Fire & Ice

100 degrees & 20% humidity: Situation Normal
We won't see rain until November.

Saturday the kids and I tried out the new community pool in Cameron Park.



It's nice.
We're also deciding whether to join a sports club a couple of minutes from the house.
The sports club has a small pool and we used a guest pass yesterday.



Jonathan said the water was scalding. I saw an attendant measuring it.

Driving home, the snow mocks us.

Birdwatching Station No. 1

The birds near the house are different from the birds in the woods, and the birds in the woods are different from the birds in the fields.

In the name of birdwatching diversity, we decide to make a comfortable hangout where woods meet field.



Straight ahead, dead center, in that dark alcove -- that's the spot.

The ground is sloping so we couldn't simply lay pavers (the idea is to get relief from burrs & dust underfoot).
We build a frame of pressure-treated 2x6.



Jonathan prepares a laser; we'll shim the platform to level with cinder blocks.



Waa-Laa! Mary assumes the bird-watching position.
(She's dog-sitting "Snickers" for vacationing friends)



Ditto, Jonathan.

Cool, California

I dressed the kids up and we went to town...



First stop is always the feed & seed -- we read the bulletin board as we enjoy a soda pop


Post Office. If you're expecting a letter, you come here.


Cool large animal vet, Cool child daycare, Cool videotape rental
"All the conveniences of a large city"