Happy Belated Independence Day/Winding Down a Long Weekend

While having Starbucks this morning with an old high school classmate, I looked across the table at her and said with sudden realization "today is Sunday, isn't it?" To which she informed me it was. That took the wind out of my sails as I remembered that I was due into work tonight at 11 pm for our welcome back from shut down meetings. Then back in again at 7 am. Sigh. This weekend went way too fast.

I did make the most of the long weekend. Not that I did much of anything, but I did exactly what I set out to do when I rolled out of the parking lot at work on Thursday. Relax. Two days in the pool with a good book, dinner with a friend I hadn't seen for several months, Starbucks with my old classmate this morning, and here I am back to work on my blog then I'll get busy on the business of book writing.

We've been battling the pesky fox again. I'm down to one free range hen who pretty much either stays in the goat shed or on the front porch and an array of white rooster feathers scattered across the front yard as evidence that the fox paid a visit yesterday. Twice. He was back last evening trying to figure out how to get inside the covered pen with the newer hens, roosters and ducks and in the process dumped the feed container with 100 pounds of feed all over the lawn. So, after running to McDonald's for breakfast this morning, I parked on the back porch with my iced tea, a book and the rifle to see if he thought he would come try to rob his breakfast from my coop. He didn't show. We will see if he rolls in this evening for his dinner buffet. Don't judge. I love animals but I have livestock to protect and after losing an entire flock to fox two years ago, I have no patience or sympathy. I've tried to trap him with no luck since it seems like everyone wants to dump their unwanted cats out here so that's what ends up in the live traps.

I love Independence Day (mostly I love the fact that I get a long weekend) and all that goes with it. This year, I decided to just hang out at home rather than fighting the crowds to go watch fireworks somewhere. Besides, my neighbors manage to put on a show every night for about a week. Hopefully, they are done for this year because we finally got the big red drama queen to come out of the closet for the first time in days except to eat and it's nice to see her lazy hound dog carcass on the sofa again. All the other little maniac does is trot back and forth through the house and bark like a fool.

I am really looking forward to what kind of awesome celebrations we have next Independence Day. It will be the 250th birthday of the greatest country in the world, and after watching the Army parade a few weeks ago, I can imagine our awesome President has plans for an even better 250th birthday celebration for the United States of America. 250 years of freedom because of the bravery of our ancestors who stood up against the tyranny of the monarchy and those who have fought in the many wars following to keep us free after that. Including my father...my hero...who came home with injuries he sustained in WW2 because he loved his country.

The Authors Take Scotland event is only a month and a half away now and I need to get busy ordering books to ship across the pond. Oh! And making sure I apply for my ETA. For those of you who may be planning on traveling to the EU, there is a new requirement other than a passport that went into effect this year. The ETA. Electronic Travel Authorization. Have your passport ready along with a front facing picture of yourself. Not a selfie. Something of "passport quality". I've got to get on that this week when my internet isn't acting like it's being run by chipmunks on a slow wheel.

I just poked my head outside and it is so damned hot. And humid. But it looks like the clouds are starting to build to the west, so maybe we will have a pop-up storm like we did last Sunday. One that brings buckets of rain in a very short time and cools things off for a little bit.

Because of the hot weather, we have been experimenting with salads the last couple weeks. I think my favorite so far has been the avocado cucumber salad with creamy avocado bacon dressing and fresh dill. Second is always going to be my baked potato salad. But I saw one online today called cucumber crack salad that looks really tasty, so I may have to include the ingredients in my grocery order this week and give it a try. Fresh salads and fruits are a better choice for a summer meal when it's miserably hot outside. Tonight's menu is going to be just a tossed salad alongside some pork chops on the grill.

Well, my friends...I think I'm going to sign off for today. Keep an eye out for a HUGE special coming later this month! Have a fantastic week!!