I have had nothing but black spots and Japanese beetles on all my roses this summer; the war has been constant. Here's a rose, though, that emerged from the constant battles unscathed:



As usual, my skills as a photographer leave a lot to be desired. You can't exactly see the really lovely part of the rose; i.e., it's perfectly formed petals barely unfolding. But oh well. You get the gist of it, I'm sure.

I've lost 3 pounds! Yay! 3 more to go... The gf sent an email early in the day yesterday (Saturday) saying, "stop over for a glass of wine later."

Me: No, I'm trying to lose weight! Come over to my house instead and we'll sit out back and talk and watch the fireflies, etc.

(moments later, I sent another email)

Me: Actually, what I really want to do tonight is %##^&!!**% followed by **&^%$#!** [censored -- Ed.]

Her email: I'm so there! [paraphrased]

(a couple hours later, I sent another 'nother email)

Me: I'm thinking I'll probably go ahead and open a bottle of pinot noir but I don't want to go overboard; I've lost 3 pounds!! Please remind me of this later!

She did. But once the bottle of wine was opened, I said, "Should I get out the smokehouse almonds?" She said, "Yeah, I guess so."

Me: But I don't want to eat a lot of them...

She said: You won't.

Me: And I only want one glass of wine...

She said: I know.

Between sitting on the back patio and going upstairs, we stopped in the kitchen and poured another glass of wine.

Then maybe about an hour later, I said, "Do you mind going down to the kitchen and getting me some more wine?"

Her: (heavy sigh) Marilyn, should I just bring up the whole bottle?

You, gentle reader: [fill in the blank]

Alas, a recipe for a perfect Saturday night!! Yay! And I slept in today and I feel spectacular!

Now, I must get to work on the book... Happy Sunday, wherever you are, gang! Thanks for visiting.