Friday Miscellany

After five days of much needed and long overdue rain, I awoke this morning to sunny skies. It was a welcome treat, but I only hope Mr. Sun does not decide to scorch us with the 100 plus temperatures we had last week.

I am loving this retirement thing. Actually I think retirement is the wrong word; it conjures up images of "not doing much," at least in my mind, and that certainly has not been the case for me the past three weeks (has it really been three weeks; how the time flies when you're enjoying yourself).


I like making my own schedule, sleeping in a bit if I feel like it, not feeling rushed to get every task and chore completed on a timeline. I have tried not to be very structured; I just do things as I feel like it. As time goes by, I plan to get my schedule more organized. I'm still waiting for a yoga class and am very much looking forward to that.


I read an article today, 8 easy steps to improve your handwriting, from matadornetwork.com, that interested me. You might want to read it if the subject interests you. The one tip that was surprising is that you should move your shoulder, not your wrist and fingers, when you write. Now I'm going to have to practice that one. Finding the correct pen for yourself also is important. Since I don't own a Mont Blanc fountain pen, I prefer using Precise V5 Rolling Ball Extra Fine in Black. I will begin practicing these eight steps tomorrow!

The latest pet report is that Kitty Sox and the dogs, Valerie and Kris, are fully integrated. We had to take it one step at the time. First Sox stayed confined to a room in the basement. Gradually, Kris started following me down when I went to attend to her. The two of them made friends quickly, Kris being more nervous about the situation than Sox. Valerie began standing at the top of the steps, curious about what was going on. Sox began to leave the room and hop up the steps. As of last week, she came all the way up to the main floor and she and Valerie sniffed around the made friends quite quickly.


Sox has now decided that perhaps she would like to live on the top floor and is camping out in one of the spare bedrooms. She has made herself quite at home. The dogs are very curious about all her comings and goings, but I am quite thankful it has been a peaceful blending.

Sox, who thinks she now rules the roost!

After Sox moved to the 2nd floor, Valerie stood and gazed up, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

Valerie has never gone up or down steps (a hang-up she has for unknown reasons). But since Sox moved upstairs, Valerie has gone half-way up the steps. 

I have found a new friend!

Have you heard about the solar radiation storm in progress? A news report tonight indicated we might be able to see something in the sky beginning Saturday, July 14, at dawn (in the U.S.)?

No cause for concern, the experts tell us, although satellite communications could be affected. Northern Lights generated by the event may be viewed as far south as Florida. I don't know about you, but I'm going to try and see this. Read the story at NASA Science

Here's wishing a safe and happy weekend!