Summer Solstice

Vroman's Nose overlooking the valley.

Summer has begun! To mark the solstice, my hiking group held a picnic at the top of Vroman's Nose, which is a short little hike up a 657 foot hill. It overlooks the Schoharie Valley and has a beautiful rock 'dance floor' that easily accommodates our group of forty. The weather was a perfect 74 degrees with a breeze to keep any bugs away.

A pleasant gathering on the dance floor near sunset.

I drove Sue Ellen who had her gall bladder removed last week, and we hiked up with a guy who has spinal stenosis. As I listened to them discuss their ailments, I silently gave thanks for my health and thought about how 'mature' our group is becoming.  Once at the top, the party began with burgers and dogs, salads and desserts, and great conversation. 

Most of our group made it into this sunset picture.

Saturday started with me being woken up by my neighbors chatting down below in the street - it was garage sale day. I didn't join since I have very little to sell as most of my cast offs go to the Doors Of Hope thrift store. I grabbed my coffee and went off to chat with my neighbors at their sales and got caught up on the news.

As I walked through my garden I saw that some creature had cut off my sunflowers that I planted out yesterday. Seeing as they were a foot tall and (I thought) big enough to withstand such assaults - they were not. Well five were cut down so I set about making little screen guards to protect the four remaining. I hope it works!

My sun flower defenders made from old window screening and twine. 
Hopefully it works - I love a nice cheerful sunflower!

I set off for The Red Cross and donated a pint of my fine, rare blood, and got a coupon for a free pint of ice cream. I think it's a fair trade. Nothing like blood donation to give me an excuse to do not much of anything for the rest of the day. I went out to dinner but otherwise laid low to produce some more red blood cells.

Today started off with a loud and bright thunderstorm at 5 am. I had coffee while I waited for it to pass, then set about some garden work. Unfortunately I kept getting light headed every time I bent over or exerted myself - very annoying. So I drank lots of water and ate more protein and soon was able to mow the lawn with plenty of water breaks. I really needed to get that done since we are expecting a heat dome for the next 3 days with temps in the 90's!  

This very tiny and sassy garter snake was so aggressive it was comical!
It struck out at me several times - I guess we surprised each other.

The flower garden is filling in quickly.

I've decided on my next renovation project - my shabby little shed. It should probably be 
torn down and replaced, but I'm going to see what I can do to rehab it first.  It will take
me well into the fall to get this job done.

Annette came over for cocktails in the garden and catching up on each others' news. I ended the day with a dip in the spa to the summer chorus of frogs and crickets, while dozens of fireflies lit up the back yard. Sublime.