Fall came and then went on vacation ......

 

We went hiking last Monday ~ this is one of the photos I took (probably the best one).  Off in the distance is the Kiwanis cabin built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (or CCC as it is commonly known) around 1930.  It is quite tiny in the photo.  If you want to learn more about it, go here.

We had a great day, the sun was warm, but the temperatures mild with just the slightest breeze.  A few weeks ago we had a very windy evening and night with gusts up to 70+.  The results of that were the Aspens that were at the top had all of their leaves blown off.  The forest floor was covered with them.  Luckily there are plenty more that were in a more protected places that are beginning to take on their golden fall colors.  They were only just started to turn when we were there....

 

Beautiful, isn't it?  That is Sioux and Romeo on the trail.  We both tripped and both of us skinned our right knee ~ I found it funny afterward, although I wanted to take a hammer to the root that I tripped over, haha.  Romeo slipped on one of the rocks which have had so many people walk across them that they are smooth and very slippery with a fine coating of dust on them.  It is so dry, that the soil is very like powder.  My ankles and halfway up my calves were coated with it when we got back in the suv to go home. 

Our weather teased us with cooler days ~ in the 50s in the morning to the low 80s to high 70s for a week, but this week the temperatures have climbed back up to the 90s.  Fall is starting out slow, summer still seems to have a firm grip on us.  It has been a very very long summer, and those of us that are ready for cooler weather are ready for it to go!  I do have friends that hate seeing summer end, although I'm not sure if they like for it to be uncomfortably hot or just prefer the longer days ~ I've already noticed it's darker in the morning when I get up.  We all like longer days.....

Although all is going along, sometimes well, sometimes not......I am concerned about the spike in cases in France, India, Israel and other places.  I've heard opinions that here in the states we will probably have another shut down.  I certainly hope not!  Like everyone else, I am ready to be able to step outside without a mask, hug people, be able to converse without feeling like I have to yell to make myself heard. 

We did have a patient that "went off" on us this past week, her husband and son have the same name, and when the claim was posted to the insurance web site I inadvertently posted her son's claim under her husband's name.  She was really po'd, even though she had, right off the bat, stated that the insurance company had resolved the issue based on OUR efforts.  This was a person who just kept berating us for minutes on end, and didn't allow us to have any part of the conversation.  We kept trying to interrupt, but she wasn't having any of it, and was very rude to all of us.  Which resulted in her being booted from the practice.  I was a tiny bit surprised, but honestly, why should anyone have to put up with that type of behavior?  It's still a free country, we don't have to keep on with people that treat the staff like that.  I wrote the "dismissal letter" (because I'm the writer of stuff that comes out of the office for some reason) and the reason given was that we strive to have a positive relationship that is open and honest with our patients where everyone involved is respectful to each other.  So, there she goes.  We all were speculating on if she responds to every "insult" (how dare we make a mistake!) she encounters.  Our consensus was yeah, she does.  Probably because most of the time it works, and she gets what she wants, although in our case, I'm not sure what she wanted.  For us to grovel before her feet perhaps?  :D

Every other Friday I go over to a friend's house to bake.  The Greek Orthodox church we both are members of has a very nice commercial kitchen, and makes good use of it.  When we aren't in a pandemic, we bake goods for the Greek festival (cancelled this year), Festival of Tables (also cancelled, and is a fundraiser for the women's philanthropic group), baptisms, weddings, etc.  The reason we are "practicing" is because Tula (Greek much?) has retired from the position of handling/organizing menus/maintenance....in fact she moved to Austin.  My friend has been given the dubious honor of taking over for her, and she is in the process (the one thing the pandemic has been a blessing, so she didn't get thrown in) of developing some new baked goods, menus, etc.  She is also "training" me to help her out.  I can bake, no question.  But she is a trained cook, has her culinary degree, and knows much more than I do. 

Yesterday we made these pavlova shells (bottom right) and meringue kisses.  Aren't they gorgeous?  It's a lot of fun even if it is exhausting to work from 7:40 - 2, then go and bake for 5 more hours.  Still, fun fun, and I need some fun!  These particular meringue kisses have been flavored (very delicately I might add) with watermelon flavoring.  I can't wait to try them!

May you all have a great weekend!

Love, 365

    

Contentious with a hint of blue skies....

 I wish I knew who the photographer is on this photo, but just so pretty.

It has been a lovely Friday.  Went to get my hair cut, then to my friend's house to watch the men's final of the U.S. Open (tennis).  Romeo was feeling a little bit neglected I think....    A big factor is that it's my Friday off.  😛

Ms Loud took Thursday off, so it was nice to have a little break.  Did I tell you before that she is talking about retiring in January?  I think I did ~ and as wonderful as that would be, I think it's just hot air.

I had asked our OM for 3 to 4 additions to my PTO (paid time off) in lieu of a raise, and although I don't think that will happen, she did give me and one of my other co-workers 3 more paid days off this year.  I will take it!! I already asked to be off on Oct. 1.  No rhyme or reason, just a day off, giving me 5 days in a row instead of 4 on one of my 4 day weekends.  I am so spoiled.  

So, although the world at large is still a stressful place ~ especially with the election rhetoric heating up ~ there have been a few bright spots here and there to keep me from running around screaming.  Which might scare Romeo, not to mention the neighbors.

I hope all of you have a few bright spots too.  Enjoy your weekend!

Love, 365

What do we do now?........

We are on the cusp of my favorite season of the year.  Yeah, I'm a fall junkie.  I love fall colors, fall food (pumpkin pie, apple pie, roasted chicken ~ everything we don't usually cook during the hot summer months).  Some of the most beautiful landscape paintings or photos are painted/taken during the fall.  

 Fall is also the season of flu, colds and other crappy illnesses.  Romeo bugged me relentlessly to get my flue shot, even though I thought it was a little early, which I did get last weekend.  Not that I am expecting it to help with Covid, of course.  With Covid on the scene, and cases starting to rise again (see above) and in France, we all know this is not over.  Not by a long shot.  😕 

The West coast is still burning.  I feel so sorry for all of those that have lost their lives, their homes and possessions, their pets.  So much gone.  There have been Facebook sunset/sunrise photos in New Mexico that have tragically been more colorful (and beautiful) because of all the smoke in the air.  I certainly hope that the fires are put out soon.  And I think we should all pray for those firefighters who's lives are on the line trying to protect lives and property.  

Sadly, there is enough bad news, I could fill this post with it and it would end up being the longest post ever.  It's not easy to try to maintain a positive attitude these days.  We don't want to bury our heads in the sand, but at the same time we don't want to walk around with a black cloud over our heads day in and day out.  I will respond with silliness.......   

 

 

 

 

 

And......my favorite....

Yes.......

I hope all of you have a great week, in spite of the challenges.

Love, 365

 

 

Lazy Sunday......and happy Labor Day!

 

Saw a lot more, this is one of them.....Love, cactus style 😊

Hmmmm, what a great idea!

Well, it has been a pretty boring week, except for that this week Ms Loud has a new theory.  The rapture.  The rapture is an eschatological concept wherein living Christians and those that are "resurrected" are carried up to the clouds to be with or meet the Lord.  Sort of like "Left Behind".  There are quite a few movies in this genre.  I think that perhaps, although she doesn't want to admit it, she is terrified.  The fun never ever ends with this one.  Everyone else is looking forward to fall, and she is preparing for the rapture.  

I shall be very tempted in January to ask her what happened.......but I will not, because that just encourages her to spout off another crazy idea.  

We had a few days in the 80s, but the temps just climb back into the 90s.  It was over 100 for two or three days for my family in south Texas.  My son works as a mechanic in a shop that doesn't air condition the shop.  Cruelty.  

Here's a new Amazon story ~ I ordered Romeo a hands free leash, and when the package came, it was empty.  So, yes, that is correct ~ some automated system sealed the package, put an address label on it, sent it off via UPS,   Where it landed on our doorstep with absolutely nothing in it.  So I sent to Amazon and explained what happened, and of course they agreed to refund me the money.  They did offer to refund me via a gift card so that I could re-order right away, but I declined that offer.  Do I really want to try again? 

I did a search on hands free leashes, and found Iron Doggy.  This is a company in Colorado, so I hoped it would arrive quickly, which it did.  And Romeo loves it.  It has the added bonus of reducing the pulling, it doesn't tangle around the dogs feet or around Romeo's legs if she dashes around him.  I am so relieved, because I've seen some of the areas they hike/run in, and truthfully I was worried she would pull him over onto the rocks, or worse, into a big ol cactus (we have lots and lots of that).  So, if you are interested in a hands free leash, I will put a little promotion out for this company....

Romeo does run with Sioux, but you don't have to be a runner to appreciate hands free dog walking.

Well!  Enjoy your long weekend!  

Love, 365