Autumn Equinox

   In case I forget, tomorrow is the autumn equinox, the half way point between the Summer and Winter Solstice, and traditionally the start of autumn. It hardly feels autumnal today with the temperature still hitting 27C most days and the nights in the high to mid teens. I can't go in the back yard at the moment as my neighbour has a barbecue belching out smoke to roast her huge crop of red peppers. My red peppers have done well this year but nothing compared to her humungous crop!

    I have made a batch of spinach dip using kale from the garden in place of the spinach and am snacking on it now. It's got garlic, feta cheese and chopped red peppers in it and is quite delicious with tostitos. That just might be dinner tonight as I was out for lunch today. It was RWTO lunch and we had salad, very tender roast beef (with horseradish this time), potatoes and vegetables followed by ice cream in some sort of pancake and coffee. Another meal out tomorrow then I must cut back. I'm scared to step on the scales!

A beautiful rose in my garden - no scent, unfortunately.

Trying to Use Up the Kale

     Yesterday Norton 360 (my security app) wouldn't let me in to any of the blogs I follow, including my own! I think they were trying to sell me a new version but at least I can now check in on everybody. I wonder if they also had the same experience.

    I had my last swim in the pool yesterday (actually two) and would have swum today, after cutting the back grass, except I had arranged for the pool guys to come this morning to drain the system and put the cover on. I thought we were done with the hot weather and called them last week. Next September, if it is as warm as this year, I will leave it open a few more weeks. The water was getting a bit on the cool side (this morning it was just 70F) but when you're hot, it is very refreshing. It's been pretty hot today and at 5:00 p.m. it is still 27C.

   Bi-annual checkup with my rheumatologist this morning and he has sent me for some tests later this week. Other than that he is quite pleased with my state of health and I don't have to see him again until April. After my visit with him I went to the Mall to order a sandwich tray for Saturday's monthly dance (it's our group's turn to contribute food) and then got my hair cut.

   Nothing much for dinner tonight - maybe some butternut squash soup which I made this afternoon - as I am going out quite early to dance group. We always have tea and treats around 8:30 so I don't need a proper dinner. Right now I am steaming some kale from the garden and will use it in a dip tomorrow. There is still loads left and I will have to try to come up with some inventive ways to use it!

Two Meals Out

      Judy had asked me to "usher" at the theatre last night so we met at Panera Bread for a light dinner. I had a delicious squash soup and a Chinese Citrus and Cashew Salad. Judy has been helping out with props at the theatre and even got her name on the program. The play was quite funny and the ushering duties were pretty easy.

    Steve came over with his chain saw this morning to take down the dead Mountain Ash tree in my front yard. It was quite rotted inside. Unfortunately it started to rain just after he arrived so we were quite soaked and finally had to stop when the rain got really heavy. We moved all the branches into the garage and finished the job in there.

   We took a break around noon and went up to "Eggsmart" for lunch - Steve's treat as my birthday is coming up. I had an omelet with a big glass of orange juice, followed by toast and coffee. No need for anything else until 8:00 p.m. when I made a tomato and feta salad, cooked a corn cob and sautéed some shrimp in garlic butter. That should keep me until tomorrow's breakfast!

First Round of Golf

    This summer has really been too hot to be on the golf course but this morning was so nice and fresh I got out my golf clubs and headed down to Dentonia, the par 3 course I like. The first few holes were quite good but I got more puffed as the round went on. It's a very hilly course. I joined another couple of ladies so it was nice to have company.

   Home by 12:30 and spent the rest of the day napping and reading - no energy for house work or gardening!