I took my rake and went out to the north side of the porch – where are the shrubs are overgrowning. The sun came out and I was far enough away from the north wall that it hit me and I started to get hot. And then I started sweating. I think I worked for an hour pruning more branches and raking the leaves from under them. Once I overfilled the tarp and, you know, it’s a long way to the curb when you’re inching along. I just could not bear the thought of taking some of the branches off.

Sydney supervised from a cozy little spot deep inside one shrub; it did get a little dangerous when I was using the rake to snatch errant white plastic grocery bags and came close to grabbing a white blob that turned out to be fur.

He likes it out there . . . and it is a good time to think with no one being around to bother you. After awhile though, those thoughts are more along the line of heat and sweat and thirst. The humidity was 48% I think. Another thing I think is that I stepped into the droppings of the very large dog that lives next door. Rats!

So, now I am inside that porch, sitting on my trademark sofa, barefeet propped up on the little table and there is peach papaya Lipton Tea in my glass – with ice. Yes!

Sydney is supervising me from a sprawled out position on the floor. He likes it in here too.