Life isn't exactly a game or contest, as I've been inferring this past month, although many are competitive at it. Life is an experience that includes rules, challenges, and opportunities for learning and growth. I know my 'game' or experience of life is well past half over. As far as this summer goes, it is almost half time. Also, soon I'll be taking an intermission from my usual activities and leaving for Costa Rica to attend Britney and Juan Carlos' wedding.
Friday 6/27 - Carole and Allen's house next door has just been put on the market. It feels rather empty with them gone (Carole now in assisted living), but since moving horses to the ranch, I have been so busy there, I haven't been around here nearly as much. I have let our yard and house digress, but am trying to get both spruced back up before all our company comes for the August 16th reception here in Fairfield Glade.
After my usual morning chores at the ranch, I took Amiga for a very short, slow ride. It has been more than five weeks since I've been on her. She was very willing out on the trail, in spite of being stiff and sore (arthritic). I didn't realize she was favoring her front leg so much, until I watched this (video).
And then, Amiga was rushing a
tad as we neared the barn and she tripped stepping over a log. Now she was really sore, only it was on her other front leg. Shoot. It had been two hours since the Osteo-Max by the time I was ready to leave, so I gave her a Previcox.
Dan sent this photo of Luna (or Paco) lounging near Layla. I would like to stop for half time, and crawl in right between them.
On my way home from the ranch, I got gas and a few groceries and swapped my paperback at the library, for a new one.
I sat on the deck for lunch but had to scramble inside when a severe thunderstorm passed through. We got an inch of rain in less than a half hour. More was coming so I gave up on yard work. And then during my two hours at the gym we had several more little pop-up storms.
It had stopped by bedtime and we'd gotten another inch of rain.
Saturday 6/28 - My three kitties (from top to bottom) Mama Styx, Monita, and Babe. 
Monita is always the trouble maker. And then the other two (who have front claws) will sometimes hurt her in self-defense. In fact, she has a sore eye at the moment.
I left for work at 9am. Thankfully I only work 14 to 15 hours a week at the pool, less than a half time job.
Courtney had had a very fun and busy day with Ava. Here they are mid-day (during 'half time') taking a nap. 
It was another hot, busy day at the pool and then I went to the ranch to give Amiga a Previcox.
I was sent photos of the Sidensticks (my brother, his wife, and their three adult children) of their arrival in Costa Rica. Let the pre-wedding fun begin. 
Here they are later in the evening, enjoying a beautiful view during dinner.
I had over an hour to shower, rest, and do dinner time chores before going to The Grove, at Mirror Lake. Micki and Cleet got there before I did because it looked like it was going to storm and I was waiting to see what the weather was going to do.
The dance floor was full when I arrived. I put my chair with the others, took this photo, and joined the girls down in front. 
We girls always have a good time. 
Ya never know what any of us is going to do. We do get a little silly/crazy sometimes, but it's all fun. 
It had really cooled off, and never rained so was a perfect night for a concert and dancing. And the Beach Boy tribute band was really enjoyable.
The band did quit a little early, so I was home by 8:30. I always enjoy my before bed communications (text & Facebook messages) with family. I was getting excited about our trip to Costa Rica.
Sunday 6/29 - My morning started much too early, after jumping out of bed hearing a cat fight. It was Mama Styx howling, through the porch screen door, at Shadow, who was right outside. After sunrise I watched these two deer groom each other for awhile, and took this (video) as I sat here leisurely. 
I skipped church so that I could finish getting the pile of wood chips off our drive before our Costa Rica trip. This truckload full was dumped here on April 22nd. Below, the very last wheelbarrow load to be hauled off. 
Finally, over three months later, we finished moving the huge pile. Joe did almost all of the loading of wood chips into the cart we borrowed from Brian / while I did all the weeding, leaf removal and spreading of the loads Joe dumped in the beds down back for me.
This morning's work was actually in the side yard. All these leaves were removed from around and between the three Leland Cypress trees... and hauled off.
And the remainder of the mulch was spread over the rest of this bed. Why not just mulch with leaves you might wonder? Well they blow away, rot quicker - so weeds grow sooner, and the wood chips look better.
I was feeling itchy from bugs in the leaves and biting gnats, so took a quick shower.
By 1:30 I was headed to work at the pool. It was hot in the sun and the pool was packed. But by mid-shift it had clouded up. An afternoon thunderstorm, with more thunder than rain, cleared the pool and people soon packed up to go when it was apparent it was going to pour. We got more wind than heavy rain, but it continued to sprinkle so the last few remaining customers gave up and left.
Patty sent this photo of an intruder in the chicken coop, camped out in one of the nest boxes. Betty tried to remove the snake with a stick, but it quickly slithered behind the row of boxes and couldn't be reached. Ugh!
I got home a half hour early, but by the time I got all my weekly household chores done, I didn't have the energy to work on the packing process. I started my new James Patterson book.
During chores when I opened the chicken coop, Gloria was laying an egg in the nest box, next to where the snake had been. But I could not see the snake anywhere.
Work at the pool was actually slower than usual, so not near as hectic, even though it was still rather hot out.
Monday's are Mirror Lake Blast nights. Can you see Joe and I on the dance floor in this photo posted on The Grove Facebook page back in May? LOL
At the pool I changed into clean clothes (no cat pee) and headed to town to pick up Joe's shirt at the cleaners. I hit Walmart for some needed travel supplies in addition to looking for ear rings to go with the necklace I was going to wear with my dress. I ended up also hitting three thrift stores before finding anything close to the color I was looking for.
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I got home with an hour to spare before the concert. I managed to shower, do all pet chores, take a ten minute power nap, and pack my cooler before going to The Grove. 'Dreams' (a Fleetwood Mac tribute band) was our entertainment tonight.
Here's Micki and Cleet, two of my much loved fellow dancing ladies.
Joe came for a bit, but didn't stay long. The music started rather slow but after intermission got much more up-beat and fun to dance to. 
It was a good sized crowd and we all had a fun evening. By the time I took the panoramic photo below, it had already thinned out a lot. Many old folks don't like being out after dark. I'm not there yet, but I do go to bed around 9:00 usually.
Tuesday 7/1 - And just like that, it is now July.
Shadow down back hunting. I got a good look at his back end and he is definitely a tom cat, but I haven't noticed any spraying in a long time.
Maggie lounging by the couch.
I canceled a planned ride with Betty because I just had way too much to do. And I was soon scurrying about, doing this and that, to get ready to be out of town for over a week. Cutting cat claws and applying their flea and tick meds. is always one monthly job I hate to tackle. Laundry, filling pet food containers, and cleaning house were also worked on.
I did finally dig up the dead tree by the front of the garage and get this one planted. It had been sitting in a pot for over two months.
Neighbor Sue, who is going to help with Maggie, came by to see what to do. And then I went to the gym for a vigorous workout, since I may not get another one in for over a week.
Britney sent this photo of her at one of (out of three) her bachelorette parties. This is with her co-workers. They were playing a game where they had to guess what her answers were, to a list of questions.
I had an interesting dinner, eating some different leftovers, to clean food out of the refrigerator. Being short on sleep, I was too tired to figure out the rest of my wardrobe to pack, and went to bed early.
Wednesday 7/2 - I had taken a pain sleep aid so didn't wake until 4:30, feeling refreshed after seven hours of uninterrupted sleep.
After blogging I made some final wardrobe decisions, got a load of laundry started, and headed to the ranch to do chores.
I ran a few errands on the way home and then finished two loads of laundry. Joanne sent this photo of the three Pasos after she and
Betty had finished going for a morning ride. I am so glad she is
exercising Rico, training him in the process, and giving him some extra
care. 
I did numerous things prepping to leave, got my suitcase packed and to the kitchen to go out to the car. Then during my shower, I realized I hadn't packed my toilet kit. Phew, glad I though of that.
Half time is officially starting now as we (Joe, Patty and I) head to Nashville for the night, to catch a very early flight tomorrow morning.
