September 4, 2008

No weather...Atlanta is becoming proof of entropy. No weather, no movement, just heat. Normal day, nothing new or outrageous. McCain's speech was unusual, more than a little bizarre. --"Kick the Buggers Out!" Except, we are the buggers.-- there was more than a little dissonance. It made me like him more, but reinforced my conviction that it would be impossible for him to ever earn my vote.

Marian slept with me last night. She hasn't spent the night with us since we began enforcing nighttime sleeping without breastfeeding first. I missed her terribly when we went to bed, and a wonderful coincidence, she couldn't sleep. It was the perfect excuse to sweep her out of her playpen and take her into the family room where we curled up on the couch. She quickly settled down and nestled next to me. Amy went out with friends last night, by herself. We switched cars after football practice and I went home to put the baby to bed and eat dinner by myself in front of the Republican Convention. Practice was good, nice to be out, but light on the work-out and light on socialization. I'm falling out of shape, but not sure how to make a change, yet.

At front of the house, beautiful vine-like plant with tri-compound leaves, pinnate to oval shaped leaflets, and beautiful, tall and wide florescence of blue pea flowers. Not sure what it is.

August 30-September1

Nice weather all weekend. Not hot, overcast for much of the weekend. Gerri went to TN to visit her mother. Amy, Marian, and I were left to ourselves. Saturday was beautiful. Birthday party for Sarah Harper at the little park on Cumberland, Robert grilled hamburgers. Marian loved the slide and swings. Saw some purple Shiso (Perilla) on the way, roadside next to a little creek/stream. Saw Marie for the first time since Dana's wedding that afternoon. And I discovered Zyrtec (made me a new person). Ragweed and Giant Ragweed are in bloom - I've never noticed allergies before, but I was suffering from something this year. Even had nausea, but the Zyrtec cleared it up and gave me energy that I still can't believe.

Sunday started with a leisurely breakfast and then the Decatur Book Festival. Marian enjoyed a Capoeira demonstration. Amy and I enjoyed a Red Seal and Well's Bombardier at Brick Store. With clear and pleasant weather, I made some progress on the reed fence in the back. And cut a few more of the patterned pieces for the baby gate. Disappointed that what I thought was common primrose or cutleaf primrose may merely be a type of wild lettuce. Marian went down to bed early, and Amy and I were able to have a much needed extended and relaxed evening to share some physical affection and to talk.

Monday, an early visit to a consignment store (half off day - it was packed). We did some work around the house. Amy's been marvelous at keeping the house together - with a schedule for each day of the week. Monday is the day to wash the sheets. Weather was overcast all day, but never rained and was very hot in the afternoon. With Marian strapped to my back, I put up some more reed fence, and cut the first log for the fenceposts. Cleared off the little deck - removing the various grills and just leaving the smoker/grill - built up on bricks. Most exciting, we finally got our compost heap started. Half a blue barrel with the bottom cut out. I cut an old doormat in a circle for the top and fashioned a wooden handle. We wrapped the barrel in reed fencing. Gerri made it back for dinner, grilled pork chops, salad, and broccoli. Marian went to sleep without a single cry - and I finished the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. This was the first time that she has gone to sleep without a single complaint. I was a little sad that she laid down without any protest into child's pose without the need for any encouragement. Gustav was on our minds all weekend, though it was clear early on that Ocean Springs would only get mild storm weather.