some banking issues and run other errands. I will get it all done so I can enjoy the Sabbath rest, though. After church I'm going to the beach with a friend and her daughter for a picnic lunch (and maybe supper, too!) and a break from the heat; oh, I am looking forward to that!

Rick and Brian will be gone for a week. On the one hand that means extra work for me, but it also offers sweet solitude and the freedom to do a few things that a full-time mother/schoolteacher can't usually fit in. I just need to make sure that getting enough sleep is at the top of the list!

That's it for now from . . .