Fall Is Upon Us....or Is It?

One would think we were still in July around here. Temps in the 90's for days on end. Sometimes it's bearable b/c it's dry (no rain for weeks), but some days it's like living in a sauna. Rain is on the way in about a month....humph....

Things are looking good for Joseph. He's been to pain clinic and likes the doc, who gave him an appropriate amount of drugs to get him thru a day and now he's his cheerful, talkative self instead of vasillating from grumpy orgre to talkaholic. I hope this keeps up b/c he's REALLY a great person and it is SUPER to see him be comfortable. Evidently the doc is going to do something under anesthesia on the next visit so it might relieve the pressure on his spine. That would ALSO be a blessing. AT LAST we are getting some progress for Joseph. He got his HP lap top the day he came home from the pain clinic and now he's on line with AOL and having a time finding out all the things a computer will do. My major hope is that he doesn't get addicted to it, but in his present state of mind he seems to be aware that might happen and he's not going to let it take over his life. He's using it as a reward instead of a habit, thank heavens.

Other good news appears to be that Peaches (the Simba granddaughter) is "with pup" if all the signs are correct. She's whelping about the first of November, so I've got my fingers and toes and all appendages crossed that goes well. She's at Lori's and will whelp there and the pups will come to me when they are weaned. They should be ready to go out just before the holiday week. If something chocolate emerges, it'll stay here for sure....wouldn't THAT be a surprise???

Am trying like mad to lose about 15 pounds before the Christmas holidays, but it's a difficult task. I had no idea how much of a pain it is to resist that midnight snack until I tried NOT to eat one. Until about a year ago, I never even THOUGHT about a snack in bed while watching tv, but it's become a habit I find difficult to break at present.

Was tickled about the chef who won TOP CHEF, and will be watching closely tonight to find out who got Project Runway. I LOVE the program just after Project Runway....the one where two former winners travel across the country and visit people who would never have a chance to have a special garment made for their special occasion. It's a hoot and a wonderful way to spend an hour laughing and trying to guess what they'll come up with. They've been everywhere from a winery owner to a dump truck driver to the newly wed hills of WVa, and all of it has been delightful. It's on LIFETIME on Thursday nights and repeated often during the following week.

The other program that has me mesmerized is about a South African man who has raised lions from cubs as well as hyenas, and is running a farm to keep them safe. It's called something strange and I never can remember the title, but it comes on Monday nights and is also repeated often during the following week on National Geographic WILD. That's the BEST in animal programs (other than NatGeo, of course, and Animal Planet). It often shows scenes which make me homesick for East Africa. The foliage and the fauna all pull on my memory strings and make me want to go back. I only wish I had discovered that part of the world before I got too old to learn and do something useful in the "wild." If I had my druthers, I'd be over there right now studying cheetahs and lions and the like. It's a comfort to know that someday my ashes will be scattered (even if it's only teaspoon) in Masai Mara.

Off to eat celery and drink low cal OJ....this stomach MUST disappear....it's UGLY! MsP