Day 4255

More rain today. We didn't think Dawn would walk at all this morning, but she surprised us and did pretty well. The skies were dark and ominous looking all day, but by carefully watching the weather radar we were able to take our sunrise walk a little later than usual. I was also able to take my long walk later in the day, although I did get a bit wet.

I always watch the morning news while I drink my smoothie and today's news was as dismal as the weather. I felt foolish complaining about anything as I watched what is happening to those people in Afghanistan. Was this preventable? Probably. Will it get even worse? Definitely.

The people in Haiti aren't doing too well either. Janet knows some people from her home town who run an orphanage in Haiti. They keep hanging in there through one disaster after another. I wonder what gives people the resilience to deal with impossible conditions. I cope with prosperity fairly well, but I don't know how I'd deal with sustained adversity. A little roof leak is enough to send me over the edge.

With no work projects to speak of and little to do around the house, I depend on daily walks. I set out on today's walk without waiting for the rain to stop. There was a light drizzle for the first few miles, but it actually felt pretty good. It is almost unheard in Dallas of to have temperatures in the 70's in August. This was the first time in ages that I was able to complete my long walk without getting hot and sweaty. I did get wet though. The local ducks and geese were all in their usual places, but they looked pitiful today. Some of them looked too wet to fly. It makes me wonder where animals go during a bad storm. They must have a place to hide.

I'm glad the pumps are still working. I just don't have the energy to climb up on the roof and monkey around with them anymore. I can't believe that I used to occasionally go up on the roof during a storm. In a few more years I probably won't be able to go up there at all. It's not that safe on the roof and my balance isn't as good as it used to be. It would be nice to live in a brand new house without any problems, but that ship has sailed. It's not going to happen. I don't think a problem free house exists anyway. It's a fantasy.

I made reservations for dinner tomorrow. We don't do much these days, but we do still celebrate birthdays. Time passes so quickly. We were the youngest people in the neighborhood when we moved here and now we're the oldest. We're both still fairly healthy though and have a lot to be thankful for. Janet is two months younger than me but often seems years younger. I guess a positive attitude is beneficial after all.

I'm still a little worried about Dawn's vet appointment on Friday. If they aren't successful at flushing out her bladder stones, I think they are going directly to surgery since she will already be under anesthesia. The surgery is considered very safe, but I always worry about surgery. It would take a lot to get me to consider any type of elective surgery. I think I'd rather live with a bad knee than have a knee replacement.

Hopefully the weather clears up a bit tomorrow. We've definitely had enough rain.

Lucy is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day