Time flies when you are busy. One week since the last post and it sure did not feel like it.

News: still raining. I have seen a few arks being built (this is the bible belt after all).

I have started a volunteer position as a virtual reference librarian. I had my first shift yesterday, and the first question I could not answer. Well, the only question I received, and still not able to find a satisfactory answer. The shift was mostly boring, except for the question which appeared at the very end (last five minutes) of my shift. I learned a great deal from one question, and I will be able to bring that into the next transaction I am engaged in. My next shift is Friday and is three hours.

A big storm rumbled through Monday night. Our power went down for almost an hour, and the surge burnt out my monitor. I had to go hunting for a new one yesterday, and I found a large but cheap one. I have acreage of screen space. I wish I were rich enough to get one of them huge 32 inch monitors (or bigger?), or maybe three or four of them? :) Technolust engages. gimme gimme gimme more shiny and sparkly things. Maybe I was a crow or magpie in a previous life?

I have a plethora of assignments due this week and next. From my schedule, it looks like nothing slows down until December. I think I will drive to Bermuda and spend the fall watching the surf.

Charlie is getting huge!

The car runs well (knocks on wood.

I am off to make some pesto (basil plant is producing at an amazing rate). Early supper tonight, and then off to class. It is going to be hard to stay awake tonight. I am tired now.

It began to rain Friday night and has not stopped since. Oh, sure, there were a few moments when the deluge turned, briefly, into mizzle, but water has been in the air all weekend. I have hopes that things will dry out a wee bit this afternoon. Still, it is good for the area, should have plenty of water for a while.

Friday was a long day. We have been talking newer car for a few weeks and had (check the tense for suspense) even spent some time looking at options and prices. Used cars are crazy expensive. I saw a 2000 Chev product for almost ten grand. Mind you, it had hardly any miles, clearly a parked and rarely driven car. Anyway, around ten Carol says look at these 4, what do you like. I says, the Corolla looks ok, but more than we wanted to pay. She says, lets go look at it anyway, so off we went. An hour long drive through Texas countryside took us to the dealer. We arrived around 12 and were still in the car buying process at five. Blech. Anyway, we came home with a 2006 Toyota Corolla S. It is a decent car, and I hope will give us 4 or 5 years (or more) of getting here and there. Oh, it is grey in color (notice the lack of u, I am becoming enculturated).

I spent most of yesterday working in one capacity or the other. Running around in the morning, plugging away at some assignments in the afternoon, keeping my eyes open in the evening. Today, more work, I may slip out to the unt library later this afternoon, but I am uncertain if I will do that.

I enjoyed my drives around town yesterday. Even though it was wet and cool, the AC was a pleasure, the tunes were awesome (old KIA had no radio), and I felt confident the car would get me there and back, where ever there might be. I must be getting old when reliable is so important.

Hopefully, sticker shock will wear off soon and I won't feel so scared.

It rained last night, will rain again I hear. Flash flood advisory is out for this afternoon into Sunday. Who would have thought North Texas would be so wet. I am sitting outside enjoying the morning, waiting for some rain to come before I slip back inside.

It has been a quiet week. I have numerous scratch marks on my arms from a specific little kitten. The lawn needs cut, but won't be today. I will be testing a new recipe later today. What else? Oh, course work. I have some of that to do today. One assignment due Monday, another due in a few days, so lots of work.

It is a cool morning (68). The moon is visible through the tree out back, the sky is turning pink behind me, and a jay screams to my left. I hear the roar of ac and traffic. Since Loop 288 opened up, our quiet has faded away. A train is heading through north of me as well.

I think I have the cardinal directions established, at least here at home. It has been cool enough the last few days I was able to skip watering plants yesterday.

Fall is definitely on her way.

Little kittie came home Wednesday morning. We were at the vet's office 1 minute after they opened so we could take him home. He is a cute little fur ball.

From Candc

He is foolhardy, standing at Daph's head as she eats. He is also running everywhere all the time, or sleeping. His name is Charles, Charlie for short. Our big cats have not acclimated just yet, but they seem to be starting to accept him, strange as 'it' is.

My week was quiet. Routine settling in I guess. The night classes are exhausting as I am not used to being up till midnight. So far they are interesting. I am forced to organize my life though. With the three classes I have trouble keeping the assignments ordered. Too many things due at various times and of varying lengths.

Carol is settling into her teaching. Having a blast and working too hard (when Charlie lets her).

September 1

Where did summer go? The temperatures here have moderated to fall values with highs barely breaking 90. The mornings have become cool enough I have to wear my robe while sitting out on my back pad. The cement is cold enough to require slippers to protect my feet. Speaking of which, the ones Carol knitted (crocheted?) for me years ago have pretty much worn out.

I spent most of last weekend wishing I were up north at the big thing, even if I would have had to bring my own food. :) The biggest disappointment so far is the lack of images. Picassa, Flicker, etc., etc., all sit barren of images.

Classes began last Thursday. Already I feel overwhelmed and I have not started the third one. So far they have been interesting. Still trying to squeeze some cash out of the loan peoples, but they are so very slow. Good thing I don't need to eat, right? It is not quite that bad, but they definitely are slow.

Carol decided we were suffering a dearth of cats, so we went to the SPCA Saturday and looked at some potential new owners. She lost her heart to a little baby, who will come home with us Wednesday. 2 months old, pure kitten.

What a pleasant morning.