Being Neighborly

 My neighbor is great.  She is a hard-working, kind Chinese woman who speaks little English.  The other night our doorbell rings, and there she stands, sun bonnet shading her face, with a bowl of freshly picked tomatoes from her garden.

"Thank you so much!"

I had the most delicious summer sandwich!  Much appreciated.

In returning her bowl to her, she pulls me back into her thriving, amazing garden and fills my arms up with more veggies than I know what to do with.  "Here, take bowl. I no need. I have plenty."

Sweetest neighbor!  How about you?  Nice neighbors?

HEAT AND HEAT

Bubbles seems sad.  Maybe it's boredom.  Summer can be hot and uneventful when you're a fur ball in 'heat' who is suddenly thrown into no walks, no swimming, and *yawn* feeling tired and listless.  I'm not sure which heat she hates the most - the heat cycle that she is in, or the heat of the day.

I hope she comes to life when the weather cools, post surgery next month and going into October.  I've never owned a dog in heat before - so this is all new to me.  I think she's coming out of it though, slowly but surely.

Gracie tolerated summer but was not the biggest fan, especially in her senior years.  Fall always brought a spring to her step and she would become a puppy again as the air cooled and leaves turned and fell to the ground.  I'm hoping the same happens with Bubbles.

*spoiler alert* The dog, that is.

Yesterday there was rain.  I don't know about you, but I enjoy a nice rain right smack dab in the middle of a long, hot summer.  When the rain slowed, Bubbles and I high-tailed it outside for our coveted morning prayer walk around the pool.  I will kick the ball around sometimes for her, if she shows interest, and she usually does a morning potty.  

Later in the day, GP and I left the poor dog home alone long enough to go to our favorite local farm just over the state line into West Virginia, where we got the best corn-on-the-cob you can get (one dozen ears) and some fresh tomatoes, zucchinis, and some peppers.  Summertime is the best time for good, healthy fresh fruits and vegetables!  

Before coming home we slipped over to Hummingbird Cafe for a mighty fine lunch/dinner.  Yum, yum!

Bubbles was alone for all of an hour-and-a-half to two hours.  

Mom and Dad left for days!  I cried the entire time.  I was hungry and alone.  They brought home a special surprise for me, though, so they are forgiven.  Roy Rogers roast beef, which, Mom says was Gracie's fave.  Wait.  I heard Gracie got Roy Rogers every day.  Is this true?  Then this means I should get it every day too.  Hey Mom....

 Every day after she turned seventeen.  When you turn seventeen, we'll see.