Spokes

Today was really fun.  3 Saturdays out of 4, there are no work commitments to contend with, no clock watching necessary.  Cuddling before getting out of bed is about the best thing in the world that I can think of.  Cuddling until 9am is heaven!  The sky was cloudy and the air was cool-ish, so we donned jackets with our bike gear and set out for the first ride of the summer.  My knee gave me fits last year, which is why I hesitated to ride before now, but doing a few different things seemed to help.  Sliding the seat forward put me in better position.  The disc brake was rubbing on the front wheel, so I reseated it until it stopped.

We took it easy, down from our neighborhood to catch the bike trail and then towards our favorite coffee shop in the next town over.  The coffee is the best, but the atmosphere is great as well.  The interior of the shop has stained concrete floors, very high ceilings painted dark and antique stained glass pendant lamps.  Local artists display their work along the walls and it changes often. Outside is a patio with tables covered by bright yellow umbrellas.  Most Saturdays, a local man comes with his aging Pug who waits patiently while his master gets his cup of joe.

Not having an agenda to keep is so freeing and I feel languid. A better me emerges than when I am pressed for time.

Riding home, I made it up hills that usually leave me panting.  Knee ok?  Check.  We finished out the day running errands by car.  He is silly and makes me laugh.

I forgot to mention that we also rode to my son's work.  He works every Saturday and brings his dog with him for company.  We walked in and the desk was empty with one of those bells you tap for service.  I tapped it.  "I'll be right there."  I tapped again.  "I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!"  Tap, tap, tap!!!!
He came out, laughed.  His puppy barked, not recognizing us in our helmets, but soon enough he was wriggling and licking happily.

Perfect.

Admiring the view

It's been hot for many days and I've been extra lazy and avoided watering my tiny garden. After a cozy dinner for two, I ventured outside to hand water where the soaker hose doesn't reach. Along the back of the house are Russian Sage plants. One is normal size. The other is sage on steroids. It easily tops 6 feet tall. I think I spread those little fertilizer pellets and maybe I overdid it. But it's pretty and smells so nice.

My back fence supports this gorgeous clematis. With our late summer start, this is the second round of blooms. The hydrangeas are next on the hit parade. The yard has not been my top priority this year and just getting it weeded is all I've accomplished. Still, there is something meditative about pulling weeds and letting my mind wander.

Dancing piglets

My niece is 8 months old and the quilt I made before she was born has been featured as the backdrop for many photos. I was shopping for quilting fabric for a couch blankie, but was overwhelmed with the choices and couldn't pin down a feature fabric. I was about ready to leave the store when I spotted a fat quarter with little pirouetting pigs in tutus. Trust me, it is the most adorable print on a sunny yellow background with pink and greens and tiny bluebirds. I had to have it. Well 2 fat quarters of it anyway.

After that, it was a snap to pick 8 more prints. Easy peasy. The quilt is simple: squares positioned so that each print goes diagonally down the length. It's sewn and partially hand quilted. I hope to have it done in the next month or so, just in time to catch the Indian summer that Seattle is famous for.