Lunacy in the AM

I just got in from watching the lunar eclipse. No pictures this time, because I'm housesitting and I didn't have my tripod with me. But I did have a telescope, which I set up in the middle of the street ( it's a cul-de-sac and it's not like I was going to get run over by the milktruck) which allowed me to share the experience with a woman walking her dog at 5:15 AM. I'm glad I have a cat.

The streetlights in the cul-de-sac didn't allow for the greatest viewing, but because the development backs up to a stretch of woods, I did get to have a special eclipse experience. At the moment of totality, I heard it.





He was up rather early, too.

Odds and Ends

-- I'm sure you've all been wondering about the state of my back. I'm happy to say things have improved significantly, probably because I've started playing in the pool almost every day. I spend at least half an hour water walking and working with the foam dumb bells and yes, Hedera, doing crunches to work on my "core."

I love it.

I like to think of it as "playing" rather than exercise. I have so much fun in the water (even though my skin and hair are paying the price). I watch the people on the treadmills and stairmasters and nobody looks like they're enjoying themselves very much. Fools.

--It has not escaped my notice that ever since this the Tigers have been tanking. The bullpen has fallen apart, the big hitters are flailing and the defense is phoning it in.

And in his news conference today:

“There is a lot of work left to be done, don’t get me wrong,” Mr. Bush said. “If one were to look hard, they could find indications that — more than indications, facts that show the government is learning how to function.”

I give this parliament three months, tops.

--And finally, it's damned hot.

Who needs Provence?

I housesit a lot. Apparently people feel I'm responsible enough to entrust their homes, cats, dogs or horses to me. It's like taking a little vacation, especially when the house looks out on this:



That's sunset over Pilot Mountain (or Mount Pilot, as it's known to the denizens of Mayberry,which is just up the road.)

In the foreground you can see part of the vineyard. North Carolina has quite the thriving wine industry and while these folks don't produce their own wines yet, they have 35 acres of vineyard and sell their grapes to the local wineries.

It's beautiful country up here, quiet and green. I've seen hawks, deer, beavers and the neighbor's cows. Oh, and there's the pool, too.

C'est belle!