Sometimes you get more than you paid for

We bought a new peace lily yesterday and when I was getting ready to repot it, I discovered I was being watched!

Sometimes he is cute and sometimes he is not

Both of his favorite toys tucked neatly under his chin, doesn't he look at peace with the world. Petey's favorite place to sleep when not on one of us, tucked in the top of the living room couch. And this poor guy, which was on display UP on a desk in the den, will never grow back the leg that is now in Petey's stomach.... well at least that is where we think it is since we can't find it. So much for the nice star fish gift that Ellen and Isaiah bought for me.... bummer. And so much for not wearing Petey out after he patiently hung out with us in the office all day and then we had the audacity to leave him and go out for dinner. Not to worry, I repaid him by throwing one of his toys DOWN the drive way for him to fetch and bring back to me at the TOP of the drive way.... heh heh heh... I must admit he lasted a lot longer than I thought he would.

Raccoon

Petey and I were treated to a huge raccoon in the back yard last night when we went out about 9pm. It was up in a tree about 30 feet away and about the size of a koala. Judging from how Petey sniffed about this morning around our porch and by the french doors on our deck, I am guessing the raccoon made himself at home there. Not a fellow I would want to tangle with on my own...about the size of a cocker spaniel. oooeeee

A day for bugs and such

Found this dude on 4th of July right after he molted. Bry confirmed my guess that he is a mayfly or could be was a mayfly by now.... not a long life span I guess And this huge monster decided to scare the living bajeebas out of me this afternoon when I came back from the grocery store. He is a big as our threshold and didn't seem inclined to want to move except to jump at me. Funny how something probably one/hundreth my size can make me go to the garage for a broom to gently escort him/her to a spot more to my liking in the pinestraw covered triangle between the house and garage. I wish him/her well..... there.

Planets

Bry and Kim celebrated the 4th with us and brought over the new telescope. It was well worth the mosquito bites to see Venus, Jupiter and 3 of his/her moons and my favorite, Saturn and, what appeared in the telescope to be, its mono ring. Exceptionally cool. Can't wait til the fall when it is darker earlier and there is less haze from the heat. :-)

The birthday party finale

Wood and I had the BEST time watching and interacting with Ellen and her friends at the park. You haven't lived until you've seen 5 little 4 year olds running through the park holding hands. Or watched Isaiah try to pick up and hold 4 different sized balls all at the same time. Such a kick.

More Ellen's 4th

Ellen was quite pleased with her birthday flowers! Sarah don't kill me for the 8th month pregnant picture, but she does look just about ready to pop, don't you think. Ellen proclaimed that she will be the next pilot to fly the "duck duck " goose :-) Isaiah just loved all the planes. Next time hope we can get to the kids section where they can actually play on some stuff. Even without that they loved it...... well maybe alllllmost as much as Wood.

Ellen's 4th birthday

The kids came to swim at the hotel pool one evening. What a blast!

Visit to Sequim

We went with Sue and Ron to Port Townsend (I think) and had the best time walking on the beach, viewing the battlements, checking out a beautiful park and then window shopping.