Day 1670: Torrential rain

I hit fifty-five miles today just before the heavens opened up and drenched the parched earth with desperately needed rain! So, that puts me down 7.5 miles behind last year on this date.  However, I was 4 miles behind at the end of May, stayed even in June, and behind 3.5 miles for July. Considering we were away for  six total days at the beginning of the month, I'm doing ok. There are still forty-six days left to finish forty-five miles.  Hope I can make it.

Emma, our Swedish exchange student came by to say goodbye this afternoon.  She just returned from her thirty day trip across America and brought me a rock from the Crazy Horse National Park which I will put in the patio garden. We love her and are so glad we got to know her.  

Ida's Magic

Day 1669: The Fat Lady Sings

Difficult day.  Unsettling news.  To deal, I glide through warm waters gazing at shifting clouds, read one of my favorite books, watch Harry Potter, make deviled eggs for tomorrow's Penelope, clean the kitchen and spend quiet time with my husband.

Predictably, DT attacked Mr. and Mrs. Khan.  Said he has made lots of sacrifices, creating jobs for tens of thousands, building great structures. There is no sacrifice in that.  Work can't compare to the loss of a heroic son.   He has no soul.

My lilies are nearly gone. Fat Lady Sings, which is always the latest to bloom, opened today,  a month early.  But, we got a bit of rain, just the fourth time this month.  Hooray!

Fat Lady Sings

Day 1668: "You have sacrificed nothing!"

Mr. and Mrs. Khizir Khan,  Muslim Americans who immigrated from Pakistan many years ago, addressed DT directly on the final day of the Democratic convention and made a powerful impact.  They spoke of their son, Captain Humayan Khan, who died in Iraq saving his company from a truck filled with explosives. For his sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart

In response to DT's call to prevent Muslims from entering the US, Mr. Khan said, "Have you even read the US Constitution?  I will gladly lend you my copy....You have sacrificed nothing and no one."

I listened to an interview with the Khans this evening and was brought to tears by their pain and grief.  But even more moving was their commitment to taking a stand against his prejudice and xenophobia, his cruelty and sadism.  They said it is a moral imperative to repudiate Trump and called upon McConnell and Ryan to condemn DT. There is too much at stake.

Their interview was followed by one with Tony Schwartz  who was the ghost writer for Trump's book, The Art of the Deal. His assessment of DT?  A sociopath.  No feelings at all.  A blackhole hungering for recognition.

Then today, DT may have leaked information from his first national security briefing.  What the hell is he doing?  He is incredibly dangerous to this nation and the world.

Lemon meringue pie at the Mustard Seed!  

Day 1667: An historic day!

President Obama, passing the baton to Hillary Clinton

Clinton celebrating her nomination

Kaine and Clinton at the convention's conclusion

Day 1666: Fifty miles!

Fifty miles, the half way point of my swim season.  

It's getting a bit boring and very tiring, but I'm determined to keep going. 

Third night of the convention and I am listening to the best President of my lifetime!

Love you, President Obama!

  

Day 1665: First woman presidential nominee!

I never thought I'd see this day, but finally it has come.  Hillary Clinton was nominated for the office of US President. Another crack in the glass ceiling of opportunities for women!  Last night, Michelle Obama choked up when she spoke about how young girls and boys now take for granted that women can become president. 

That wasn't my experience.  I remembering being asked in interviews  for teaching positions back in the early 1970s what sports I could coach, when I was getting married and if I planned to have children.  When we got an apartment, the utility companies wouldn't let me have my name on the bills.  When I bought a washing machine with cash,  they asked what my husband's name was.   Why does it matter? Well, because men usually make the calls for service, they said.  Not in my household.   When I started teaching in FMS, one of the men said, "You won't last, you're a woman."  I outlasted every single one of them.  In the early years, of being department chair, I challenged a few of the men about why they had skipped a department meeting.  "We don't have to listen to you.  You're just a woman," one of them spat at me.  

My life has been easy compared to most women my age.  I've had excellent health, a devoted husband, and a rewarding, well-paying job.  That hasn't been the case for millions of women in this country and around the world.  Hillary has been scrutinized and tortured for years, but she has never given up and she has persevered despite that misogyny.  She's not perfect, but who is after a lifetime of public service?  She's made serious mistakes, but she has served her country for a long time, while DT never has.  It takes extraordinary courage to run for any public office, to expose your personal life to the world.  Most people would have climbed into a hole to avoid the criticism she has endured. But she has been resolute.  There is no comparison between the two candidates.  One qualified and experienced, while the other is a fear mongering narcissist who claimed that fighting venereal disease was his own personal Vietnam.  

!

Our old Molly girl napping in the sunshine

Molly napping with Steve

The deck garden

Flasher family

Day 1664: DNC

More self-inflicted damage and highly recalcitrant Bernie supporters have marred the first day of the convention.  Absolutely maddening!

My solution?  Revel in the rainstorm that passed through this morning, swim a long time, make a couple dozen phone calls for the reunion, take a lovely evening walk and read one of my favorite books of all time. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriott was published in 1972.  I've read it at least five times before and absolutely love it.  It's the story of a young country vet in the highlands of Britain in the year 1938.  The collection of charming stories recounts so many humorous and poignant moments in his daily life as he traveled throughout his district.  Many times I laughed till I cried at the anecdotes.  The perfect remedy!

Ida's Magic

Prairie Moonlight

Solar Flare

Each day there are fewer blossoms and I know the days of lovely lilies are nearly over. Considering the extensive, long-lasting drought, they have been exquisite. 

Day 1663: Star Trek Beyond

Third in the new series, this Star Trek was wild, kitschy, cliched, but fun.  Bones had most of the funny lines while Spock and Kirk were serious and brooding.   Because of the dizzying effects.  I was nauseous through most of the movie.  That's ok, we wouldn't miss Star Trek for anything.

I hit 46.23 miles today and hope to reach 50 miles on Wednesday!  Hooray!

Geneva Grape Escape

Violet Etching

Angels Around Us

Jim's Pick

Lexington Avenue

Day 1662: Wretchedness!

Each summer the Wretched Group returns to perform for two nights during July.

Mostly members of the Class of 1968, the band formed in high school and played local events.  Then, they reunited about ten years ago for their reunion and now it's an annual event.  Some of the original members have now passed away, but they keep going.  Even some of their adult children are pitching in.  They are so beloved that their shows bring many people together.  Delightful!

The Wretched Group performs once again!

My old friend Mickey!

Day 1661: Munich

An all too common scenario.  Munich this time.  A gunman standing in front of a McDonalds turns his weapon on the crowd at a shopping center.  He kills nine, injures more and then kills himself.  Another horrifying scene, grieving families and frightened citizens.  More ammunition to help DT in his campaign.

In Democratic news, Secretary Clinton chose Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate.  He's a safe, reasonable, experienced former governor of a swing state.  Progressives who supported Sanders are angry because they wanted Elizabeth Warren.  I was rooting for Julian Castro or Corey Booker.  But Kaine ultimately is an excellent choice because he would be a good president if necessary.

The best news of the day?  RAIN!  Substantial rain, still under an inch, fell early this morning during a thunderstorm. It was enough that I did not have to spend hours moving the hose among the gardens. Channel 2 reported that the last time an inch of rain fell was on October 15, 2015.  Most of Western NY is in severe drought, with a deficit of nearly eight inches.

Day 1660: RNC

We have deliberately avoided the RNC this week, though it is impossible to escape news intrusions. 

The insanity, racism, narcissism, fear-mongering, misogyny, and xenophobia are too painful to watch and horrifying to contemplate for the future of America. So, I am not going to address the craziness.

Instead, lilies!

Tomorrow, I'll post some of these beauties.

My sons are filling Facebook with music selections as an alternative to the negative political posts.

God Is Listening

Real Wind

Francis Joiner

Day 1659: Exit 59

This evening we joined the crowd downtown in the park to listen to Exit 59, the band composed of our young friends Ben, Ryan, Daniel and a couple others.  They are a terrific band with strong vocals, great instrumentals and lots of energy.  They entertained for two hours and we gabbed with a dozen friends through much of it.  It was a reunion of musical staff!  So nice to spend an evening socializing instead of in a swim coma.

The new college grads were there in a bunch, all adult and excited for their futures.  Ethan is off to tour Vietnam next month and then has a job as a data specialist in NYC.  Deanna will student teach in the spring.  Mark departs soon to become a veterinarian.  Amanda earned a slot with Disney cruises where she will direct youth activities.  Alex is looking for work, and being hounded by his folks on a daily basis.  "Did you find a job yet?'"

Then we ran into Nicole, a 2008 graduate, who is a math teacher in Houston.  She can't wait to come home, get a teaching position, and raise a family here.  She recounted that as a HS grad, she couldn't wait to get out of Fredonia.  When she graduated from college, she moved far away.  But time and experience changes people.   After Thanksgiving this year, she cried all the way to the airport at the end of vacation.  She didn't want to go back.  It's a common phenomenon.  They have to go away to appreciate what they've got.

Big Bird's Friend

Flasher

Jane Trimmer

Pale-faced Geisha

Day 1658: 350 lengths

The temperatures were perfect for a very long swim.  Steve was out so I just kept going. There were no sounds in the neighborhood as I skimmed the surface.  Lawnmowers have been parked for months and neighbors were absent.  No children were playing or riding bikes.  Just silence.  It was actually a little eerie.

Wolfie's Wonder

Where's Westfield

Outrageous

Day 1657: Planning a reunion

We held our first meeting tonight to start planning for our class reunion next summer.  

Fifty years! How did that happen?  I certainly don't feel old enough to be out of HS for nearly fifty years.  But, I am thankful for my good health and age, since many of my classmates have not survived to enjoy another reunion. 

Maybe it's cause I swim like a maniac!

Another 1.5 miles today!

Day 1656: Baton Rouge

Three more police officers were killed and three injured in an ambush in Baton Rouge today.  The country is reeling from the steady stream of violence.  As a result, Cleveland's cops have asked the open carry laws be suspended during the Republican Convention this week.  Gov. Kasich refused.  Trump, of course, blames a lack of national leadership and calls for law and order, but still favors letting everyone carry assault weapons.  How are the police supposed to know who is a threat?  Why on earth does anyone need an assault weapon?  Why is the portion of the second amendment that says, "well-regulated" always ignored?

I hit 36 miles today.  My face is burned and my shoulders and elbow are very sore.  The week ahead promises to be very hot so I'm not sure I'll be able to stand swimming in the 90 degree water.

We spent the evening at a picnic with our Penelope friends.  Carol's backyard was so peaceful and the conversations was delightful.  I ate more than I've eaten in a week because the food was cool, natural, veggie and delicious.

Trahlyta 

Mauna Loa

Mauna Loa

Day 1655: Drought continues

At a picnic tonight in Mayville, we were delighted to see dark clouds rolling overhead.  Then suddenly, raindrops!  Ten, maybe twenty drops.  And done.  On the other hand, my sister braved hours of rainstorms as she drove from Hilton Head back to Louisville.  The air cooled a bit overnight and the pool dropped all the way to 87!  It did make it easier to swim.  I only had time to do 220 lengths, but that took me to 35 miles for the season.  If I continue to swim a mile a day, I'll hit 50 miles by July 31, the half way point.  

Spacecoast Gone Bulldoggin'

Jane Trimmer amid the lavender

Angels Around Us

Double Firecracker

Yazoo Wild Violet

The lilies are spectacular, despite the drought.  

The plants are drying up, limp and brown, but the blossoms survive.

They all bloomed at once and will finish up by the end of the month, I suspect.

Many of the hostas are completely shot.  I simply can't water enough hours per day to keep all the plants alive. I've chosen the vegetables, containers and newly transplanted lilies. Everything else must be sacrificed.  There's two chances for rain next week on Monday and next Friday.  According to Channel 2, it would take seven inches of rain in a month to end the drought and it's not going to happen.  Our back lawn is greener than most, but that's because it's the lowest land around.  I'm expecting water use restrictions soon.