Please Don't Let the Door Hit You on Your Way Out

That is, if your name is Heat and Humidity.  This past week has been brutal - and when, like me, you are no fan of heat and humidity, it's enough to make you give up. Though I don't like it, in late July and for the month of August, I realize that is summer's M.O.; but in the last week of May, and the first couple of days of June, it's just plain wrong.  Yes, I am more than aware that at least we are not having tornadoes or floods.  And for that I am grateful.  But I still reserve the right to complain based on geography.  The weather forecasters are saying that a rain storm will come along tonight and break the heat, and we'll go back to 70s in the daytime.  I am holding on to that hope ...

My other big complaint (aren't you glad you decided to keep reading?) is that I fear I may lose some of my vacation time.   If you know me, you know that this is the equivalent to Armageddon for me.  I had not made specific vacation plans, since our trip to Ireland last October was likely the only big vacation we could afford to take for a while.  I just figured that I'd take some time when I decided to take it.  Which ordinarily is no big deal, as far as work is concerned.  But then my boss quit suddenly and unexpectedly, and our full-time assistant left to go to graduate school.  And the only other person in my department had already had all of her vacation time approved.  All of which is during June. Our FY at work ends June 30, and we cannot carry over more than 5 days.  Well, I hadn't been using my time since I thought I could take my few days during June, when The Tim had vacation time. So much for that idea.  I even appealed to the higher powers, and was just told that I "should have planned better."  Sigh.

OK, on to other things.  This should not turn into a whine fest.

Last weekend, it occurred to me to take my camera when Dug and I went out for a walk.  We headed over to the dog park, which is within one of the local parks, Schuylkill River Park.  In the past couple of years, they have really fixed it up (not that it was that terrible before), and now it's especially nice.  Here are some pictures for you.

 Community garden

 The park

 Entrance to the community garden

 I love these flowers!

 Community garden gate

 Part of the meadow

Main park entrance

This is all approximately 4 blocks from our house, and you go through a lovely little square with a fountain to go there.  When you walk a little bit beyond the park, you can cross the railroad tracks and walk along the Schuylkill River Trail, right along the river.  There are people, dogs, walkers, runners, cyclists, kids, and it's really a nice place to be.  We do live right in the city, but we don't have to travel far for trees, flowers, and the other sights and sounds of nature.  I think it's the best of both worlds.

In other news, I have signed up for this:

You may or may not know Kelbourne Woolens, but they are the distributors of Fibre Company yarns.  Not only are they local, but both of the owners used to work at  Rosie's, which is where I got to know them!  Added to that, Kate Gagnon Osborn is foster mother to both Pip and Dug!  So when they announced this KAL to accompany the debut of their new yarn, Meadow, I resisted at first, since my knitting is not that advanced, particularly in KAL-ville.  But then I thought about it, and figured, why not?  So I signed up yesterday, and now I can't wait until the yarn arrives and I can see what/if I can do this.  A lot of my knitting friends are also doing it, so I should be able to get some help when I need it.  I'll keep you posted. 

:-)

So that's all that's new here for now.  I hope you have had a good weekend, and that if your weather has been problematic too, things settle down sooner rather than later!