The New Path

   The pathway reconstruction is underway and is proceeding at a slow pace. I'm not worried how long it takes as I won't have to "pay the piper" until it is done. Today the gang (4 of them, now I know why it is so expensive) lifted the old flagstones and laid them out in order in the garage. They were extremely heavy, some are huge, definitely a two-or three-man job to mover each one. They then prepared the forms for laying the concrete base which will be done on Friday, weather permitting, and levelled the ground. It is an interesting process.

   Just my usual Wednesday at the senior's centre although I was late getting there and took the later fitness class. Very quiet in the kitchen so I left at 2:30 and came home to watch Rafa demolishing his Russian opponent. It is raining in New York so the matches are having to be played indoors. There are two more this evening.

   I took a piece of fish out the freezer but is still half frozen so I will save it for tomorrow. I'll make a quiche instead.

Getting Things Done

   Another beautiful day - still quite summery but the pool is too cold for swimming. We had a good amount of rain yesterday so I put in some Shock to keep it blue. The guys aren't doing the weekly chemical check any more.

   I had a call today from the contractor who is to repair my front walk. He is coming tomorrow to start on it which isn't exactly convenient for me but I want to be here to make sure he lifts the flagstones and stores them so they can be replaced when the base is finished. It will probably take them at least a couple of days. Keeping my fingers crossed that it gets done successfully and to my liking.

   Tennis this morning and I had two good sets then helped Hendrina on the board. The drive to the courts took a bit longer but not as bad as I expected. We finished just before noon so I came home for lunch, a nap and some more US Open. I have defrosted some lamb chops for dinner, one of the few red meats I enjoy and quite a treat. Will grill them and just cook some peas to go with them. Mint sauce on the side.

Labour Day

  The last of the holidays... and easy driving in the city. Tomorrow's drive to the tennis club will be considerably longer than usual. A beautiful day - we were in summer mode at the tennis social today. However, I was praying for the promised thunderstorm to materialize this afternoon as I need the pool filled up. So far just a sprinkle but there is thunder hovering around. It may still come as it is getting very dark.

   A bit of tennis (it was very busy so we only had 20 minutes on the court at a time) and a nice lunch of chicken skewers, potato salad, pasta and greens. Also cake and cookies and as much coffee as you wanted. Not a bad deal and it was FREE!

    I left around 1:30 and have been watching the US Open since then. A couple of exciting matches and the sublime Roger (Federer) is playing this evening. Can't miss that!

   Just some shrimp and the rest of the mashed cauliflower from yesterday. It was very good with lots of cheese, much nicer than mashed potatoes.

A Quiet Sunday

   A very lazy day - it was almost noon until I got myself dressed. Rain overnight so no tennis, and it stayed overcast until mid afternoon. Not warm either until the sun finally came out but the cold north wind seems to have subsided.

   A bit of gardening between US Open matches. The lone Canadian is finally out and my least favourite in the women's singles. There is one more match I want to see this evening then I will switch to something else.

   That's it for today. A piece of rainbow trout and some mashed cauliflower for dinner.