Perfect Summer Day

Today was a great mowing day. The temperature was very mild, skies clear. As I mowed, swallows were swooping down in front and behind me, catching the insects that were tossed up by the mower. There were probably a dozen of them, some coming pretty close to me. Jim mowed the last bit on the side of the driveway for me.

He was really busy today. He's nearly finished putting the solar reflective blanket in the attic. He's been going up every morning and spending an hour or two up there before the attic temperature gets too hot. It's also limiting because he has to get into contorted positions on his knees, on his back, on his side, balancing on the rafters. He's ended up battered and bruised, but he's conquered it. We're expecting to see the effects of this material immediately in lower energy bills and a more constant household temperature. We're looking forward to a cooler second floor in summer and more even temperatures throughout in the winter. Jim also set up our rain barrel today, although it isn't hooked up to the downspout yet.

We have some beautiful lilies in bloom now. They're a soft pink color. The blooms are on top-heavy stems, and some of them have fallen over. I probably should be staking them for support. The tomatoes are really taking off, and so is the yellow squash and pepper plant. Little flowers are showing up on the plants. I need to get out there tomorrow and attack the weeds again. You wouldn't know I weeded it a week ago.

PHOTO: Beautiful stained glass, Murano, Italy