July 5 Our July 4th celebration went well. The day started out hotter than the hinges on the door to hell but around 2:00, which was when our festivities were to begin, clouds covered the sky and, though it looked like it could rain (and didn’t), it lowered the temperature to a more comfortable level. There was good attendance, including some folks that were new to our little get-together. There was even volleyball thanks to Chris putting up the net. Last year there was no volleyball.

People brought chips and dips. Chris grilled hotdogs and there were four varieties of homemade ice cream. Jill and I get a little better each year making chocolate and vanilla ice cream, one bucket of each, each year. Not that the product has been inferior in previous years but we were new to the process and had to feel our way along. Joyce and Janice used to freeze the ice cream but they seemed to struggle with that part of it. Now, Jill and I can crank out it out smoothly and fairly quickly. Pretty soon we may have it down. Our two offerings were completely consumed but all flavors on offer were delicious. It’s just that some people got to have leftovers and some didn’t.

Most of the volleyball participants were sore this morning and more than a little weary. The girls and I are very much looking forward to Red River in the coming week. We wish it would rain here on SA while we are gone.

We were blessed with a nice rain Sunday night. We had arranged with Doc to water my flowers and the garden. The rain made it a lot easier to go off and leave the place, but things were beginning to dry out by the time we got back.

July 12 Red River, NM, our mid-summer haven from the heat and drought, performed its soothing magic on us this past week. It was pleasantly cool and we enjoyed hiking the Columbine trail and early morning walks around the town. The Hunts joined us for dinner Tuesday evening on their way to Colorado and hiked the Columbine with us the next day, before continuing on their journey north.

July 19 Jill and them drove up for the weekend. Vivian had stayed over since Red River week and Jill was going to take her home plus Sophia wanted to show her friend Tyler the sights in these parts. They arrived Friday evening in time for dinner and berries and cream. Saturday morning Jill and I visited The Bagel Place and brought back bagels for breakfast. Then it was off to McBride Canyon. Everyone but me took a hike down the canyon road. I strolled down that road but turned back at the fork. After the hike we visited the Alibates Flint Quary visitor center.

Back home they headed for Barnes & Noble next and picked up some lunch along the way. I sprayed weeds. After dinner they were off to Wonderland Amusement Park where they spent the evening riding the rides. I went to bed. They left for home shortly before I left for church.

After a most pleasant week weather wise, it looks like we’re going back to summer in the coming week. Since we have gotten rain the last few weeks, we’ll have to start mowing and trying to keep the weeds from completely taking over.

July 29 I’ve endured hotter summers, but I can’t remember when. And the three inches of rain we got made the place nice and green but now it is fading fast. At least the grass is. The weeds are thriving, but Rebecca and I are trimming and raking them as fast as we can.