Did I mention that I made applesauce? No? Well, I did. Turns out it’s very relaxing. Just a lot of loitering and stirring while the apples mushify.

Now I’m baking molasses cookies and the house smells like Christmas.

Again, more loitering while the cookies bake.

I could get used to this.

Want a chance to win some free highlighters? Check out the Pen Addict’s giveaway link:
http://www.penaddict.com/2009/10/giveaway-kokuyo-beetle-tip-3way-highlighter-5-color-set.html#comment-6a0105355ba1e3970c0120a63d953d970c

Watch out, though…I started reading his reviews and found myself sucked into the pen heaven that is Jet Pens. (www.jetpens.com) Multi-pens are my weakness. Oh hell, any smooth writing pen is my weakness.

There I said it. I’m Mary, and I’m a pen addict. And I don’t want help.

You have no idea how much this helps.

We finally made it to Green Lakes State Park yesterday afternoon, after a day of almost solid rain on Friday (our day off). The water is incredibly clear and green for a lake in central New York. We had lunch at the little cafe at the park’s golf course…BLT for me, burger for Fred. The boys enjoyed the walk, too, though Boo kept eating pine needles. Weird dog.

Here’s some info on the lake:
The centerpieces of the park are the two glacial “green” lakes. Why are they green? The answer is complicated. For one, the lakes are deep. Round Lake is measured at 180 ft deep, while Green Lake reaches 195 ft. Deep lakes tend to appear bluish because the wavelengths of light that can penetrate (and be dispersed at) great depths are those closer to the blue end of the spectrum.

Because of their depth and the high salinity of the basin waters, the lakes are meromictic and do not turn over and intermix waters like many other lakes in this region do. The Green Lake’s cold and dense bottom waters tend to stay separate from the shallower, warmer waters. Because of this, sediment sinks and collects in the bottom and virtually doesn’t decay. Since the sediment is not kicked up by mixing, the lakes do not take on a muddy, turbid appearance like other lakes do. Meromictic lakes also have still, mirror-like waters. The Green Lakes are no exception here. Their tranquil, reflective waters make for great photography.

After accidentally pouring iced tea on my Frosted Shredded Wheat, I KNEW that I really did need a day off. I spent the morning at home…marinated a steak for dinner, made molasses cookie dough to bake tomorrow evening, ironed tomorrow’s work clothes, and updated my to-do list template for tomorrow.

Had lunch with the folks at Nola’s (very good chicken sandwich!), then visited our newly chosen graves (do we know how to have fun, or what?), handled some banking paperwork, and finally settled on their patio. Last time I was over, the chipmunks were running amok. Today, not so much. Probably because I was trying to take pictures. This little guy stuffed at least three whole peanuts (shell and all) in his cheeks, then scampered off under the air conditioning unit. On his last trip, a bird dive-bombed him. He shrieked, jumped, and never returned. I think he had to change his pants.

and the livin’ is…EASY? Hmmmm. Not buyin’ it right now.

Gotta walk. Be back asap. (Translation: Before fall)

After whining most of the night (pain, fear, morphine?) Scout seems much better today. We walked our usual route this afternoon and he trotted right along like always. He’s barking his head off at the TV which is another good sign. Boo’s snoozing, pretty much oblivious to HIS close call. All is once again right in our doggy world. Phew.

Half of the afternoon was chewed up with an after-church meeting. I felt myself fading with hunger and fatigue (I slept in fits and starts, listening to Scout whimper). We had a quick late lunch of cheeseburgers, then took our walk. The day was sunny and 60-ish. Beautiful for this time of year.

After the walk, we took a spin on the Spyder, and stopped at Dunkin Donuts for iced coffee. I’m finally feeling recharged. Sun, wind, caffeine, and a crisis averted will do that.

I’m almost feeling ready to charge into Monday. ALMOST.

We started out on our evening walk, along our usual route (nice quiet neighborhood). Not far into it, we saw a young girl walking a Golden Retriever on the other side of the road. Then things got blurry. The dog dragged the girl across the street and then lunged at Boo and Scout. All I can see in my head is teeth and fur. Fred dragged Boo out of the way, and I TRIED to pick Scout up but couldn’t get my hands on him quickly enough. Somehow I ended up on my knees, shielding Scout. When it was over, I scooped up Scout and saw blood rise from a tear on his right side. Fred flew into an uncharacteristic rage (yelled at the shaken girl), while I told him to calm down and call the vet. STAT.

I THOUGHT that Scout was generally okay, but knew that he needed to be seen. The vet initially said that we should just use antibiotic ointment on the wound, but Fred insisted that Scout be seen and he finally agreed to meet us. Minutes later, we raced Scout to the vet where the doctor decided that, yup, this was a nasty enough injury to require stitches. He injected him with morphine and lidocaine, then went to work. Scout was a trooper. Not a peep out of him.

We’re home now and he’s had his first dose of antibiotic. My skinned knees are slathered with bacitracin and covered with band-aids. Though we’re ALL still a bit jumpy (well, except for Boo who is snoozing away), I’m sure we’re on the mend.

Aren’t weekends supposed to be relaxing?

Books at the Horned Dorset, where we had Easter Dinner.

Now that I’ve purchased MacJournal, I better start using it.

But for now, it’s off to bed to watch The Real Housewives of NYC.

Here are the birthday boys.

Oh, how I wish it was this nice today. Fierce snow, rain, and wind is whipping us. Ick.

Off, in a bit, for dinner with the parents. Wild times.