August Coming to an End

  We are back to sunny days and cool nights but I think things are about to become more Autumnal as there is a strong cold wind this afternoon. Maybe a vestige of Hurricane Dorian?

I think I have shown this gorgeous hibiscus already but it seems to have taken on a new lease of life. There are still lots of buds on it, not that I have been looking after it particularly well.

   I haven't been in the pool for at least a week so I think this summer's swimming is well and truly over. I won't heat it once the nights start to be consistently cool. The pool guys will be closing it up in three weeks and I have overspent my pool budget by several hundred dollars so have discontinued the weekly chemical check. I will stick a puck in from time to time to stop it turning green and will keep the pump running until then.

   Tennis this morning - still a good crowd and a bit of a wait for a court. The smart ones arrive early and get a couple of games before the rest show up, then it peters off as lunch hour approaches. Still some exciting matches from the US Open on TV and still two Canadians in the mix. That's my weekend all organized!

A Change in the Weather

   Damp and dreary today (very Scottish weather), tennis cancelled due to the constant drizzle although I did go down to the club to do a few chores. We have a big social coming up on Labour Day, so got a start on the preparations. 

   I had a date at the bank with Carol and Linda to add me to signing privileges for RWTO, followed by lunch at Linda's. That was it for my day so spent the rest of the afternoon reading and watching the U.S. Open. My current book, "The Suspect" by Fiona Barton, is reaching its climax but I have another waiting in the wings. Hope it is sunny and dry tomorrow!

A Great Day

    Two things to talk about today. The first was a big win at Bridge. My partner and I had been trailing all afternoon but on the last hand we had a huge win (I was playing it). We bid 3 No Trump and only lost one trick so got points for three tricks over and a bonus for making our bid game! It was quite thrilling!!

   For dinner tonight I used vegetables form the garden to make ratatouille. It was very good! I used the one and only eggplant, a couple of red peppers and  tomatoes. There was also a "bought" onion but everything else was from the garden, even the garlic. I think what made it extra tasty was the addition of a pinch of brown sugar and a splash of vinegar. There was also potato salad made with some baby potatoes I dug up. They should really have had another couple of weeks but the plants were dying off so I thought, "What the heck!", and they were small but quite ready.

   So a very good day with lots of positives - plus the U.S Open started today (Serena Williams just beat Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-1) so I will have plenty to watch for the next two weeks. Life is good!

So Lazy!

   I have been neglecting my blog recently - the weather has been too nice to sit inside typing. The days are still gloriously sunny and hot but the nights are cooling off dramatically - makes for a better night's sleep. I haven't been in the pool since last Thursday as it is only 70F and I doubt it will warm up again before it is closed next month. 

   Picking tomatoes like mad and have also had some red peppers, an eggplant and one cucumber which snuck through the fence from my neighbour's garden! I made a very tasty ratatouille last week and added chicken thighs for a very quick dinner. Tonight is fish with, of course, tomatoes (every meal must use up some tomatoes) and probably corn or peas. 

   I had a good hour and a half of tennis this morning (won one set and lost the other) and have just been vegging and reading ever since. Not much on TV tonight so I will watch a movie from the library.

   The family - including the lizard - are back in their own (renovated) home since Thursday but the cat is still here until they put everything to rights. The contractor will be back for a couple of finishing touches and then their furniture will be brought back up from the basement. I can't wait to see the "reveal"!

Second blooming of the wigelia.

The insects love these cone flowers. They have done well this year.