Life, Interrupted

It's 1:30 am. I understand why the tropics and Latin countries take their siesta and then return to work or dinner later in the evening. Right now, the days are nothing but a blast furnace. I've been at the open mouths of furnaces, casting gold or observing glass blowing. The wind is not even neutral -- it's hot. It drains the energy from your veins. I can barely think, much less write or even remember what I was doing. Since I think I know where the next 75 pages of SPIRIT TRACKS is going, this heat fog is unfortunate at the least.

As an acquaintance said at the end of May: "Did anyone else notice we had August in May?" We also had it in June...now in July. I'm already plotting an escape in August.

August is often like this, but mid-July? We often have late afternoon thunderstorms kick up. Not this time. A few places north and south of Austin had brief downpours from the remnants of Dolly. The rest of us pray for a tropic storm strong enough to get to central Texas, but not landing as a hurricane.

I'm watering the trees now. When a 30-40 foot tree has wilted leaves throughout the day, and they don't perk up at night? That's a problem. That's a deeply stressed -- even dying -- tree. I couldn't stand watching some neighbors letting their trees die by inches -- I wrote a "care for your tree" epistle for the local neighborhood Yahoo Group -- in hopes that the people who own that dying Montezuma cypress start watering the tree before it's not half brown but all brown.

I figure I'll be up another 45 minutes -- brain coming back online. I'll be a night stalker yet. So, gonna go put out a hose. Technically, it's now my day to water. So might as well make the most of it. And there's CL to add to the pool -- night is best, otherwise it would burn off in about 5 minutes. Must do Tai Chi -- been too tired for it two days running.

Other people get up very early to do things. I used to get up at 7 am and garden until 9 am -- it was then too hot for me to work outside until almost sundown. Now, with my cycle reversed, I get half the days' chores done before 2:30 am.

It's unseasonably cool up where my family has a cottage -- cannot wait to get to Michigan. Hope you have some coolness where you are.

I miss San Francisco, and I haven't even written the report yet.

When I can’t remember the last time I’ve written, it’s been too long.

My sisters are here, as well as my 16-year-old nephew. He’s taking an expensive week-long workshop in creating computer games (it seems to be teaching him how to model 3-D characters on computers) and my sisters are using it as an excuse to drive down and terrorize me.
( I’m doomed )
( In the tomato trenches )
( Hibiscus! )
( Writing and Web doom )
Mike the fix-it man has returned, his wife is home and coping with her loss, and materials are piling up in the side yard, a good sign of framing tomorrow.

I think I’ll do a bit of Tai Chi and try to sleep! ‘Night --

This has been one of those weekends where by the end you go "huh?" and are only tired.

( Of tomatoes and T'ai Chi CHih )
I've noticed new names appearing on the friends list. Welcome! If I haven't dropped by yet in return, it's because my time is crazed right now, and I don't get to do very many things just for me -- like plant tomatoes. If you're a blast from the past or a writer I should know, let me know. Otherwise, welcome to the whimsy, the political grumpiness (yes, I'm grumpy. I hate partisan politics and hate incompetence) and even con sightings and writing reports!

About time for a private journal report (yes, I've been avoiding it, I'm human...). If you want to be on the weird medical reports, give me a good reason to add you. Otherwise, another tomato report in a day or so.

Still haven't finished that SF short that has heritage roses in it. At this rate, it will be Labor Day when it's done. I'd better plan to read it at the next con. Speaking of...I need to accept a con invitation, if it's still open.

Pleasant dreams, all --