Last night, I wrote about my summer-time sleep habit of afternoon (late afternoon) nap and then enjoying the evening into the late (for me) hours.

But, Emmett and I are still up and outside early, enjoying the cool morning. Margaret noted in a comment last post that I am adopting “Mediterranean rhythms” – she lives in Greece. Interesting!

This morning, after our first walk, I told Emmett that he could stay outside while I made coffee … if he wanted to.

He did, but he kept a somewhat worried looking eye on me through the kitchen window. Usually, he follows me inside and I left the door open so he could, but it was so nice out …

Still waiting…

Finally! Coffee in hand, Emmett with a treat and I had a look at the tomato plants…

THAT!!! That is the first Manitoba tomato!

Some baby Husky Cherry tomatoes!

The top largest tomato is the Husky Cherry that was on the plant when I bought it. The rest are new and look good.

I don’t know if any will have time to grow and turn red, especially the Manitoba, but the good news is that the plants are thriving, i.e. I haven’t killed them yet!!

Happy Friday to all from Emmett and me!

I am typically an “early to bed, early to rise” person, i.e. NOT a night owl … more of an early bird.

But, from childhood, I have loved getting up in the middle of the night to see the moon and the night sky.

Two years ago, when I had an unexpected work hiatus (30 days turned into 4.5 months) from July through October, my sleep/wake behavior got a bit topsy-turvy. I often napped late afternoon, and then up middle of the night … sometimes doing some baking in the wee hours.

As a 1 human household, there is no need to worry about disturbing anyone’s routine/sleep … I LOVE this and would find it challenging to accommodate another human …

Fast forward to now and this hot summer and work/living situation being on my mind … and I find myself again going upside down/topsy turvy with the sleep and work cycle. And I LOVE it.

It is approaching 10:30 p.m. as I write this :)

I napped this afternoon from 4:00 ish until 5:30.

Emmett joined me … he LOVES afternoon naps!

So, now … it is cooling beautifully, I had a 2nd wind of work time, it is time for a new moon …

Working in the night …

Shutting down now, thinking about a bit of a snack … then a last out with Emmett and then to bed: Embracing the night!

*** a post script for me so I can refer to this date … Emmett had an allergy/anti-itch shot today. Last year, I tried various remedies before finally taking him to the Vet (in September). This year we were proactive: skin/allergy shampoo … but in the last week, the itching escalated so … the shot which inhibits the itch/scratching so protects his skin as well as making him more comfortable. We continue with the shampoo. I have “bath” type as well as a leave in type (foamy mousse kind of thing) so we alternate.`

And a time for everything under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 3 … King Solomon)

No definite information or decision(s) yet.

I continue to counsel myself every morning, to let all rest and enjoy the day, moment by moment.

I still do not have a preference … no definitive “I want to stay or sell” desire. I am still excited by either option.

In the woods, I look at the familiar progression of wildflowers, grasses, bushes and trees. (AND, I think of Autumn!!! … it is not near as hot as last week, but still hotter than I prefer.)

The front porch is a lovely oasis of beauty and peace in the morning.

I am loving the colors and variety and more than any year before, I am enjoying taking care of everything.

A time for every activity under the sun … we play!

“To everything there is a season. A time for everything under the sun.” I am unsure what brought those verses to mind, but it was good to think on them this morning … and let those words be my guide for the day.

Yes, that is a song title from 1966!! I only know that as I Googled.

I was in “town” today … Kalispell, MT … for a dental appointment. I very much dislike leaving Emmett when it is so hot and I don’t like to leave the A/C units all running … my worry being fire. I set them up to 75F vs 68F so that the fans would run, but compressors not kick in unless house got too warm… AND, I have my Echo (Amazon) devices set to “listen” for smoke alarms … HOO RAH!!

Good news, is that I arrived home and house was 71F so perfectly comfortable and quiet-ish and no issues.

Emmett was happy to see me and we went out immediately to check things out: Jeep, garage, yard … AND play in the hose!!!

It is “slightly” cooler today … 93F vs 96F and even in town it showed 95F vs 99-100F. Still HOT!

I let the Jeep sit with windows and hatch open while in the dentist and even it was not as hot as I feared when I went to drive home.

So … semi-stressful run to town in the heat, but Emmett is well (!!!), house was not over heated, I was not over heated, the plants are ok … so YEA! PLUS, some things I thought might be dental issues are not and I am established at a new dentist and another YEA!!

Temps are to remain hot, but low 90’s F vs high 90’s and better overnight cooling.

For the curious and/or those of my vintage wanting to step into the way back machine :)

Previous post … still photos of getting the last plants in planters including three tomato plants.

I had my phone rolling to catch a little video, which I planned on using as instructional (to me!) for sound and other video editing that I want to learn.

BUT, there was a snippet, that is so funny, that I am once more putting my vanity mostly aside … early morning with no effort at making myself presentable except for editing out a LOT of me bending over with my backside to the camera … no one needs to see THAT!!

So, here you go: staking tomatoes using Emmett’s stick. I know, that pretty much gives it away :)

Before continuing …

Yes … YIKES!!!

The good news is that I have all three of my behemoth A/C units set up and running. Provided we have no electricity supply issues, Emmett and I will be cool :)

So, Front porch gardening …

I filled out the tiered planter with some herbs: 2 varieties of thyme and some coleus and impatiens for color.

AND, I bought 3 tomato plants: 2 “Husky Cherry” and 1 “Manitoba”. Both are low, shrub kind of plants that should do well in containers … hopefully!

A moveable “garden” … tomatoes in fabric planters in the wheelbarrow (for now) and the tiered planter.

All of the wheelie things allow a chasing of the sun!

Early days, but so far … all is doing well and no overnight critter munching!

I know it is likely to be mid or end of August before I have tomatoes (assuming things continue well), but one of the cherry tomato plants has a wee tomato and some blossoms. VERY exciting :)

Meanwhile … We take MANY “sprinkler” breaks!!

I am using time playing in the sprinkler as a reward for coming when called and generally good behavior of any sort. It also gives ME (and my back) a break as I do the “gardening” and other outside chores.

Plus.

So.Much.Fun !!!

Sprinkler head!!

Small batch of potato and egg for potato salad. I captured in a video (soon :) ), but Instant Pot to the rescue for summer cooking: steamed beets, pasta for pasta salad and the above potato salad fixings.

Morning after planting … Tomatoes set to catch the first morning sun…

Lovely, cool, early morning … from the front porch.

Sharing, next to me … a little fuzzy critter on the impatiens!

Here we go, Summer!

FROM the front porch :)