My driving day today, from beautiful sunrise on the way to work, and then torrential downpour on the way home.

A home store had an incredibly huge array of Halloween decorations already on display. I wouldn’t mind one of these lifelike skeletons to perch on top of a high cabinet, but not for $60. 

There was only one Minneapolis Moline at the Pageant of Steam in Berryville, VA today but I was happy to see it. Love these tractors.

A cracking thunderstorm blew out the power at work. Everywhere was dark except my office, on battery back up. But not enough incentive to stay, it was nearly home time so I left to start the weekend early.

A cherry tomato after the rain, and just before it was popped into my mouth. 

About a mile from home and the storm is rolling in. The string of white globes on the right are Purple  Martin houses, they’re put up every year by a considerate neighbor. I got home just in time for Rosie Lee to scarf some dinner before hiding under the bed from the thunder claps. Tricksie Treat seems to be unaffected by storms, big kudos.

Our local Anglican Church is having a clean up. They can come and do my house next!

It seems to be an ongoing dilemma that sunflowers must suffer growth problems at Meadow House. The damn storms almost broke this stem in half, but not to be overcome, I used 2 Walmart paint mixing sticks and fashioned a splint. We’ll see how that holds up. For now the other sunflower is holding its own...

Came across this little flock after picking up my free range eggs. Yep. And they weren’t there on the way to the egg farm. So they likely came from the house to the left of the photo. A couple in a car tried to pass me. When I asked them for help herding them back home their noses immediately went skyward so I told them I should have realized at once that they were obviously lacking in community spirit and sent them on their way. The next car did stop and help. It took the three of us less than 5 minutes to herd the cluckers back into their yard. A happy end to the eggsperience.

Joined a group for a small hike around Manassas Battlefields and then watched a living history demonstration in the pouring rain. Beats sitting indoors!

Funny how things work out. I’d pulled Big Red out of the barn and had spent an hour trying to find my boat roller to get it up on Stanley. Couldn’t find it so was having a consolation beer on the patio when the event organizer sent a message canceling it until August due to tomorrow’s rain forecast. So pleased I’d been unable to load up the boat. Now time for a celebratory beer!

Watching a webinar about a new software that’s just been launched. Might have to be a work purchase as I could use it for company social media as well as my photos. 

My new work computer, fully loaded with the best RAM, graphics card, actually best of everything. And of course lights, I wanted lots of lights, the colors of which I can change with a program on the computer. New monitors, new desk, new chair. Have I forgotten anything?

The setting sun glinting on my tray of old and foreign money near the window illuminated them, making them look like a dish of gold coins.

I had to design some odd shirt backs for The Nationals baseball team to be worn during practice. I had to match their previous text style and size exactly. They should be OK with my efforts. Checking some of my film here against one of their shirts.

My first ripe tomatoes of the season. And they tasted wonderful!

Andrew loaded with sweet goodies from a candy store in PA while we were out urbexing.

Tricksie Treat loves the cat tower. I’ve never known a cat sleep so much, wondering if it’s because of the 10 months stuck in a cage. Next week I’ll encourage her to move around the house a bit more.

I have 2 sunflowers that self seeded from last year growing beautifully outside my window. Both are staked well, over 6ft tall already, with flowers soon to be blooming. It was an unexpected pleasure to see these flourishing.

A stunning dawn sky as I drove down Rte 66.

Our new addition to the family, Trixie. She’ll have a longer name later, more interested in getting her settled. She’s had it tough the last few months.

I haven’t bought lunch at work for a few weeks so treated myself to a Banh Mi sandwich from the local Megabytes Eatery. Perfection.

This little guy seemed to enjoy his shower when I watered the plants. I bet those drops of water cooled him off nicely.

7 July 2018

Enjoying a glass of a local rosé wine while waiting for the fireworks to start.

This is my ‘photo’ for the day because after tomorrow it may not be applicable, but for today it’s a nice thought to think that football might ‘be coming home’.

Emily’s up in NH picking up some of my favorite brew for me. Great Rhythm Brewing loved my fan shirt but I bet not as much as I love their beer! Can’t wait for it to arrive!

As well as grabbing some of the sofa when Rosie Lee gave up some space, I did a lot of housework today. This was taken while scrubbing my oven glass door, loved the bubbles patterns.

I always love looking at Cobbler Mountain when I go and pick up my free range eggs a couple of miles from the house. It’s a perfect dome, maybe housing some aliens like in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

I never tire of this nmbeautiful view just a few minutes from my house on the way to work.

A friend’s Dad had his 90th Birthday party today. He was tricked with the candles, they kept reigniting when he blew them out. “You guys are screwing me, aren’t ya?” he hollered!