A foggy morning. The mornings are so much cooler now. It’s going to be in the low 80s today, so the daytime temps are rising, but I sure do sense a little bit of autumn in the air.

Yesterday, I had to run to the library to return a book and pick up two that I had reserved. Don offered to drive me, as the library was closing within about 15 minutes. On the way back home, I thought I spotted a banner for the Convicted Felon on a neighbor’s house. I thought I was seeing things. This is a neighbor about 6 houses down from us, someone we’ve chatted with on walks. When I told Don, we decided to turn around in our driveway, and drive back there to see if I was right. Of course, I was hoping I was wrong. Nope. A huge cloth banner hanging from the railing of the stoop on the side of their house, with “Take back America” and his name. They deliberately put it there because they are on a corner and the road there dead ends at a very public and well known campground which gets a lot of visitors.

I was stunned. I guess I shouldn’t be, but these people seemed like anything but fans of the Convicted Felon. It’s such a disappointment, isn’t it? It’s not like they are billionaires. They own a modest home and a nice chunk of property. So…they are okay with supporting a convicted felon, liar, rapist, and racist.

Good to know.

I know we’ve all experienced something like this in the past 8 years. I was pretty sure nothing would shock me at this point, but this one did.

We’re taking it easy today. Lots of reading, maybe a little weeding, laundry, etc. I’m reading some books by John Sandford, and Greg Hurwitz, both authors I’ve heard of but never read. They’re quite good.

The garden is still looking beautiful.

Maybe I’ll sit on the porch for a while. But first, we’re going to take a little walk at the library.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Thought you might want to check on on The Dude.

As expected, he’s cool.

The DNC was the best convention I have ever seen. Beyond ‘best.’  In the past, I never watched the entire broadcast from start to finish. I would check in and out, or tune in for the final speech of the night. This time, I didn’t want to miss anything. And I’m happy to say I didn’t. One powerful speaker after another – our bench is really deep – one moment laughing, the next crying. I could try to highlight certain moments, but frankly, there are way too many! (And I have ‘stayed-up-too-late-too-many-nights-in-a-row’ brain.)

Tim Walz. What an extraordinary man. And his son Gus shouting “That’s my dad! That’s my dad!” Pure, unbridled love for his father.

All of it culminating in the best acceptance speech I have ever heard. Kamala knocked it out of the park…out of the universe!

So glad we watched it on C-Span. We got to hear the house band, and watch the dance breaks with the delegates dancing along with the music. No pundits explaining something I just witnessed. Just the pure, unfiltered experience.

I’m feeling so hopeful this morning. I’ve never been a big flag waver. And then the ‘other side’ coopted it when they claimed to be “patriots.” We have taken it back, thank goodness.

Oh gosh, my thoughts are a jumble this morning. Thank you to the DNC for a masterful and joyful convention.

It’s been a week of late nights, lots of mowing, lots of reading, and lots of naps. Oh, and lots of good weather!

More tomorrow.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

It’s 57 degrees out there. What???  It was 61 yesterday. I know this is a brief respite as it will get warmer in the next couple of days, but I’m in the “I’m ready for fall” stage. I had to put on a sweater this morning! Funny how one minute I’m saying I’m not ready for fall, and the next minute I’m completely ready.

Oh, my goodness, the DNC is fabulous this year! We are glued to the television every night. On C-Span, I might add. No talking heads, no cutting away to some pundit’s take, no commercials. Just the feed. There is also a DNC feed on YouTube. Even PBS, which I thought I might try the first night, had pundits sitting around a special set. So we moved on. It’s been so lovely not being lectured on what I’m already seeing and can grasp on my own.

Last night’s Roll Call, with music by a DJ, was brilliant. Each state had different music. For example, Michigan’s music was by Eminem, who is from Detroit. Tennessee’s music was 9 to 5 by their own Dolly Parton. They took something that is usually rather boring and made it joyous.

And the Obamas…there are no words. Michelle Obama knocked it out of the park. I’m still thinking about that speech.

We’re a bit tired because, not long after 16 days of late nights with the Olympics, we’re doing it again. But only two more nights, so we can do it. It’s worth it. I feel inspired and hopeful and I’m watching smart people speak with passion and intelligence, which is heaven.

I mowed a lot on Monday and will mow some more today. The front lawn is getting too long and today with its cool temperatures is the perfect day to tackle it. But I’ll wait until around noon when the grass is less dewy.

My monstera plant is in the midst of its annual spurt of new leaves. Usually, there are 4 – 6 new leaves. What boggles my mind is the fact the the plant knows exactly when to start a new leaf. A new leaf will emerge from a stem – very slowly – and over the course of 4 or 5 days it will slowly unfurl. At the exact point when the leaf has fully opened, the beginnings of a new leaf starts to separate from another stem. How does the plant know how to do this? All the energy goes to one new leaf, then, when that’s accomplished, the energy is transferred to another new shoot. Amazing.

One more of Wren:

The little worrier.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.