Over the Backyard Fence

School started this week, so our street is busier than ever for about 30 minutes each morning. As I type this, the sound of tires rushing on pavement fills the air. At the end of the block is the local high school and a couple of blocks further up is the middle school. Groups of students walk or bike to both schools each morning. It will quiet down soon, but in the meantime I do’t mind the traffic is friendly for the most part.

This morning there’s a touch of fall in the air. I’m not one to rush the seasons, but am relieved that the dog days of summer have passed. 

Outside my window . . . A workbench that we removed from the garage sits at the curb with Brooklynn’s handwritten ‘FREE’ sign taped to the front. It would be nice if someone came and picked it up. If it’s still there at the end of the week, Dan will dismantle it and discard the wood.

Listening to . . . 🍎 music . . . Jason Mraz I’m Yours

Goldfinches . . . frequent the feeder these days. They nest in August, and the trees in our backyard seem to appeal to them. I love seeing their brilliant yellow breeding plumage accented by black wings and black caps.

What I’m reading these days. . . I just finished The Mayfair Bookshop by Eliza Knight. It’s historical fiction, about 1930s London socialite Nancy Mitford. I know little about the infamous family, and  while I didn’t love the book, it’s always interesting to learn about the WWII era, and to think about how other people live. Curious family. I’m mulling over what book to start next. I have a couple of new ones, but I’m also feeling a bit like settling in with an old favorite. Marcia Davenport’s Valley of Decision comes to mind.

On the barbecue . . . the last couple of nights have been cool enough to eat outdoors. We had salmon last night and the night before barbeque chicken. It’s been fun gathering family around our new patio table, as we haven’t had much opportunity with how hot it’s been this summer.

In the garden . . . garden pots are looking a bit faded, while the rosebushes are coming into another bloom. Our neighbor is so generous in sharing her veggies with us, and zucchini cake is on the menu for dessert later this week.

A favorite photo . . . our daughter-in-law sent me this photo of our son and his youngest. I made it into my phone screensaver and it makes me smile every time.